Young Person Autism Assessment
Full assessment cost
£2,395*
*Initial £295 screening fee is deducted
What are some of the common signs and symptoms of autism in young people?
Differences with social communication and interaction
Developing friendships or engaging in social interactions in ways that may differ from peers. Using facial expressions, gestures, or body language differently than others. Interpreting social situations, sarcasm, or humor in ways that may be unique
Repetitive behaviours, routines and interests
Finding comfort in structure, repetitive actions or behaviors, and enjoying specific activities or topics deeply.
Sensory sensitivities
Experiencing heightened or dampened sensory responses, which may include finding certain textures, sounds, or lights particularly soothing or overwhelming. Or being more or less sensitive to internal signals such as hunger or physical pain.
What to expect from the assessment
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Step 1: FREE Initial Consultation
[Online/Phone] (20 minutes)
During the initial consultation, we aim to create a supportive and informative environment. Here’s what you can expect:
Discuss questions or concerns: We will take the time to address any questions or concerns you or your child may have, ensuring you feel heard and understood.
Learn about the Autism assessment process: We'll walk you through the entire Autism assessment process, providing clear explanations and setting expectations to make you feel comfortable.
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Step 2: Screening questionnaires
[Online] (1 - 3 weeks)
Questionnaire results help us understand the young person’s strengths and differences, including co-occurring mental health difficulties
We offer personalised recommendations on next steps in the Autism assessment process to help you and your family make an informed choice when selecting diagnostic pathway
NOTE: Screening costs £295 when completed on its own. Screening is included in the price shown above for full diagnostic assessment
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Step 3: Clinical interviews and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
[In-Person/Virtual] (2 - 4 hours)
ADOS is the Gold-Standard NICE recommended assessment instrument for autism diagnosis across the lifespan.
Two clinicians will observe your child’s behaviour in person using the ADOS in a standardised setting.
One/two clinician(s) will complete clinical interviews (with your child and yourself) to gather additional information about your child’s developmental history and current difficulites.
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Step 4: Feedback Session
[Online] (1 hour)
The clinician(s) will discuss findings from the assessment with the you and your child.
The clinician(s) will also share recommendations for appropriate support based on your child’s strengths and differences.
The clinician(s) will collborate with you to ensure your report includes the information most important to you.
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Step 5: Detailed Report
[Digital]
Following the assessment, all findings will be meticulously summarised in a detailed report. This report will include assessment results, recommendations and professional Insights.
This detailed report can be shared with other professionals in your child’s network, such as teachers, therapists, and doctors, to help build a comprehensive understanding of how best to support your child and ensure they receive consistent and coordinated care across all areas of their life.
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Step 6: Optional Follow-up Services
[Online]
After the assessment, we can offer a range of optional follow-up services to provide further support.
Examples include:
Psychoeducational Support: Tailored sessions aimed at helping you, your child, or other loved ones understand Autism better. We’ll explore what Autism means for your child and provide strategies to support their development.
Therapy or Coaching Services: Individual or family therapy sessions to address specific challenges and promote well-being. Our goal is to empower you and your child with tools to navigate daily life.
Parent or Professionals’ Workshops: Informative workshops designed to equip parents or other professionals in the network with practical knowledge and skills to support the young person.
FAQs
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We know that assessments can be anxiety-inducing and it can be reassuring to have a parent, guardian, or close family or friends with them. Our goal is to make the assessments as supportive and comfortable as possible, and we welcome the presence of family members or friends during the young person’s assessment.
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Only our team of HCPC accredited and experienced clinical psychologists with specialisms in neurodevelopmental conditions will carry out the assessments.
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Opting for a private assessment can significantly shorten the waiting period compared to the NHS.
Another difference is that within the NHS, a GP or school referral is required for an assessment whereas people can self-refer for private assessments.
For the process and results of the assessments, there are no differences between NHS and private assessments. Our assessments is informed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The high quality of our assessments ensures that the results can be used to guide ongoing treatment and support within the NHS and other agencies.
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Yes, they can. We understand that having a neurodevelopmental condition, regardless of when the diagnosis occurred, can be a big adjustment. We offer tailored psychoeducational sessions, consultations and therapy that aims to support and empower every young person we see to thrive with their neurodevelopmental condition. Contact us to learn more about how we can best work together.
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Yes! Optional follow-up services, such as psychoeducational support, coaching or therapy, may also be offered to help you and your family navigate the diagnosis and access appropriate resources.
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Absolutely! We are honoured by the feedback from our clients and are happy to share some quotes that they have given us permission to share. You can find a selection of testimonials here.
If you’d like to learn more or hear more in-depth experiences, please feel free to reach out to us. We're here to help!