What assessment tools do you use to assess for autism?

We use NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) recommended assessments. We use a clinical interview informed by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-r). 

We also use play-based observations and interviews using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2).

For children we also gather information from educational settings and any other relevant information. 

We are trained in the delivery of a number of formal assessments which will be determined prior to your or your childs assessment and the most appropriate tool will be selected for each individual.

How quickly will I be seen?

We prioritise seeing you as quickly as possible. We will begin the assessment process within two to three weeks of your booking with us and we endeavour to complete assessments within a three week period from the first appointment. 

What is the youngest age you will assess?

We will assess children over three years old if they are attended nursery school. 
 
 Where will the face to face meeting take place?

Face-to-face appointments will occur at one of our clinic in Chester. We are also able to complete assessments in your child\s school where this agreed by the school and felt to be appropriate. When you book, we will send you full details of the clinic location, including parking, facilities and maps.

How will online sessions take place?

Remote clinical interviews are held online using a secure virtual platform. You will need access to a computer and the internet in order to complete these.

You will not need to download anything.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book with us directly. Please see the contact us page.

I am an adult; do I need to involve an informant?

Ideally, it is helpful to gather information about your early developmental history including milestones and experiences from their perspective. This person can be a parent, sibling, spouse or close friend.

However, we understand this is not always possible, and this will not stop you from pursuing an assessment with us. In these instances, please speak with a member of the team to discuss the best options. 

Do you offer fully remote assessments ?

Yes! We believe in giving more choice and accessibility to our adult clients. Please get in touch to find out more about our online assessments.

How do you determine if a diagnosis is given?

Once all the assessment components are completed, the clinical team who have been involved in the assessment will meet together. This is called a ‘multi disciplinary team’ meeting. They will look at all the evidence gained during the assessment and map this to the diagnostic framework to consider a diagnosis. The framework we use is called the DSMV and sets out specific criteria which must be met for a diagnosis to be given.

There are 3 outcomes possible from an assessment; the criteria is met and a diagnosis is given, the criteria is not met and no diagnosis is given or on rare occasions, an assessment can be inconclusive. It is important to know that regardless of outcome, you will always receive a detailed report which outlines the assessment components, gives the outcome and the rationale, provides a profile of the person’s current strengths and needs, and also provides individual recommendations.

Will my final report be accepted by the NHS, HSE, Department of Education and other services?

There can be concern from individuals or their families that a privately sought assessment will not be recognised as valid by their Local Authority or NHS, when individuals or their families then may try to seek recognition by their education or work places, apply for an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), apply to claim additional funding, or try to access appropriate support services (either privately or within the public sector).

If you are advised that a private assessment report or confirmed diagnosis will be disregarded, this is incorrect information.

Our reports are written by professionally trained and registered specialists using Gold Standard assessment tools, which meet/exceed National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations. As a result, they meet the requirements of public bodies.

Furthermore, the SEN and Disability Code of Practice (2015) states;

“A diagnostic report written by registered, specialist trained, and experienced professionals, further to a comprehensive Autism Diagnostic Assessment process of a Gold Standard that meets or exceeds the guidelines set by NICE, will provide a diagnostic report that is diagnostically reliable, lawfully credible and clinically crucial as an NHS diagnostic report”. NHS England states, “you are still entitled to free NHS care if you choose to pay for additional private care, meaning that support services are also legitimately accessible.”

Therefore, a diagnosis of autism confirmed by a private autism diagnostic service outside of the NHS is legally bound to be recognised by other care and education providers, such as the NHS or Local Authorities, when it is clinically evidenced that the private assessment has met and exceeded the Gold Standard protocol outlined within NICE guidelines. 

We believe our assessments are enhanced, thorough and comprehesive as all information gathered throughout the assessment process is reported on in a neuroaffirmative but balanced way to ensure that other professionals and bodies reviewing our work are confident that a full diagnostic assessment has been completed. 

Will my post-assessment report include individual recommendations for support?

Yes. We will discuss our suggested recommendations with you during your feedback call. We will work collaboratively with you to ensure that we have addressed your most important needs. This may include recommendations for:

- School/education-based support and adjustments

- Work and employment-based support and adjustments

- Financial support

- Signposting to local services

- Details of literature, including first-person accounts by autistic persons

- Sensory adaptation

- Support with managing emotions