Gold standard assessments
Our Approach
We conduct our autism assessments in accordance with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). This means that our assessments are conducted by highly trained autism specialist psychologists and highly specialist speech and language therapists. This also means that our reports are recognised and accepted by local agencies, such as the NHS, schools and local authorities.
In order to provide a ‘gold standard’ service, our clinicians are trained to use a range of clinically recognised tools – the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS-2),
the Developmental Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3di) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R).
These diagnostic assessments tools provide the framework to allow our clinicians to consider whether a child or young person meets the criteria for a diagnosis of autism.
How does it work?
Step 1: Information gathering
We will need you and your child’s school to compete a questionnaire to gain deeper insights into how your child communicates and interacts with others and any specific challenges they might face. We will also need any relevant reports carried out by professionals.
Step 2: Parent meeting
Our psychologist will meet with you remotely to take a developmental history, using the 3Di or ADI-R, which will focus on your child’s current and early childhood.
Step 3: Assessment
The ADOS is an activity-based assessment conducted by a team of two clinicians with different expertise, such as a psychologist and a speech and language therapist. Your child will be observed in our clinic and afterwards, the team will collaboratively review the assessment and jointly score it to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the results.
Step 4: Team discussion
After the assessment, the psychologist and speech and language therapist will meet to thoroughly review all available information. They will then determine whether you child meets the DSM-V criteria for autism or whether their presentation can be better explained by something else, for example, anxiety or learning difficulties.
Step 5: Parental feedback
The psychologist will then meet with you virtually to discuss and explain the findings of the assessment.
Step 6: Diagnostic report
After your child’s assessment, our clinicians will compile all the gathered information into a comprehensive report. You will receive a bespoke diagnostic report with personalised recommendations three weeks from the date of the feedback meeting.
What to expect from an autism assessment
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is diagnosed by gathering information from the young person, their family and by completing a clinical assessment.
The assessment involves a systematic approach and collaboration between various professionals. Following is a tailored guide providing a step-by-step roadmap of the diagnosis journey. Our aim is to support you in clearly navigating this process for your child's well-being.
COST OF ASSESSMENT £2,200 (includes a report recognised and accepted by local agencies such as the NHS, schools and local authorities)
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