Client Testimonials
"Although, by its nature, the process brought up a lot of difficult emotions, it was an amazing, affirming experience. The care given by the team made the process feel authentic, rigorous and validating.
I wasn't happy with not having a diagnosis, as I felt like my experiences lacked a framework with which to understand my processing of the world and my lived understanding in it. Reflecting on the questions in the assessment shocked me into realization that what I was experiencing was definitely a neurodiverse issue rather than a mental health difficulty alone. This was important to me, as I had been unaware of this for most of my life and hadn't been looking at myself through the right lens. On a practical front, I think the diagnosis will be useful, relevant information for mental health professionals when they are trying to treat and assess me.
From a self awareness perspective, I think this diagnosis will be invaluable in giving me some methods to approach things that suit my thinking style. I've already started adapting some of my self expectations and adopted new ways of managing people to reduce the stress in my life. Unmasking will be the trickiest thing for me, but now I have a diagnosis, I feel like I have permission to at least let this down even just a small amount.
A diagnosis may not seem to mean much to an outsider. To them it may not seem to change much. You are just you after all. However, as the individual who has been misunderstood her whole life, by herself and by others, it is invaluable information that casts a light on everything and puts things into an illuminating context. Self awareness is a powerful tool.
I would absolutely recommend it. Everyone I interacted with were wonderful, compassionate and insightful. The level of detail in the assessment was amazing. The report at the end was extremely thorough and fascinating to read. I now have a diagnosis I can be confident with."
- Fiona
"As a late-discovered AuDHD woman (I was diagnosed at 34), I can't recommend Becky and Hat enough. I felt so heard, so validated and so empathised with. The process was incredibly in depth and exhausting, but I felt like I was really supported by them. I previously paid for a private assessment, and was dismissed as anxious. It was a really damaging experience. It was clear to me that I needed assessors with lived experience. It felt incredibly important to me to get a 'proper' diagnosis, as although I knew it in my gut, my brain was gaslighting me a lot, telling me I was making everything up and that I was making a fuss about nothing. From the screening call with Becky I immediately felt like I was in safe hands. She totally got me, and I felt like I could be myself with her right from the get go.
I'm incredibly grateful for the support and care shown by Becky and Hat, and would say their service has been the validation I've needed to accept myself more fully. I can't thank them enough!!!"
- A former client
"It gave me a name for all the things I've had difficulties with in my life. I felt listened to, rather than disregarded. It helped me feel like my voice was worth something. The diagnosis has meant so much to me, it has given me the confidence to speak up for my needs, especially when those needs don't line up with people's expectations of me. It has given me some power over my existence that I just couldn't find on my own. I'm eternally grateful for the assessment process and the supportive team at Autistic Girls/Women.
I would highly recommend them, going through this process as a female it is hard enough and having an assessment centre that was for women run by women really helped me. It's not super fast, but it is thorough, and much faster than the NHS! And I was so worried about things being missed or overlooked, I was really reassured by the fact that Autistic Girls/Women is thorough rather than super fast. Very professional, really good at listening with respect and kindness."
- Bonnie
"I had got to a point where I couldn’t wait any longer and needed to know one way or the other. When I got the email regarding my diagnosis I wasn’t sure how I felt but the detailed report I received really helped validate everything. The assessment itself was very well done and I felt immediately safe with the two clinicians whom I worked with. I don’t think everyone has that experience and that’s the difference with Autistic Girls.
"I had been considering getting an autism assessment for more than four years. I really struggle with going to appointments and speaking to people. I felt I didn’t have the mental energy to go to GP and justify why I deserved a referral, and I didn’t know whether I would feel seen. I needed the process to be affirming and with people I felt sure would understand me. As someone who finds it hard to be my real self in front of people, I needed to feel able to open up with the people I was speaking to. This is the experience I had at Autistic Women with Becky and Anna. I felt able to speak - at length! - and freely and to show my true self. Thank you. I’ve got a lot to learn about myself now I have my AuDHD diagnosis. It’s recent and I still feel quite unsure as to exactly what this means for me, but at the same time I feel energised by the increasing understanding I have of myself and what I need."
- A former client
"I would encourage anyone considering a diagnosis or even just seeking a better understanding of whether certain traits might be more than just ‘quirks’ they’ve adapted around throughout life, to seriously consider moving forward with Autistic Girls/Women.
The very first form I completed with them immediately showed me that they truly understand the nuances of how autistic traits often present differently in women, especially compared to the traditional male-leaning diagnostic process.
I know it’s a significant investment for many people, but in my opinion, it’s the best money I’ve ever spent for my health and self-understanding. It gave me the control to approach the process in a way that suited me, and at a time when I felt ready to seek clarity. If I’d gone through the public health route, I’m sure I would still be waiting years.
Claire and Catalina have been wonderful throughout, and Dee was always quick to respond to any of my questions. Thank you to the whole team!"
- Elizabeth
"It helped me understand myself, and in turn be more gentle with myself. For a long time I was always very harsh on myself for not functioning the same way others did. For not "fitting" in as such. I now know why certain things are difficult for me, and I can find ways to cope that actually work for me, instead of fighting against myself all the time. I feel like I've found myself, and understand myself in a way that I wouldn't have without Autistic Girls".
- A Former Client
"I would say that I definitely recommend Autistic Girls. As someone who is quite anxious, Autistic Girls made me feel very safe and comfortable. The trip up for my assessment was quite stressful for me, but being in that room and speaking with the other person was comfortable, safe and I felt like I could breathe".
- Catherine
"It’s allowed me to find the missing piece of the jigsaw to becoming my authentic self. It’s helped me make sense of my life from little girl to me now in my fifties. The gentle supportive process and the excellent Harriet ensured the process was a safe space for my vulnerability. My diagnosis honours my own inner knowing and has been life changing".
- A Former Client
"It has made me understand myself a lot better. I have been given a framework to understand why I behaved in the way I did at various points in my life - times when I felt that I was behaving in a weird or unacceptable or unexpected way. It has helped me to see that I am not just weird or broken but that I am different in a way that can be a gift".
- A Former Client
"The assessment process has really helped me to start to understand myself better. Many aspects of my life now make far more sense. This has also allowed to me to be kinder to myself and also make some further adjustments to how I do things. I also found that many of questions from the questionnaires, the call, the in-person assessment made my notice lots of things for the first time. The main of example of this being sensory differences. I would have been able to name a few before the process. However, this is actually far more wide ranging and impactful that I had realised. Changes I have made in this regard now I have aware have already made a really positive impact on my day-to-day life.
Through the assessment process itself, the lady who did my initial phone call (apologies, I don't recall her name) and Helen who did my assessment put me instantly at ease. They were both so friendly, really listened carefully to what I was saying. This made me feel comfortable especially when talking about some more difficult topics.
I had my assessment in person. I really liked the way it felt informal and relaxed. The environment was nice and quiet, Helen was in casual clothes etc. This really helped it to feel less of an intimidating assessment. I also really liked the fact that Helen typed notes on a laptop during the session. I can see from the detailed report that this was vital for the assessment. However, for me it also was helpful as it gave natural short pauses between questions. Also, it made eye contact etc. feel much less intense. This really helped me to feel much more relaxed during the assessment.
I would really encourage anyone who has looked carefully at what you do and feels they may be autistic to just go for it. I, I'm sure like many spent years deliberating about whether to come for an assessment. This was largely due the fact, I didn't want to waste anyone's time and also negative thoughts about my challenges being about my own lack of resilience, laziness etc. rather than autism. I think can be easy to convince put assessment off especially with negative self talk - perhaps this is particularly true for late diagnosed women like myself where those attitudes are really engrained. Certainly for me it's been the best investment I have ever made for my own physical and mental health. I feel like the diagnosis has been truly life changing and it has given me hope that things can improve in my quality of life for the future".
- A former client
"I felt validated and heard, supported and reassured all the way through the process. I felt as though I was understood through a lens of compassion rather than through deficiency, and by people who had gone to great lengths to understand how Autism (and ADHD) can show up differently in women.
Regardless of the outcome, you'll be listened to and understood".
- Rose
"I feel I can finally realise the missing piece was not missing at all. Just unrealised. I am already starting to see my identity in new and positive ways and I learn more I realise how things I have embraced about myself throughout my life have been my autism and/or adhd. This is incredibly liberating. It has allowed me to talk with my family about some things that I previously could not find language or courage. I know this will be the start of another incredibly important transition in my life and I absolutely know I will use my learning and experience to help others. Thank you.
For those considering an assessment - You have come to this point for a reason. Your intuition which has guided you to this point is not to be ignored. You are truly worthy of taking yourself on this continued journey. It might feel a bit messy and tough at times but life is like that hey! If you are like me you really won't regret and it might just end up being the answer to questions you've always had and some you haven't even thought of asking yet".
- Ruth
"For the first time in my life I felt understood, validated and properly cared for in a sense that the team really understood and could see how much I was struggling. Since the assessment process I’ve felt so much more hopeful about life and I feel like I am finally able to get my head round what’s going on in my brain and why I am the way I am. It’s changed my life in so many ways.
It will change your life and the team gets it. You deserve to take an assessment if it’s what you feel you need. I have struggled for my whole life (I’m 32 now) and I finally feel like I’m able to start living my life rather than just surviving and am able to let go of so much shame and guilt. I’m really grateful to have had the experience and with such an amazing team".
- Louise