Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36605969›Full record

ArticleAutism in adulthood2022

Exploring the Experience of Seeking an Autism Diagnosis as an Adult.

Matthew de Broize, Kiah Evans, Andrew J O Whitehouse, John Wray, Valsamma Eapen, Anna Urbanowicz

Open access · greenAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Autism in adulthood, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
30citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
4.4field-weighted citation impact, top 5% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

30 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 72 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Systematic review of measures and interventions for caregiver adjustment to child autism diagnosis.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Community views on the assessment and diagnosis of autism: Principles to guide clinical practice.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Autistic Adults and Loved Ones' Experiences of a Later Life Diagnosis.Journal of autism and developmental disorders · 2026
    Article
  7. Exploring auditory perception experiences in daily situations in autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practice · 2026
    Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Patient Expectations of an Autism Diagnosis: A Thematic Analysis.Journal of autism and developmental disorders · 2025
    Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
  17. Review
  18. Article
  19. Article
  20. "From That Moment, Everything has Changed": The Experience of Women With Anorexia Nervosa Receiving a Diagnosis of Autism.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.

Matthew de BroizeQueensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, MRI-UQ, The University of Queensland The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia.
Kiah EvansCooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Long Pocket Precinct, Indooroopilly, Australia.
Andrew J O WhitehouseCooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Long Pocket Precinct, Indooroopilly, Australia.
John WrayChild Development Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, West Perth, Australia.
Valsamma EapenCooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Long Pocket Precinct, Indooroopilly, Australia.
Anna UrbanowiczQueensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, MRI-UQ, The University of Queensland The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7909-4526
The Kids Research Institute Australia · AUThe University of Queensland · AUChild, Adolescent and Family Mental Health · CAUNSW Sydney · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Emerging research suggests that seeking an autism diagnosis as an adult is usually difficult and time-consuming but brings relief once a diagnosis is made. This study explored the experience of the pathway to an autism diagnosis during adulthood for adults living in Australia. Methods: We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study and interviewed 13 adults who identified as autistic about their pathway to autism diagnosis in their mode of choice. Spoken interviews were transcribed verbatim, and transcripts were analyzed by using a thematic approach. Results: Data analysis resulted in 6 themes and 20 meaning units that described the experiences of adults seeking an autism diagnosis in Australia. These themes involved two interwoven journeys that spanned before, during, and after the diagnostic process. The personal journey involved feeling different, considering autism, and living as autistic, whereas the clinical journey involved missed opportunities, varied diagnostic experiences, and absent supports. Conclusions: Given the potential benefits for adults obtaining a formal autism diagnosis and accessing post-diagnostic supports, it is important that health professionals and governments collaborate to reduce access barriers and ensure adequate services are available. The findings from this study informed the development of Australia's national guideline for autism diagnosis.

Indexed as

adultsautism spectrum disordersdiagnosishealth professionalsidentificationsupports

Identifiers

PMID36605969
PMCPMC9645668
OpenAlexW4200092124

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.