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 Chester Psychology Services, a clinic in the Hoole are of 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 three possible outcomes:

• Criteria met → diagnosis given
• Criteria not met → no diagnosis
• In some cases → outcome may be inconclusive

Regardless of outcome, you will receive a detailed, high-quality report including:

• A clear explanation of the outcome
• A profile of strengths and needs
• Individualised recommendations

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

Yes.

Our assessments:

• Follow NICE guidelines
• Use gold-standard tools
• Are completed by qualified, registered professionals

Because of this, they are widely recognised by the NHS, Local Authorities, Adoption Support Agencies through the Adoption Support Fund and educational settings.

We regularly support families with:

• EHCP applications
• School support planning
• Access to services

If you are ever told a private diagnosis is not valid, this is often incorrect — we are happy to support you in understanding this.

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.

As such, we are very proud to offer thorough and robust assessments, where the diagnostic decision is fully evidenced. As testament to our work we are regularly commissioned by Local Adoption agencies, and help families who are seeking an Education Health and Care Plan. 

Please see reviews from parents and clients on Trust Pilot here: Reach Autism Services Ltd - Chester Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of reachautismservices.co.uk

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 comprehensive as all information gathered throughout the assessment process is reported on in a neuro-affirmative 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

Will this help with school or workplace support?

Yes. Our reports can be used to support:

• School-based adjustments
• EHCP applications
• Workplace support and reasonable adjustments

We aim to provide clear, practical recommendations that can be implemented in real-life settings.

How much does an assessment cost?

Our assessment fees reflect the depth, time, and specialist expertise involved in providing a comprehensive and high-quality diagnostic process.

Please see our pricing page for full details, or contact us if you would like to talk this through before booking.

What happens after I get in touch?

After your enquiry, we will guide you through the next steps, including booking a pre-assessment consultation if appropriate.

You will receive clear information about the process, timelines, and what to expect at each stage.

How long does the assessment process take?

The full assessment process typically involves several components, including interviews, observations, and feedback.

Each stage is carefully structured to ensure a thorough and accurate understanding, while also allowing time for reflection and clinical review. The time from your first appointment to sharing the report and offering feedback is usually 3/4 weeks. 

What will be included in my report?

Your report will provide:

• A clear diagnostic outcome
• A detailed explanation of the assessment findings
• A strengths-based profile
• Practical, individualised recommendations

Reports are written in a way that is both clinically robust and accessible.

What if the outcome is not a diagnosis?

Not everyone who completes an assessment will meet diagnostic criteria.

Regardless of outcome, we aim to provide a meaningful understanding of your or your child’s profile, along with helpful recommendations and next steps.

What makes Reach Autism Services different?

We offer a personalised, compassionate, and thorough assessment process that is tailored to each individual.

Our approach is:

• Neuro-affirmative
• Trauma-informed
• Strengths-based

We take the time to understand the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

If you’re unsure whether an assessment is right for you or your child, you are very welcome to get in touch.

We are happy to talk things through and help you decide on the best next step.