How do you know if you have autism?

Tom Denham, almost 30, had long suspected he might be on the autism spectrum but had never received a formal diagnosis. 

In the first episode of The Briefing’s five-part series, Tom embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of Autism Awareness Australia and Sydney University’s Brain and Mind Centre.

So what exactly is autism?

During the assessmnet, Tom reflects on how the isolation of the pandemic led him to question his own behaviour. 

“I think at that time was quite interesting because I think I was externalizing feelings and emotions…There was a moment in a circumstance where I saw a person for the first time in a long time, and I just laughed because I didn’t know how else to respond,” he says. 

His time alone during the pandemic heightened his awareness of certain eccentricities in his behaviour, such as being more introverted or having different social cues compared to others. 

“It always felt like a loose connection illness or something like that.”

Professor Adam Guastella, a clinical psychologist at the Brain and Mind Centre, joins the conversation to explain that autism is a spectrum, and its traits can vary widely. 

Tom admits that he’s nervous about the assessment but is determined to understand himself better. 

“There’s a lot of emotion there,” he says. “I think I’m still trying to find the words to piece it all together.”

As the series unfolds, Tom will explore the impact of his potential diagnosis on his relationships, work life, and the support he might need from those around him.

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