Diagnostic standards, regulatory oversight & patient rights

Understanding the standards that govern autism assessment, who enforces them, and what rights you have as a patient is essential for navigating the diagnostic process effectively and advocating for quality care.

This section covers the clinical guidelines that services must follow, the regulatory bodies that oversee different aspects of autism diagnosis and have the authority over various service providers and individual practitioners, your rights throughout the assessment process and what you can reasonably expect and demand from diagnostic services.

Whether you're preparing for an assessment, evaluating the quality of one you've received, or need to raise concerns about substandard care, this information provides the foundation for understanding what constitutes appropriate practice and how to hold services accountable when standards aren't met.

What you’ll find here:

Diagnostic accuracy in adults - this section highlights the critical importance of thorough and standards-compliant autism assessments in adults

Compliance across services - information on how various health and social care services adhere to autism-related policies, standards, and legal obligations

Regulatory landscape - overview of the regulatory frameworks and bodies that govern autism services and professional conduct to protect rights and ensure service quality

Patient's rights - summary of the legal and human rights protections for autistic people