OUR AUTISM & ADHD SERVICES

What happens during an assessment

We understand that waiting for an Autism or ADHD assessment, and not knowing what to expect, can feel worrying.

This page explains, step by step, what usually happens during a neurodevelopmental assessment, so you know what to expect before, during, and after appointments.

While some details may vary slightly depending on the pathway and individual needs, all assessments follow recognised clinical standards and guidance.

Our goal is to make the assessment process feel less like a clinical appointment and more like a supportive conversation. We prioritise your comfort and ensure that your voice and your child/young person’s voice is heard every step of the way.

Before the assessment

Referral and initial contact

How the referral happens depends on the pathway:

NHS pathways: your GP sends a referral
Self-pay pathways: you contact us directly

Once a referral is accepted, our team will:

Contact you to explain the next steps
Check whether any reasonable adjustments are needed (for example, communication, sensory needs, or accessibility)

Questionnaires and information gathering

Before the assessment, we will ask for information to help us understand strengths, needs, and everyday experiences.

Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed and returned to us.

This may include:

Questionnaires for parents or carers
Questionnaires from school or education settings
Self-report questionnaires (where appropriate)
Background and developmental history

Completing these forms fully and returning them promptly helps avoid delays.

Clinical triage

Once questionnaires are returned, our clinical team reviews the information.

This helps us to:

Confirm the most appropriate assessment pathway
Decide whether an Autism assessment, ADHD assessment, or combined assessment is needed
Plan the assessment in a way that best meets the individual’s needs

You’ll be contacted to confirm the next stage.

The assessment appointment

Who you’ll see

Assessments are carried out by appropriately qualified clinical teams, which may include:

Psychiatrists
Paediatricians
Psychologists
Occupational therapists
Speech and language therapists

For children and young people, assessments are designed to be child/young person and family centred.

What the assessment involves

The assessment may include:

A detailed discussion about development, health, education, and daily life
Review of questionnaires and reports
Direct interaction with the child or young person (or adult)
Observations of communication, social interaction, attention, and behaviour

For some assessments, this may also include:

Structured observation tools (such as ADOS for Autism)
School or educational observations, where appropriate

After the assessment

Outcome and feedback

After the assessment:

The clinical team will explain the outcome clearly and sensitively
You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions
If a diagnosis is made, this will be explained in a clear, accessible format

If a diagnosis is not made, we will still offer guidance and signposting where helpful.

Written report

You will receive a written report following the assessment.

Reports include:

What was assessed and how
The outcome or diagnosis
The reasons for the decision
Recommendations and next steps

Reports are written to be:

Clear and accessible
Suitable for sharing with GPs, schools, or other professionals (with consent)

After diagnosis: what happens next?

Every assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of the outcome. Whether through our 10-week psychoeducation program for local pathways or our services for private clients, we ensure you have a clear, supported path into the next stage of your journey.

Depending on the pathway and individual needs, this may include:

Signposting to local or national support services
Advice for home, education, or work
Psychoeducation and information sessions
Discussion of further support or treatment options (where commissioned)

More detail about ongoing support is available on: What Happens After an Assessment

Different types of assessments

You can find more detail about specific assessments here:

These pages explain what’s specific to each type of assessment.

All assessments at Provide Wellbeing:

Follow NICE guidance
Use recognised diagnostic criteria
Are delivered by trained, experienced clinical teams
Respectful, inclusive, and person-centred

TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT

Neurodevelopmental Services

Call 0300 303 9966, email
provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
or complete the form below…

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 adults, meaning it is never too late to be assessed.