Autism Assessment
Evolving Families offers autism assessments for children, young people and adults.
An autism assessment explores social communication, interaction, flexibility of thinking, sensory differences, developmental history, strengths and support needs. It also considers how the person experiences the world around them and how their needs may present across different settings.
Autism can look different for different people. Some children show clear differences early in development. Others may mask, camouflage or manage their difficulties for many years, only becoming more aware of their needs later in childhood, adolescence or adulthood.
Our autism assessments are neuroaffirming, strengths-based and clinically robust. We consider autism alongside other possible explanations or co-occurring needs, such as ADHD, anxiety, trauma, attachment differences, learning needs, sensory processing differences or emotional wellbeing.
What our assessments include
- Developmental history interview
- ADOS-2 assessment where appropriate
- Parent, carer or informant interview
- School observation and teacher interview for children and young people where appropriate
- Standardised questionnaires
- Consideration of sensory, emotional, social and developmental needs
- MDT discussion
- A feedback appointment to discuss the assessment findings and recommendations.
- A comprehensive written report.
- A child-friendly summary report for children and young people, where developmentally appropriate.
- One additional follow-up appointment with an Assistant Psychologist, included in the assessment fee if needed and requested within six weeks of receiving the report.
The exact assessment pathway will depend on age, referral question, developmental stage, available informants and clinical need.
Our Approach
We do not see autism assessment as simply a process of identifying difficulties. A good assessment should help the person and the people around them understand their strengths, needs, preferences and support profile.
We aim to understand:
- How the person communicates and connects with others
- How they experience social situations
- How they manage change, uncertainty and transitions
- Sensory strengths and sensitivities
- Interests, routines and preferred ways of learning
- Emotional wellbeing and regulation
- Masking or camouflaging
- Co-occurring needs
- What support may be helpful at home, school, college, work or in relationships
The outcome may or may not be a diagnosis. Either way, the assessment should provide a clearer understanding and practical recommendations.
Child Autism Assessment
A child autism assessment looks at how your child communicates, interacts, plays, manages change, processes sensory information and copes across different settings.
We gather information from several sources rather than relying on one appointment alone. This helps us understand your child across home, clinic and school contexts.
The assessment includes
- A detailed parent or carer developmental interview
- ADOS-2 clinic observation
- School observation and teacher interview, where appropriate
- Standardised questionnaires
- Consideration of emotional wellbeing, executive functioning, sensory processing and camouflaging where relevant
- MDT review of all assessment information
- A feedback appointment to discuss the assessment findings and recommendations.
- A comprehensive written report.
- A child-friendly summary report for children and young people, where developmentally appropriate.
- One additional follow-up appointment with an Assistant Psychologist, included in the assessment fee if needed and requested within six weeks of receiving the report.
We work with you throughout the process to ensure we have a good understanding of your child’s strengths, needs and day-to-day experiences.
We aim to complete the assessment from registration to feedback within six to eight weeks. This may take longer during school holidays or where additional information is needed.
Following the feedback appointment, we aim to issue the written report within two weeks, provided the final balance has been paid. Where appropriate, the child-friendly summary report will be issued within the same timeframe.
Price: from £2,150
Adult Autism Assessments
An adult autism assessment explores autistic strengths, differences and support needs in adulthood.
Many adults seek assessment after years of feeling different, masking, feeling exhausted by social or sensory demands, struggling in certain environments, or wondering whether autism may help explain their experiences.
The assessment considers communication style, social understanding, sensory experiences, routines, flexibility, emotional wellbeing, relationships, work, study and day-to-day functioning.
The assessment includes
- Developmental history interview, where possible
- Adult clinical assessment using structured tools
- ADOS-2 Module 4 assessment where appropriate
- Informant interview with someone who knows you well, where appropriate
- Standardised questionnaires
- Consideration of masking, sensory processing, anxiety, mood and other neurodevelopmental differences
- MDT review of all assessment information
- A feedback appointment to discuss the assessment findings and recommendations
- A comprehensive written report.
- One additional follow-up appointment with an Assistant Psychologist, included in the assessment fee if needed and requested within six weeks of receiving the report.
Where possible, we ask to speak with someone who knew you well as a child, such as a parent or close family member. If this is not possible, we will discuss how best to adapt the process.
We work with you throughout the assessment to understand not only whether autism criteria are met, but also how your profile affects everyday life, relationships, work, study and wellbeing.
We aim to complete the assessment from registration to feedback within six to eight weeks. This may take longer during school holidays or where additional information is needed.
Following the feedback appointment, we aim to issue the written report within two weeks, provided the final balance has been paid.
Price: from £1,950
