Preparing for an autism evaluation is a bit like preparing for a job interview

Preparing for an autism evaluation when you're actually autistic is like preparing for a job interview when you're qualified for the role...

You're not trying to deceive the hiring manager into thinking you can do a job you can't do... because you're qualified... so you CAN actually do it.

You're not coming with fake prepared stories about your experience because you don't have to. You have plenty of real stories to share. 

You're coming prepared to share those real stories... with specific examples from past experiences and how they relate to the specific job you're interviewing for... to help the hiring manager understand that you have the necessary skills to do the job.

Because how else will they know?

An autism assessment works VERY similarly. 

When you're autistic being evaluated for autism, you're not trying to deceive the assessor into thinking you're autistic when you're not.

You're trying to connect your life story to what the assessor is evaluating for.

You're trying to give them relevant information to help them understand that you are, in fact, qualified for a diagnosis. 

Because how else would they know?

THAT'S why coming prepared with stories from your life that connect your lived experiences to the diagnostic criteria is so vitally important. 

Don't let anyone convince you that this is an attempt to "cheat" the process to get a diagnosis for a condition you don't have. 

This is YOUR opportunity to share relevant information with the practitioner so they SEE your autism... 

Especially when the signs are barely visible because you've become a little too good at masking and internalizing your autistic needs.