embraceautism.com

What is EmbraceAutism.com

Embrace Autism started as a website and platform aiming to distribute research- and experience-based information about autism, especially from the perspective of autistic individuals themselves. (Embrace Autism)
The site is co-founded by professionals including Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht and Eva Silvertant. (AutismBC)

Embrace Autism’s declared goal: provide accessible resources about autism — from self-screening tools and psychometric tests, to articles, guides, and community-oriented support — for autistic adults (and sometimes families or caregivers) who want to understand their neurodivergence better. (Embrace Autism)

What Embrace Autism Offers

• Information & Educational Content — The site hosts a blog and resource library with content grounded in research and lived experience. Topics cover autistic identity, sensory processing, social communication, “masking” or camouflaging, autism traits, challenges, self-advocacy, etc. (Embrace Autism)

• Self-Screening & Psychometric Tests — Users can access a variety of tests: e.g. adult-focused screening tools such as the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS-R), questionnaires for camouflaging, empathy, alexithymia, and other traits. (Embrace Autism)

• Guidance Toward Formal Assessment — While the tests are self-screening or self-reflective tools, the site suggests using them as preliminary steps; for formal diagnosis they recommend qualified professionals. (AutismBC)

• Support for Autistic Adults — Embrace Autism aims to serve not only those newly self-identifying or diagnosed, but adults navigating daily life, challenges, and identity. (AutismBC)

What People Say It Does Well

Many users appreciate Embrace Autism for:

• Giving autistic people a voice — content is created by autistic professionals, not just neurotypical researchers. That helps ensure perspectives are grounded in lived experience, not just theory. (autism.org.uk)

• Providing accessible resources online — for people who might not yet have access to formal diagnosis or autism-specialist services.

• Offering clarity about aspects of autism that are often misunderstood (sensory experiences, masking, identity, neurodiversity), which can help people better understand themselves and make sense of their experiences. (focusbear.io)

Criticisms and Controversies

Embrace Autism is not without critique. Some from the autistic community and external observers have raised concerns over:

• Accuracy of certain claims — There are allegations that some statements on the site (e.g. about visual acuity in autistic people) were misleading and didn’t have solid scientific backing. (reddit.com)

• Overreliance on self-screening tests — While self-screeners (like RAADS-R) are promoted, professional diagnostic guidelines note limitations for online or mail-in use; such tests are not replacements for clinical assessment. (AutismBC)

• Mixed clarity around boundaries between self-help, assessment, and diagnosis — For some users, the website’s framing can blur the line between “self-understanding tools” and formal diagnosis, which carries implications if the output is used in medical or legal contexts.

Recent Developments (as of 2025)

• A report published in early 2025 highlighted the impact of support programmes inspired by the Embrace Autism model (though under a different context, for autistic adults in Scotland via Autistic Knowledge Development and National Autistic Society Scotland — showing how the model has influenced organized support beyond the website itself. (autism.org.uk)

• The site continues to be referenced by autism-related organizations and resource directories as one of the online platforms offering self-screening and information for autistic adults. (Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust)

Key Takeaways

• Embrace Autism is primarily an information and resource platform — not a replacement for clinical diagnosis.

• Its strength lies in providing autistic-led, neurodiversity-affirming content, which can help individuals better understand themselves.

• Self-screening tools can be a useful starting point — but should be interpreted cautiously and, when possible, complemented with professional assessment.

• As with any resource like this, double-check when scientific or medical claims are made; community feedback suggests some past issues with accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get a formal autism diagnosis through Embrace Autism?
No — Embrace Autism offers self-screening tools and guidance. For a formal diagnosis, you’ll need a qualified clinician who uses standard diagnostic criteria. The site itself notes this distinction. (AutismBC)

Q: Are the tests on Embrace Autism reliable?
They can be useful for self-reflection or as an initial screening. But psychometric self-tests like RAADS-R or others are not definitive diagnostics. Their validity depends a lot on honest self-reporting and other factors. Many experts recommend using them only as a first step.

Q: Is Embrace Autism suitable only for adults?
The primary focus seems to be on adults or adults-seeking-diagnosis. Many tools and content address traits in adult life. (AutismBC)

Q: Does the site support neurodiversity / autism acceptance paradigm?
Yes — the tone and structure lean toward acceptance, self-understanding, and empowerment rather than “cure” or pathologizing autism. The content often frames autism as a difference in neurology and identity, not a disease.

Q: Are there criticisms I should be aware of?
Yes. Some of their past claims have been challenged (e.g. about enhanced “eagle-eye” vision). Others caution against overinterpreting self-tests or using them as diagnostic proof. It’s wise to use Embrace Autism as a resource among others — not as the final word. (reddit.com)