OUR AUTISM & ADHD SERVICES
Autism assessment for children & young people (6-18)
An Autism assessment can help understand a child or young person’s strengths, differences, and support needs.
At Provide Wellbeing, Autism assessments for children and young people are carried out by appropriately qualified clinical teams, following NICE guidance and recognised diagnostic standards.
Who this assessment is for
We offer NHS assessments for children and young people aged 6–18, and self-pay assessments for children and young people aged 2–18.
An assessment for autism may be suitable for someone who experiences differences in:
- social communication and interaction
- sensory processing
- routines
- flexibility
- emotional regulation
- understanding social situations
Autism is a spectrum, which means every child or young person presents differently.
How this assessment can be accessed
Autism assessments may be available through different pathways:
- NHS local pathways
Available only in areas where your GP is based and where you reside within an area covered by an active NHS contract. We currently offer assessments through our Mid & South Essex local NHS pathway - NHS Right to Choose
Available only when a qualifying NHS contract is live. - Self-pay assessments
Available without a GP referral.
If you’re not sure which pathway is right for you, you can find out more information by visiting the following pages:
Our NHS Autism Assessment Pathway
Referral and questionnaires
Once a referral is accepted, we may send questionnaires to help us understand the child or young person’s development and everyday experiences.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us and triaged. Your Insights are important, no one knows your child/young person better than you. We review every detail to ensure the process is tailored specifically to your child or young person's needs.
These may include:
- Parent or carer questionnaires
- Self report questionnaires
- Questionnaires from the school or an education setting
- Developmental and background information
Completing and returning these promptly helps avoid delays.
Clinical triage
Our clinical team reviews the information to:
- confirm that an Autism assessment is appropriate
- consider whether a combined Autism and ADHD assessment may be needed
- plan the assessment in a way that best meets the child or young person’s needs
You’ll be contacted to confirm next steps.
The Autism assessment appointment
Who you’ll see
Assessments are delivered by a multidisciplinary clinical team, which may include:
- psychiatrists
- paediatricians
- psychologists
- Occupational therapists
- speech and language therapists
The assessment is designed to be child and family centred, with reasonable adjustments made where needed.
What the assessment involves
The Autism assessment includes two main parts:
1. Developmental history and information gathering
This involves:
- discussion with parents or carers about early development
- review of questionnaires and school information
- exploration of communication, social interaction, behaviour, and daily functioning
2. Observation and assessment
This may include:
- structured observation tools (such as the ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
- observation of communication, play, and social interaction
- in-person observations, including school observations, where appropriate
Not every child needs the same tools, as the clinical teams tailor the assessment to the individual.
Outcome and diagnosis
After the assessment:
- The clinical team will discuss their findings
- You’ll be given the assessment outcome or diagnosis, explained clearly and sensitively
- You’ll have time to ask questions
If a diagnosis of Autism is not made, we will still offer guidance and signposting where helpful.
Written report
After the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report.
The report includes:
- What was assessed and how
- The outcome or diagnosis
- How conclusions were reached
- Recommendations and next steps
Reports are written in clear, accessible language and are suitable for sharing with GPs, schools, and other professionals (with consent).
Every Autism assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of the outcome. Our reports can be taken to school or your GP to get the support and adjustments your child/young person deserves
This may include:
- information to help you understand the outcome
- advice and strategies for home and education settings
- signposting to local and national support services
For children and young people, NHS post-diagnostic support also includes an optional a structured psychoeducation program.
Autism assessments do not lead to medical treatment. Support focuses on understanding, reasonable adjustments, and appropriate support planning.
More information is available here:
What Happens After an Assessment
The Autism assessment appointment
Who you’ll see
Assessments are delivered by a multidisciplinary clinical team, which may include:
- psychiatrists
- paediatricians
- psychologists
- Occupational therapists
- speech and language therapists
The assessment is designed to be child and family centred, with reasonable adjustments made where needed.
What the assessment involves
The Autism assessment includes two main parts:
1. Developmental history and information gathering
This involves:
- discussion with parents or carers about early development
- review of questionnaires and school information
- exploration of communication, social interaction, behaviour, and daily functioning
2. Observation and assessment
This may include:
- structured observation tools (such as the ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
- observation of communication, play, and social interaction
- in-person observations, including school observations, where appropriate
Not every child needs the same tools, as the clinical teams tailor the assessment to the individual.
Outcome and diagnosis
After the assessment:
- The clinical team will discuss their findings
- You’ll be given the assessment outcome or diagnosis, explained clearly and sensitively
- You’ll have time to ask questions
If a diagnosis of Autism is not made, we will still offer guidance and signposting where helpful.
Written report
After the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report.
The report includes:
- what was assessed and how
- the outcome or diagnosis
- how conclusions were reached
- recommendations and next steps
Reports are written in clear, accessible language and are suitable for sharing with GPs, schools, and other professionals (with consent).
What happens after an Autism assessment
Every Autism assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of the outcome. An assessment is a beginning, not an end, whether or not your child/ young person receives a diagnosis. Every Autism assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of the outcome. Our reports can be taken to school or your GP to get the support and adjustments your child/young person deserves
This may include:
- information to help you understand the outcome
- advice and strategies for home and education settings
- signposting to local and national support services
Autism assessments do not lead to medical treatment. Support focuses on understanding, reasonable adjustments, and appropriate support planning.
More information is available here:
What Happens After an Assessment
Our self-pay autism assessment pathway
Under our self-pay service, the pathway for an autism assessment will follow the same process as with the NHS, with a few exceptions:
- We do not require a GP referral. Contact our service directly to register your child or young person for a self-pay Autism assessment.
- Psychoeducation is not required as part of our self-pay service. You will still receive feedback, signposting, and guidance to support your child.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us, and triaged.
Psychoeducation support for Autism
For Autism, non-medication support focuses on:
- understanding individual strengths and needs
- sensory and environmental adjustments
- communication strategies
- planning and predictability
- reducing stress and overload
There is no medication treatment for Autism itself. Support is practical, person-centred, and focused on understanding and adjustment.
Quality and clinical standards
All Autism assessments for children and young people at Provide Wellbeing:
- Follow NICE CG128 guidance
- Use recognised diagnostic criteria
- Are delivered by experienced, appropriately trained clinical teams
- Inclusive, respectful, and person-centred
Not sure if this assessment is right for your child/ young person?
If you’re unsure which pathway applies, or whether an Autism assessment is the right next step, you may find it helpful to visit:
Start Here: How to Access Our Services
Our Assessment Pathways
You can also discuss concerns with your GP or contact our team for general guidance.
TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT
Neurodevelopmental Services
Call 0300 303 9966, email
provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
or complete the form below…
Testimonials
Parent / Guardian of RO, Autism Assessment Customer
The practitioners on the day were clearly very experienced and cleverly managed to get my daughter away from me for the assessment, which I’d not expected. Getting the result so quickly on the day was great and the whole experience was nowhere near as stressful as I feared it would be.
Parent / Guardian of CA, Autism Assessment Customer
Really lovely friendly place with a calm environment for everyone.
Parent / Guardian of HB, Autism Assessment Customer
Very efficient service and really lovely staff members. Hannah made my daughter feel very comfortable.
Parent / Guardian of EA, Autism Assessment Customer
Fantastic service from start to finish! The support over the phone was excellent, and I was kept updated throughout the entire process. During the assessment, both my son and I were made to feel completely at ease. The consultation afterwards was kind, compassionate, and very professional.
Parent / Guardian of CR, Autism Assessment Customer
I don’t think it could have gone any better, all of the team were fantastic, super welcoming and reassuring. Loads of support, cannot recommend enough.
RR, ASD and ADHD Assessment Customer
From booking to getting the assessment completed everything was easy, the service was great and we are very happy with the outcome.
Parent / Guardian of CW, Autism Assessment Customer
Once again, we were treated as a family with respect and care. Provide Wellbeing we are so grateful that you are able to offer neuro-developmental services, and always recommend you to others. Thank you so much!
Parent / Guardian of LT, Autism Assessment Customer
Everyone was so lovely, from the initial telephone consultation several months ago, right through to the day of the appointment.
Parent / Guardian of AV, Autism Assessment Customer
It’s taken us 10 years to get a diagnosis for our daughter after no one listening to us. We can now get the help and support our daughter well deserves! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
NT, Autism Assessment Customer
I was made to feel like an equal, an adult, even a friend. The assessment was a casual conversation where we chatted back and forth. Thank you for making me feel less alone and confused in the way I think and feel.
Parent / Guardian of AR, Autism Assessment Customer
To the special lady who in depth and sensitively took the time to tell us about what she found in the assessment and delivered our son’s diagnosis to us. I’ll be forever grateful.
Parent / Guardian of IE, Autism Assessment Customer
Really simple quick and easy process from start to finish. Absolutely wonderful and caring staff who were so good with my child and were so patient and kind when explaining everything. Couldn’t be more grateful for the team.
Parent / Guardian of EM, Autism Assessment Customer
From day one the service we have received has been exceptional.
Parent / Guardian of AM, Autism Assessment Customer
All of the staff at Provide Wellbeing were welcoming and thorough in their assessment. I highly recommend this professional service.
Parent / Guardian of ER, Autism Assessment Customer
All the team were really nice and kind and put me and my daughter at ease. They explained everything very well and made sure my daughter understood as best she could.
Parent/Guardian of GF, Autism Assessment Customer
The staff were very welcoming, they made the experience very playful for my son. As parents we felt listen to and not rushed.
Parent/Guardian of EK, Autism Assessment Customer
An excellent experience, everything was explained in great detail and we felt like we had the time to discuss anything else we needed to. My son was able to ask any questions he had too.
Parent/Guardian of MC, Autism Assessment Customer
Quiet and bright clinic, perfect for my daughter, and the team are lovely and very informative.
Parent/Guardian of DS, Autism Assessment Customer
Overwhelmingly positive. All staff were so professional, and talked about and to my Son in a positive, kind way. It was so refreshing.
Parent / Guardian of BR, Autism Assessment Customer
The team were incredibly approachable and friendly, which made us feel comfortable and heard throughout the entire process. We truly appreciated the clear communication and the care with which they explained the findings. It was evident that they took the time to ensure both my son and I fully understood the diagnosis, which meant a […]
Support you can trust
Our team provides actionable insights, no matter where you are on your journey, and offers expert advice to help you or a family member on your road to a diagnosis. Our ASD and ADHD services are suitable for children and young people seeking a diagnosis.
