Diagnosis is best done by a multi disciplinary team who specialise in autism and Asperger’s syndrome. These are rare, expensive and often have waiting lists running to 18 months.

Second best is a psychiatrist who is an acknowledged expert – almost never your local consultant.

Third best is a clinical psychologist of similar standing.

Fourth best is your local consultant psychiatrist.

The value of the most powerful choice is that it will give the most information and be the hardest to challenge.

However, a diagnosis often solves nothing. Whilst it can bring understanding, funding and access to services, this often does not happen - funding and services are in short supply, as is understanding. Too much focus on the condition and not enough on the experience of the person as s/he grew up can, in my view, be unhelpful as it takes attention away from what can be done.