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Autism Assessment Process

Autism assessment

:£1850

TJF Psychology offers a supportive and thorough autism assessment process, designed to help families gain a clear understanding of a child or young person’s strengths, needs, and differences. The goal is not simply to provide a “yes or no” outcome, but to offer an explanation that makes sense of everyday experiences at home, at school, and in the wider world.

Our assessment recognises that autism can present very differently from one individual to another. Some children and young people may show clear and obvious signs, while others may have learned to mask or compensate for their differences in social situations. We carefully consider these variations in presentation, including subtler traits that might not be immediately obvious, so that the report reflects the full picture of the child or young person’s experiences.

The assessment is usually completed within two months (or less), from the initial meeting through to the final feedback appointment and written report. Occasionally, it may become apparent during the process that a broader assessment or additional observations would be helpful. If this occurs, the timeline may be extended. Any extra appointments or assessment elements would be fully discussed with you in advance and would be separately costed, beyond the basic assessment fee.

As part of the process, a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting takes place, involving colleagues from other professional backgrounds who are experienced and appropriately qualified in autism assessment. This ensures that the diagnostic decision is robust, aligns with NICE guideline standards, and reflects a well-rounded professional discussion rather than a single viewpoint.

The autism assessment process is structured into three clear stages. Each stage is designed to build a full and balanced picture of the child or young person, drawing on information from home, school (or other settings), and direct assessment. Throughout the process, the aim is to work collaboratively with families, ensuring that the assessment feels supportive, transparent, and focused on understanding the child or young person as a whole.

Stage 1: Screening and next steps begins with a collection of information from the people who know the child or young person best. Questionnaires are completed by main caregivers and by school staff. If a teacher is unable to complete these (for example, where a child is home educated), an appropriate non-family adult who knows the young person well can complete them instead. This is followed by a short phone discussion with the main caregiver to discuss the results and agree the most appropriate next steps.

Stage 2: Once the questionnaires have been returned, a more in-depth clinical interview is arranged with the main caregivers. This interview includes the use of the ADI-R, which provides a structured framework to gather detailed developmental and current information relevant to autism. The interview can take place in person or online and usually lasts between one and two hours. If there are any previous professional reports available (for example from a Paediatrician, Speech and Language Therapist, or Occupational Therapist), these can also be shared, as they may add helpful context to the overall assessment. An ADOS assessment is, which is the main face-to-face assessment appointment with the child or young person themselves, will be arranged. This session provides an opportunity to observe communication style, social interaction, and how the child or young person responds within a structured but supportive assessment setting. The practical arrangements for this appointment, including where it will take place, can be agreed during the Stage 2 clinical interview. The ADOS appointment usually lasts around one hour.

Stage 3: MDT discussion, feedback meeting and report takes place after all assessment information has been gathered. At this stage, there may be a discussion with MDT colleagues from other professional backgrounds who are experienced and qualified in autism assessment. The diagnostic report is then written, summarising the findings and considering them against the DSM-5 criteria for autism, with clear recommendations included. A feedback appointment is arranged with the child or young person’s main caregivers to talk through the outcome, answer questions, and discuss next steps. This meeting can take place in person or online and is typically scheduled around one to two weeks after the final assessment appointment. A PDF copy of the final report is sent after the feedback meeting.

Payment can be made in full at the start of the assessment, or you may choose to follow the staged payment schedule below.

£300 – Invoice issued when the assessment is commissioned. To be paid before the next steps discussion.
£800 – Invoice issued prior to Stage 2. To be paid before the second scheduled appointment.
£750 – Invoice issued prior to Stage 3. To be paid before the final report and feedback meeting takes place