This article explores how you might feel following an autism diagnosis, and the support you may find helpful in the initial weeks and months following your assessment.

Undergoing an autism assessment and receiving a diagnosis can elicit a range of emotions for people. If you have recently received an identification of autism, you may be feeling reflective, angry, confused, liberated, or something different. There is no ‘correct’ way to feel after receiving your diagnosis, and support is available as you work through these feelings.

During the initial post-diagnostic period, you may find yourself reflecting on previous experiences at school or work. You may also start to ‘reframe’ your identity with this new knowledge, adapting your day-to-day life to better suit your needs. The team that carried out your assessment may have provided you with support, advice or strategies that may be helpful in this, such as:

• cancelling, leaving early or taking a break from social events when needed
• setting personal boundaries (for example: saying ‘No’ if you are not comfortable with something; stating the time you need to leave an event; or letting people know that you may not reply to their message or social media post straight away)
• allowing yourself to stim (such as hand flapping) and be echolalic (repetition of words or sounds) as much as feels natural to you
• censoring yourself less (for example by sharing your opinion even when you think others may not agree)
• working to improve your sleep (by creating a bedtime routine, for example, with calming activities, reduced screen time and lower light and noise levels)
• working to create a home that feels safe and meets your sensory needs
• learning to recognise your own signs of distress so you can practice self-care (for example, resting or asking for help) to prevent or lessen overload or shutdown
• scheduling downtime or rest in between activities
• allow yourself to enjoy interests or hobbies, regardless of social ‘norms’
• making a conscious effort to be more kind to yourself (for example by challenging negative thoughts about yourself and accepting that everyone makes mistakes, so not judging yours too harshly)
• re-evaluating your expectations of yourself (for example if you are pushing yourself too hard)
• ‘unmasking’ and working to understand yourself ‘underneath the mask’

Information taken from National Autistic Society website (NAS 2026)

Support is available from the University following your autism assessment. Once you have received your assessment report, please book a meeting with your Disability Adviser to create or update your Additional Support Plan. This may include study adjustments such as extra time for assessments, as well as funded support options provided through Apprenticeship funding or Disabled Students’ Allowance.

You may wish to share the outcome of your assessment with work, if you choose. Guidance from the National Autistic Society may be helpful in this.

The Disability team can support you with arranging adjustments and support for your studies. You may also wish to seek further post-diagnostic support for emotional and occupational aspects following your assessment. Please take a look at the guidance below outlining sources of support and organisations to contact.

• Your GP or healthcare provider can provide information on further support services. This could include talking therapies, creation of a personalised support plan, or referral to another service. You may wish to provide them with a copy of your assessment report to add to your medical record.
• Autism Central One-to-One Coaching: This is a free service for people in England. You can book a one-off session or a series of up to ten consecutive sessions.
• Autism Central Online Group Events: These regular online events are commissioned by NS England and cover a range of topics relating to autism support.
• Information on a range of topics from employment to mental health is available from specialist organisations, such as the National Autistic Society.
• There may be specialist support groups or organisations in your area providing in-person community support.
• If you are UK-based, Access to Work funding can provide you with equipment and support in the workplace.

This article was written by Lydia Williams, Disability Adviser at University of the Built Environment.