OpenTube

My NHS Autism Assessment: It was NOT what I expected...

FinnTheInfinncible (Finlay Games)

2,126 views

What actually happens during an adult autism assessment? I went in thinking I knew exactly how it worked, but the reality of the clinic visit was a bit of a surprise.

If you're feeling anxious about your upcoming appointment, I hope sharing the unexpected parts of my own experience helps you feel a little more prepared and reassured.

This video shares my personal experience of an adult autism assessment. I've deliberately kept things general, as assessment processes vary between providers, and my aim is simply to reduce some of the anxiety around the day rather than prepare anyone for specific assessment activities.

After navigating the Right to Choose process to bypass the standard waitlists, I finally had my assessment with Skylight Psychiatry. In this video, I'm sharing the honest truth about the experience—from the pre-assessment forms to the final appointment.

Assessment experiences vary widely in the UK, so I wanted to talk through the parts that surprised me, the moments that felt a little unusual, and how the clinicians handled the process.

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🚀 GETTING THE REFERRAL: If you missed how I bypassed the years-long NHS waitlist using 'Right to Choose,' watch that here 👉I Got My Autism Diagnosis Quicker Using T...

💬 How was your assessment experience? Did you find it as unexpected as I did? Let’s talk in the comments—I’m happy to answer any questions about the Skylight process specifically

⚠️ 2026 SENSITIVITY NOTE: If you are waiting for your own assessment, please remember that every provider has a different style. My experience is personal to me, and yours may look different!

✨ Subscribe to follow my journey as a late-diagnosed autistic ADHD trans man living with chronic illness.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Right to Choose Info & Providers: https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/
Skylight Psychiatry: https://www.skylightpsychiatry.co.uk/

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🌈 ABOUT FINN
I’m a trans man and author documenting the "unseen work" of becoming yourself later in life. I share my lived experience with late-diagnosed Autism and ADHD, while navigating life with ME/CFS and PoTS. You’re very welcome here.

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18 Comments

@FinnTheInfinncible Creator 6 months ago Pinned

🐸 THE FROG BOOK! If you know, you know. For those who haven't had their assessment yet, I explain exactly why there was a book about frogs involved in my clinic visit.

2026 UPDATE: Please remember that while my assessment was in person at the clinic, many 'Right to Choose' providers are now moving toward remote video assessments to clear the backlogs. Have you had an in-person assessment recently, or was yours online? Let's compare notes below! 👇

@kaz555 2 months ago

Thank you for sharing. I am waiting for my assessment and I feel a bit reassured. Big hugs xx

@alana6453 1 year ago (edited)

This is so useful! I start my assessment journey tomorrow at 39 years old, it’s starting with the Ados 2. I have been worried about not having a parent to give childhood experiences, I’m glad to hear they didn’t need that for you and made it work.
My ados 2 is virtual!

@geoff_va1 6 months ago

I relate to this. Also diagnosed at 50. I stopped watching videos about the actual assessment because I didn't want to put my thumb on the scale and get a diagnosis that didn't apply. My assessment was also the ADOS-2, but there was no flying frog or how you brush your teeth. My assessment was HARD - hours of conversation!! Exhaustion!!! But I'm glad I did it!

@SlitheringGoo 1 year ago

I'm waiting for autism assessment via the NHS.

@BernadineKuropka 5 months ago

My experience and feelings and reaction were the same as you , except my ADOS 2 was a video call rather than actual face to face on person, and my clinical interview was by telephone . I also was extremely upset, confused and traumatised by the ADOS 2 assessment , I couldn’t eat , sleep or stop crying for a week until I had the clinical interview with a lovely clinician who was so kind and understanding thank goodness.
In fact , I was in such a state and, having waited years to be assessed , they gave me my diagnosis and report after just two weeks.

@ebattershill445 1 month ago

Thanks for doing this it has helped me so much I love the blue green colour swatch on the wall behind you the best but they are all lovely. ❤❤

@leahnicole444 10 months ago

thank you for this video and the awareness!! it’s a shame there isn’t more about autism assessments in the UK on youtube. I’m going with Psychiatrist UK!! once i know what’s going on i’d love to share awareness too.

@FinnTheInfinncible Creator 1 year ago

Don't forget to subscribe for more imperfectly random and honest updates, and If you would like to say thanks, and support my work, please join our loving Friends of Finn community as a supporter or member ( And get Discord access and exclusive extra bonus content!) https://finlaygames.com/memberships-and-donations/

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@sunnyduplan 1 year ago

noot noot i love your t shirt!!! where did you get it from omg!! also thank you for your videos ❤️‍🩹

@KimberlyTheZebraFish 4 months ago

I interesting, as I asked tons of clarifying questions, and talked through them with my assessor. Clarity, clarity, clarity. I still don’t know what the sink thing is about. I was also given instructions to “read the story” to her, however my book was about a boy dreaming or something chaotic. lol. I’m in Canada, but I think these tests are fairly universal?

@Goth237 2 months ago

DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO UNLESS YOU'VE HAD YOUR ASSESSMENT. The tests are the same. There are a lot of things the assessor does that is the same in every assessment and this will mess it up if you know whats going to happen.

@GetDatPromo 1 month ago

I get it II am similar age and recently had my assessment and it they kept task switching before I had a real chance to complete it, it takes me a while to process information, I need time to take it in as soon as I did bang time over next task. I soon realized these tests were just stupid and over 15 yrs out of date and not a useful tool for diagnosing, but by that time I was dis regulated and out of comfort zone, I had a huge meltdown and yeeted the accessors ipad across the table. Not my finest moment but my brain fizzled at that point. And yes the frog book, it is a cane toad not a frog FFS it infuriated me and who eats a ham sandwich with milk,like no just no no no !!

@RhiannonRaven 5 months ago

I didnt have any family who could answer questions about me when I was a child either. After getting the diagnosis I spent a lot of time wondering what my Mum would have thought if she had still been alive: would she think it was ridiculous and not understand or would she think it was something shameful or to keep quiet because she came from an older generation that didnt have an understanding of these things. A little after the assessment I had a message off my Mum's best friend who I decided to tell that I had been diagnosed ASD. Before I could say anything about how I had been wondering what my Mum would have thought had she still been around, my Mum's friend said "oh your Mum always thought you were on the spectrum". That settles that then ! LOL

@darrensanderson2819 5 months ago

I can understand the science of coming up with a questionnaire and resting against autistic and non autistic people and seeing how well it works - but just ask talk to us - the context - double negatives - it’s a form they are hard - hmm faced with the frog I’d have to just invent a totally mad idea about their plans to build a space elevator just because it is such a dumb question

@NickUncommon 1 year ago

My questionair was plastered with sticky notes. And they did the whole battery in one day. It was absolutely exhausting. It was ADOS 4 For adults for me. I was masking but the testing doctor looked right through it. I am wondering, what made them do the ADOS 2 with you.

@christineeberth8280 1 year ago

Thank you for your videos and awarness. It can be very challenging when being in school as a kid and you just get told you are weird...when in reality you have autism and find out later in life that their accusations were wrong and even meaner than they seemed to be.
I have been watching your videos also for am long time due to struggling with my own identity...
I really do appreciate your positive content in a time like this. I was wondering, could I ask you a few questions? Just out of interest on your opinion since you seem very informed and kind, also in the subject of being transgender.
Do you think there is any age too young or too old to transition?
Do you think people who are LGBTQ... should be able to have children?
Do you think it is alright to transition AFTER having children? Or wait until they are 18? Or is there a need to decide between having kids or transition?
What was your earliest memory of gender dysphoria?
Do you have any regrets? (related to the transition mostly)
I am sorry if these questions are too private, you do not have to answer. I love your videos and keep it up, Finn <3