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 - Self-pay assessments
Available without a GP referral. - NHS Right to Choose
Available only when a qualifying NHS contract is live. We do not currently offer Right to Choose assessments.
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
Before the assessment
Referral and questionnaires
Once a referral is accepted, we will 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.
Referral and questionnaires
Once a referral is accepted, we will 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
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…
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.
