Autism assessment

:£1800

The basic assessment is aimed to be completed within 2 months, or less, from initial meeting to feedback and report. If it is decided that a wider assessment or more observation is needed this time line could be extended, each element of this being an addition to the cost of the basic assessment.

The assessment includes an MDT meeting with colleagues from other professional backgrounds, who are experienced and qualified in autism assessment. This meeting ensures that the diagnostic outcome meets the NICE guidelines and ensures a more robust decision is made.

Payment can be paid in full at the beginning of the assessment, or by following the payment schedule

Payment Schedule:

£300: invoice issued prior to Stage 1. To be paid before the next steps discussion
£750: invoice issued prior to Stage 2. Payment includes Stage 2 and Stage 3. To be paid before the second scheduled appointment

£750: Invoice issued prior to Stage 4. To be paid before the final report and feedback meeting takes place.

Stage 1: Screening and next steps

The child or young person's main caregivers to complete some screening questionnaires, followed by a short meeting between us to decide on the next steps, it would be nice for me to be able to meet the child or young person, albeit as brief as they want, at this meeting. This can be done in person or via the internet.

Stage 2: Information gathering

The main caregivers and the child or young person's school teachers, will then be asked to complete some questionnaires. If the teacher can not complete these questionnaires, for example if the child or young person is home educated, I would ask that non-family member, someone who knows the young person well, completes the questionnaire. When the questionnaires are completed and returned to me a more detailed clinical interview between myself and the main caregivers will take place, this will include using the ADI-R to gather more detail. Copies of any other assessment reports, for example from a Paediatrician, Speech and Language therapist or Occupational Therapist, that might provide additional information would add to the assessment process. The interview can take place in person or via the internet and will last between 1 and 2 hours.

Stage 3: ADOS assessment

The main assessment session will involve a face-to-face meeting with the child or young person themselves. Where and when this will take place can be decided at the clinical interview. This will take approximately 1 hour

Stage 4: MDT discussion, feedback meeting and report

Following all of the assessment appointments, a discussion with MDT colleagues might take place and the diagnostic report will be written, summarising the findings against the DSM-5 criteria for autism. Recommendations will be included in this report. A feedback appointment with the Child or young person's main caregivers will be arranged to discuss the outcome of the assessment. This meeting can be in person or via the internet and will take place approximately 1 - 2 weeks after the final assessment appointment.

A PDF copy of the final report will be sent after the feedback meeting.

Autism Assessment Process