Scenario: Alisha
Alisha is 21. She works in a small pet shop owned by Deepa, a friend of her mum. Alisha knows a great deal about the animals she cares for. She is happy to answer customer queries related to pet care. Alisha spends her evenings and weekends at home in her room, listening to her favourite music. She doesn't see her peers from school, unless they happen to come into the shop, and she hasn't made any friends since starting work. Alisha would like a friend but doesn't understand how she can make one. It was the same at school. She found it impossible to join in with the girls' conversations. Deepa has recently suggested that Alisha might be autistic. Alisha's dad is annoyed by the suggestion. Alisha heard him arguing with her mum about it. Alisha agrees with her dad; what use would it be if she had a label? Besides, getting a diagnosis might involve doing lots of writing. Alisha remembers finding it difficult to get her thoughts down on paper when at school.
Q6 With reference to the above scenario, explain challenges that might be experienced when gaining a formal diagnosis of autism in relation to: (4.2)
b) The variety of different spectrum conditions
