Autism Spectrum Condition

What is Autism Spectrum Condition?

Autism spectrum condition (ASC) – including Asperger’s syndrome – is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is a lifelong diagnosis. However, with the right support, people with ASC can lead successful and fulfilling lives.

What are the signs of ASC?

If you have autism, there are particular areas of your life where you are likely to experience barriers:

  • Managing social situations and social interactions
  • Communicating with other people
  • Developing and maintaining social relationships

Additionally, people with ASC may find it hard to cope with changes and rely on extraordinarily strict routines to manage their lives. Some people have very intense interests in particular areas, and dedicate most of their energy and time to pursuing these interests. They might also experience sensory sensitivities (e.g. sensitivity to light, sounds, textures).

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Autism diagnostic assessments

If you experience the symptoms above, it would be helpful to explore an autism diagnostic assessment. Head to our neurodevelopmental assessments page for more details.

Frequently asked questions

ASC can manifest in different ways and can impact different areas of a person’s life. If you believe that it is getting in the way of you being happy in life, therapy can help you learn skills for better managing your symptoms.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) can help you learn how to better navigate different situations and relationships and also build skills for self-management.

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Dr Elena Touroni

Dr. Elena Touroni is a skilled and experienced Consultant Psychologist with a track record of delivering high-quality services for individuals with all common emotional difficulties and those with a diagnosis of personality disorder. She is experienced in service design and delivery, the management of multi-disciplinary teams, organisational consultancy, and development and delivery of both national and bespoke training to providers in the statutory and non-statutory sector.


Having obtained a first degree in Psychology (BSc) at the American College of Greece, she completed her doctoral training at the University of Surrey. Dr. Touroni is highly experienced in the assessment and treatment of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, personality disorder, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, adjustment disorder and relationship difficulties. She works with both individuals and couples and can offer therapy in English and Greek.


Dr. Touroni has held a variety of clinical and managerial positions including as Head of Service in the NHS. Further she has held academic positions for the University of Surrey and the Institute of Mental Health lecturing on specialist postgraduate Masters and Doctorate programmes.


She is trained in several specialist therapeutic approaches such as schema therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). As well as holding a variety of NHS positions, Dr. Touroni is the co-founder of a private practice in Central London that has been a provider of psychological therapy for all common emotional difficulties including personality disorder since 2002. She is the founder and one of two directors of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic.