Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: Main Research Portfolio

: 1) Quality Of Life In Older Autistic Adults: A Scoping Review; 2) Exploring the efficacy of a UK university-based counselling service using CORE-OM outcome data and service-user feedback; 3) “I feel like pieces of me are missing now”: An Exploration into Experiences of Non-Diagnosis of Autism using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Abstract

Receiving a diagnosis of autism in adulthood can be a positive experience, validating previous concerns, and providing an improved sense of self-understanding. We do not currently have a sufficient understanding of the experience of having an autism assessment and being told you do not meet diagnostic criteria.

This project explored 10 adults’ experience of non-diagnosis of autism. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the participants’ experience.

Four overarching themes with 10 sub themes were identified: pre-diagnostic experiences and beliefs, experiences of assessment, impact, and influences on self-concept. Results suggest that non-diagnosis of autism can be a distressing, invalidating and destabilising experience for someone who has built autism into their personal identity and views the diagnosis positively. For others who have not integrated it into their identity, and may view autism more negatively, it can be validating to not receive the diagnosis.

This study replicated previous research about impact of diagnosis and late diagnosis. The specific contribution of this study is explored, alongside future recommendations for research and clinical implications.

Date of Award	20 Sept 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Cathy Randle-Phillips (Supervisor)