A virtual autism assessment may happen from home, but the process is still carefully structured from start to finish.
At Provide Wellbeing, the virtual pathway follows a clear step-by-step process, from your first enquiry through to screening, assessment appointments, feedback and report.
Virtual Autism Assessments are available for children and young people aged 8–17, where the online pathway is clinically appropriate for their needs. The assessment is delivered online, but it is still structured, clinician-led and designed to gather the information needed to understand your child’s communication, social interaction, behaviour, sensory profile and developmental history.
Below is a simple guide to what you can expect at each stage.
Step 1: Making an enquiry
The first step is to contact the Provide Wellbeing team.
You can ask about the virtual autism assessment pathway, discuss whether it may be suitable for your child and find out what information is needed next.
At this stage, you do not need to know whether the virtual pathway is definitely right for your child. Suitability is checked before an assessment is booked, and the team will guide you through the process.
Call: 0300 303 9966
Email: provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
Step 2: Screening questionnaires
Before a virtual assessment is booked, you will be asked to complete screening questionnaires.
These help the clinical team understand more about your child’s needs and whether an online assessment is likely to be appropriate. Screening is an important part of the process because a virtual assessment is not suitable for every child.
The screening stage may look at:
- your child’s age
- how your child communicates
- whether they can take part in an online appointment with support
- any learning, language or mental health needs
- whether you have the right technology at home
- information from parents, carers and school
For a virtual autism assessment, your child will need access to a working laptop or suitable device, a camera, microphone and reliable internet connection. The assessment is delivered through Microsoft Teams.
Step 3: Clinical triage
Once the screening information has been received, it is reviewed by the clinical team as part of the triage process.
Triage helps the team decide whether the virtual pathway is clinically appropriate for your child. If it is, the next assessment appointments can be arranged.
If the team feels that a virtual assessment is not the right option, they may recommend a face-to-face assessment instead. This does not mean your child cannot be assessed. It simply means that another route may give a fuller or more reliable picture of their needs.
Step 4: Booking the assessment appointments
If the virtual pathway is suitable, the team will explain the next steps and arrange the assessment appointments.
The autism assessment process usually includes:
- an ADOS appointment
- an ADI-R developmental interview
- an outcome or feedback appointment
- a written report
The team will let you know who needs to attend each appointment, how to access Microsoft Teams and whether any information is needed beforehand.
Step 5: The ADOS appointment
ADOS stands for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. It is a structured assessment that helps clinicians observe communication, interaction and behaviour.
In a virtual assessment, this appointment takes place online. Your child will be at home, with parent or carer support where needed.
Parents often worry that their child needs to behave in a particular way during the assessment. They do not. Your child does not need to sit perfectly still, give perfect answers or “perform” for the clinician.
Clinicians are used to children needing time to settle, moving around, taking breaks, feeling shy or needing reassurance. The aim is to understand your child as they are.
Step 6: The ADI-R developmental interview
ADI-R stands for Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. This is a detailed developmental interview with a parent or carer.
It helps the clinical team understand your child’s early development, communication, social interaction, routines, sensory needs, behaviours and current day-to-day experiences.
This part of the assessment is important because autism diagnosis is not based on one appointment alone. Clinicians consider information from different sources to build a fuller picture of your child’s strengths and needs.
Step 7: Information from school
School may also be asked to complete a questionnaire.
This is because children and young people can present differently in different settings. Some may find school more difficult than home. Others may mask their needs during the school day and show signs of overwhelm later.
Information from school can help the clinical team understand how your child communicates, interacts, learns and manages in a wider environment.
Step 8: Outcome and feedback appointment
After the assessment information has been reviewed, you will have an outcome or feedback appointment.
During this appointment, the team will talk you through the assessment findings and explain the outcome. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand what the outcome may mean for your child.
The feedback session is also a chance to discuss any signposting or next steps that may be helpful for your family.
Step 9: The assessment report
After the outcome appointment, a written report will be prepared and shared securely with parents or carers.
The report brings together the information gathered during the assessment process, including clinical observations, developmental history and information from questionnaires.
Parents can use the report to better understand their child’s needs and to share relevant information with school or other professionals where appropriate.
How is your information handled?
Virtual Autism Assessments are delivered through Microsoft Teams. Assessments are not recorded.
Information is handled confidentially, and reports are shared securely with parents or carers. If information needs to be shared with others, consent will be discussed as part of the process.
What if something goes wrong with technology?
The team understands that technology does not always work perfectly. It can help to check your device, camera, microphone and internet connection before the appointment.
Try to choose a quiet, private space where your child feels comfortable. Having familiar items nearby may also help them feel more settled.
You do not need to create a perfect clinical environment at home. The main thing is that your child can be seen and heard clearly, and that they feel as comfortable as possible.
What happens if the virtual pathway is not suitable?
If screening or triage shows that a virtual assessment is not the most appropriate option, the team will explain this and advise on the next steps.
A face-to-face assessment may be recommended if your child has needs that are more complex or harder to assess online. This could include significant communication needs, selective mutism, learning disability, complex learning difficulties or a current mental health crisis.
The purpose of screening is to make sure your child is offered the assessment route that is right for them.
Taking the next step
A virtual autism assessment can be a helpful option for some children and young people, especially where being at home may reduce stress and make it easier for them to engage.
The process is structured, clinician-led and designed to help families understand what to expect from enquiry through to feedback and report.
If you would like to find out whether the virtual pathway may be suitable for your child, please contact the Provide Wellbeing team.
Call: 0300 303 9966
Email: provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
Our team will explain the next steps and let you know what information is needed before a decision is made about the most appropriate assessment route for your child.
