Prior to the assessment, families are asked to complete a range of questionnaires and background information forms, including standardised rating scales. These are completed by parents or carers, school staff, and the young person where appropriate.
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If your child finds social situations difficult, has difficulties with friendships, struggles with change, has sensory sensitivities, or seems to communicate, play or interact differently from other children, an autism assessment can help you better understand their needs and identify the right support.
Specialist multidisciplinary autism assessment
At CMHC, our Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment is conducted in line with NICE guidance and delivered through a multidisciplinary approach.
The assessment brings together information from multiple sources, including parents or carers, school staff and the child or young person as appropriate. This may include direct clinical assessment and observation, evaluation of standardised questionnaires, information submitted by school or other professionals, and review of previous reports where relevant.
The assessment brings together information from multiple sources, including parents or carers, school staff and the child or young person as appropriate. This may include direct clinical assessment and observation, evaluation of standardised questionnaires, information submitted by school or other professionals, and review of previous reports where relevant.
This allows the clinical team to consider your child's presentation carefully across different contexts, determine whether diagnostic criteria for autism is met, and identify any co-occurring difficulties such as anxiety, ADHD, low mood, sleep difficulties, emotional regulation difficulties or school-related distress. It also helps develop a broader understanding of your child's strengths, needs and developmental profile, so that recommendations can be tailored to home, school and ongoing support.
Although the appointments are usually around 6–7 hours, the full autism assessment can involve more than 10–12 hours of clinical time when all the various components are considered.
A school observation is usually not required as part of the standard autism assessment pathway but may be recommended if the information available is mixed, limited or insufficient to reach a clear diagnostic outcome. This would be discussed with the family and incur an additional cost.
Although the appointments are usually around 6–7 hours, the full autism assessment can involve more than 10–12 hours of clinical time when all the various components are considered.
A school observation is usually not required as part of the standard autism assessment pathway but may be recommended if the information available is mixed, limited or insufficient to reach a clear diagnostic outcome. This would be discussed with the family and incur an additional cost.
Autism Assessment: Diagnostic Pathway
A detailed review of the child's developmental history, including early milestones, social communication development, and any patterns of behaviour or interests.
A comprehensive clinical assessment with a specialist clinician exploring social communication, interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, and sensory sensitivities.
If required, a school observation may be conducted to observe the child in their educational setting and gather information from school staff.
The clinical team integrates information from all sources to determine whether diagnostic criteria for autism are met.
Comprehensive feedback is provided to the family along with a detailed diagnostic report and personalised recommendations.