Getting the timing right. Autistic adolescents reflect on the value of an early diagnosis

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Autistic adolescents value early diagnosis for timely support, emphasizing the need for personalized and neurodiversity-affirmative interventions.
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The study involved 18 autistic adolescents aged 16-18, exploring their experiences and opinions on the timing of their autism diagnosis.
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Adolescents experiencing more difficulties in a neurotypical world tend to appreciate the diagnostic label more than those facing fewer challenges.
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The research suggests a shift in the ethical debate on early autism diagnosis from individual rights to a relational care ethics approach.
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Nearly all participants favored an early diagnosis, not necessarily in infancy, to facilitate support for themselves and their parents.

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