Child Autism Assessment
Our child and adolescent autism assessments are specifically designed for young people aged 4-17 years. We use child-friendly approaches and work closely with families and schools to provide comprehensive evaluation and ongoing support.
£2500
Total Cost
8
Weeks to Outcome
0% interest over 3, 6, 9 or 12 monthly payments, with no application fee and no account fee, subject to approval. Finance options · full 2026 cost guide
Child-Friendly
Comfortable environment
Individual Differences
About autism
Autistic people may experience and interpret the world in ways that differ from non-autistic people. This can shape how someone communicates, processes information, experiences their senses, and relates to others.
Autism presents differently in each person. Experiences can vary depending on things like age, gender, communication style, support needs, and life experiences. Because of this, there is no single way that autism “looks.”
Rather than focusing on labels or categories, it can be helpful to understand patterns of strengths, preferences, and differences across areas such as communication, social interaction, routines, and sensory experiences.
Common Signs in Children
(these may present differently depending on the individual)
- Preferring predictability and routines, and finding changes difficult or unsettling
- Strong interests or passions, sometimes with a high level of focus or intensity
- Differences in making or maintaining friendships
- Differences in communication, including use of language or understanding others
- Repeating words or phrases (for example from TV, films, or conversations)
- Differences in non-verbal communication, such as eye contact, facial expression or body language
- Sensory sensitivities or differences (for example to sound, light, textures, or movement)
Supporting School Difficulties
Many children we see are finding school challenging, whether that's managing the classroom environment, anxiety about attending, or experiences such as EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance). Understanding what might be contributing to these difficulties is an important first step in finding approaches that support your child effectively.
Identifying underlying neurodivergent needs that may be shaping a child's school experience
Providing clear, practical recommendations to help schools understand and support your child
Offering post-diagnostic support to explore strategies for managing school-related challenges
Recommendations you can share with your child's school, with optional family support to help you advocate
Common Signs We Can Help With
- Finding it difficult to attend school or avoiding school
- Distress before, during, or after the school day
- Physical symptoms such as tummy aches or headaches on school days
- Significant anxiety linked to the school environment
- Difficulties managing sensory or social demands
- Masking at school, often followed by exhaustion at home
What sets us apart
Timely access without compromising care
NHS waiting times for assessment are often long. Our pathway, from initial contact to final report, typically takes around 6 to 8 weeks. This is achieved through clear processes and efficient systems, while maintaining the depth and quality of assessment.
Integrative team approach
NICE guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary assessment. Each case within our service is reviewed through a clinical panel, bringing together different professional perspectives. Additional input from speech and language therapy or other disciplines is included where helpful.
What's Included in Your Child's Assessment
Our child autism assessments include the key components needed for a thorough and thoughtful understanding, alongside support for families.
Parent or Carer Consultation
A detailed discussion about your child's development, experiences, and current concerns
Child Assessment Session
Time spent with your child using age-appropriate activities to understand how they communicate, think, and engage with the world
Structured Observational Assessment
A structured observational assessment, carried out by trained clinicians as part of the overall assessment process, where appropriate
School Observation (where helpful)
Observation within your child's education setting to understand their experience in context
Comprehensive Report
A detailed report outlining findings, diagnostic outcome (where applicable), and practical recommendations for home and school
Family Feedback and Support Session
A follow-up session to talk through the outcome and next steps, and to support understanding as a family
Why Choose Our Child Assessment Service
We offer thoughtful, person-centred assessments for children and young people, with a focus on understanding developmental differences and each child's individual profile.
Child-Focused Expertise
Clinicians with experience in child development and autism assessment
NICE-Aligned
Assessments follow national clinical guidelines for autism
Family-Centred
A whole-family approach, with support and guidance throughout
School Liaison
Communication with schools to support understanding and appropriate support
Where assessment fits in your journey
A specialist child autism assessment sits between initial exploration and ongoing support. Many families come straight to this step; others ease in via Initial Support first.
Initial Support
Not sure if assessment is the right next step? Our Initial Support sessions offer practical, neurodiversity-informed guidance with no commitment to a full pathway.
Child Autism Assessment
A thorough, child-friendly autism evaluation using ADOS-2, parent/carer interviews and school input — with a clear, plain-English report your family and school can use.
Post-Diagnostic Support
Diagnosis is a starting point, not a destination. Make sense of your identity through 1:1 programmes, small group cohorts, or flexible pay-as-you-go sessions.
Seven clear steps, with flexibility where needed
We've designed every step of our child autism assessment to be clear, well-structured, and shaped around your family. From your first call right through to a results conversation — here's exactly what to expect.
Step 1 · Sent immediately on booking · ideally returned within 4 days
Information gathering
You'll receive a comprehensive pre-assessment questionnaire to complete online. This covers early development, school, sensory profile and current concerns, and gives us more time during appointments to get to know your child.
- Online questionnaires you can complete at your own pace
- Developmental, school and sensory background gathered
- School information requested with your consent
- A child-specialist clinician matched to your case
Step 2 · Within 48 hours of questionnaires returned · 30-60 minutes
Initial consultation
Once we've received your completed questionnaires, your child's assigned clinician arranges a consultation within 48 hours. This is a chance to talk through what you're noticing, ask any questions, and decide together if assessment is the right next step.
- Discuss what you've noticed at home and at school
- Talk through how a child autism assessment works
- Decide together whether assessment is the right next step
- Discuss reasonable adjustments and session comfort
Step 3 · Within 48 hours of your consultation
Confirm your appointment
Once we've reviewed the background information, we book your child's assessment room and confirm everything you need. Choose a time that works around school at one of our calm, autism-friendly venues — or online if that suits your child better.
- Pick an appointment time that works around school
- Email confirmation with venue details and what to bring
- Clear, child-friendly preparation guidance
- Sensory-considered, autism-friendly clinic spaces
Step 4 · Assessment day · 2 hours
Your child's first assessment session
This session focuses on getting to know your child as an individual. Through a combination of structured activities and more open interaction, the clinician builds an understanding of how your child communicates, what they enjoy, and how they experience the world.
- Age-appropriate, play-based activities
- Breaks as needed; comfort items welcome
- Strengths-based rapport building
- A calm, sensory-considered space
Step 5 · 2 hours
Session 2 – building a fuller picture
A second session allows us to spend more time with your child and to build on what we've already learned. This helps us develop a deeper understanding of their experiences and ensures the assessment is grounded in enough detail and observation.
- Standardised measures (e.g., ADOS-2) where needed
- Continued, child-led activities with the same clinician
- Revisit content in greater depth
- Incorporation of second specialised clinician where needed
Step 6 · 1-2 weeks after your last session
Multi-disciplinary panel review
All assessment information is reviewed within a multidisciplinary panel, chaired by a Clinical Psychologist, in line with NICE guidelines. This is where the outcome is carefully considered, including whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate or whether another explanation or formulation better reflects the full picture.
- All assessment and historic data carefully reviewed
- School information considered alongside clinical findings
- Multi-disciplinary input
- A thorough, evidence-based decision
Step 7 · Up to 7 days after panel · 30 minutes
Your feedback
You'll receive a detailed report written in clear, accessible language and meet with your clinician to go through the findings together. This session focuses on understanding, answering questions, and planning next steps.
- Clear, accessible written report
- Practical recommendations for home and school
- Designed to be helpful regardless of the outcome
- Discussion of next steps and available support
Ongoing Support
Receiving a diagnosis is one part of the process. We offer structured support options to help you understand the outcome, adjust where needed, and move forward, including individual sessions and group-based support.
1:1 Identity Programme
6 personalised sessions
£800
Identity Group
6-week peer group programme
£600
Flexible Sessions
Book as and when you need
£150 per session
Children and parents we’ve worked with
Reflections and feedback from children and parents our clinicians have supported through autism assessment.
"Understanding how our child thinks and processes things has been really important. It’s helped us respond in a way that makes more sense for them."
Helen (Parent)
"It really helped to be able to share our concerns in writing at the start, rather than having to talk about everything in front of our child."
Joy (Parent)
"The process felt thoughtful and well-paced. Our child was given time to feel comfortable, which made a big difference to how the assessment went."
Priya
Real Family Stories
How understanding led to solutions for a child who had stopped attending school.
The Patel Family
Birmingham
The Challenge
Our daughter Priya had always been anxious about school, but by Year 5 she had stopped going altogether. Every morning was a battle - tears, panic attacks, hiding under her bed. The school called it 'school refusal' and we felt judged as parents. We'd tried everything but nothing worked. After months of no school attendance, we were desperate for answers.
The Experience
The team understood immediately that this wasn't a behaviour problem. During the assessment, they took time to really listen to Priya - her sensory experiences, her social anxieties, how overwhelming the school environment felt to her. They didn't rush or pressure her. For the first time, someone was looking at WHY she was struggling, not just telling us to get her to school.
The Outcome
The autism diagnosis was a turning point. Suddenly everything made sense - the sensory overload, the social exhaustion, the anxiety that had been building for years. With the detailed report, we worked with the school to make real changes. Priya now has a reduced timetable, a quiet space to decompress, and teachers who understand her needs. She's back in school part-time and actually smiling again. We're taking it step by step, but there's hope now.
"For months we felt like failures as parents. Getting the diagnosis helped everyone understand that Priya wasn't refusing school - she genuinely couldn't cope with it. Now we're working together on solutions instead of fighting against each other."
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our child and adolescent autism assessment service.
We assess children and young people aged 4 to 17. Our approach is adapted to be appropriate for each stage of development.
You don't need to have all the answers
It's completely normal to feel uncertain or overwhelmed. Many families reach out to us with questions, concerns, or simply a feeling that something might need support. There's no pressure - just a conversation to help you understand your options and find the right path forward.