Access to services and support

Your diagnostic report is often the gateway document for accessing:

• NHS Scotland Adult Autism Services and post-diagnostic support

• Local authority social care assessments and support

• Access to Work funding for workplace accommodations

• University disability services and academic support

• Housing adaptations and support services

Legal protections

Under the Equality Act 2010, your report provides:

• Evidence of disability status for reasonable adjustments

• Protection against discrimination in employment, education, services

• Legal basis for challenging inadequate accommodations

• Documentation for tribunal or legal proceedings if needed

Why functionality matters here: Vague statements like 'has some social difficulties' won't persuade an employer to provide accommodations. You need specific, evidence-based descriptions of functional impacts and clear recommendations.

Legal & administrative function

Clinical & healthcare function

Ongoing medical care

A functional report:

• Informs future healthcare providers about autism-relevant considerations

• Guides mental health treatment with autism-informed approaches

• Alerts medical professionals to sensory sensitivities, communication preferences

• Explains comorbidities and their relationship to autism

Medication and treatment decisions

• Explains how autism affects response to medications

• Identifies contraindications (e.g., medications affecting sensory processing)

• Guides therapy approaches towards autism-appropriate methods

• Informs crisis care about autism-specific needs

Why functionality matters here: 'Patient has autism' doesn't help an A&E doctor understand why someone can't tolerate fluorescent lighting or needs written rather than verbal instructions during medical procedures.

Personal & self-advocacy function

Practical support & accommodations

Self-understanding

A comprehensive report provides:

• Framework for understanding lifelong experiences and challenges

• Validation that difficulties are real and neurologically based

• Identification of strengths and positive autism traits

• Explanation of masking and compensatory strategies

Personal advocacy

• Language and terminology to explain needs to others

• Evidence-based explanations for accommodations requests

• Specific examples of how autism affects daily functioning

• Professional validation of support needs

Why functionality matters here: Understanding that you have 'restricted interests' is less useful than understanding how your intense focus on specific topics affects work productivity, relationship dynamics, and daily planning.

Workplace accommodations

A functional report enables:

• Specific environmental modifications (lighting, noise, workspace design)

• Communication accommodations (written instructions, meeting formats)

• Flexible working arrangements (remote work, modified schedules)

• Sensory accommodations (noise-cancelling equipment, lighting adjustments)

Daily living support

• Identification of support needs for independent living

• Strategies for managing sensory overload, executive function challenges

• Recommendations for routine, structure, and predictability

• Guidance on stress management and burnout prevention

Why functionality matters here: 'Needs support with social communication' doesn't tell an employer what to do. 'Requires written meeting agendas 24 hours in advance and struggles with open-plan office noise levels' provides actionable guidance.

Educational & professional function

Accountability & quality assurance

For other professionals

Your report serves as:

• Educational resource for professionals unfamiliar with adult autism

• Evidence base for autism-informed approaches

• Template for understanding autism presentation patterns

• Quality benchmark for other assessment services

For family and support networks

• Explanation of autism in the context of this specific individual

• Guidance for family members on communication and support

• Validation of family observations and concerns

• Framework for understanding relationship dynamics

Clinical accountability

A comprehensive report demonstrates:

• Evidence-based assessment process following SIGN 145

• Transparent clinical reasoning and diagnostic formulation

• Quality of evaluation meeting professional standards

• Basis for challenging inadequate assessments

Service planning

Reports contribute to:

• Service development and improvement

• Training needs identification for professionals

• Resource allocation for support services

• Policy development for autism services

Functional report characteristics

Non-functional report problems

• ✔️ Specific, observable examples of autism traits in real-world contexts

• ✔️ Clear recommendations with actionable guidance

• ✔️ Integration of assessment results with practical implications

• ✔️ Detailed care planning with timelines and referrals

• ✔️ Evidence-based justification for diagnostic conclusions

• ✔️ Accessible language that non-specialists can understand and use

• ❌ Vague generalisations without specific examples

• ❌ Technical jargon without practical translation

• ❌ Missing recommendations or care planning

• ❌ Brief conclusions without supporting evidence

• ❌ No consideration of real-world functional impact

• ❌ Lack of integration with existing services