Diagnostic Autism Assessment

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference which impacts how people view, communicate and interact with the world.

It is important to understand individuals experience autism differently. Some may attempt to “mask” their difficulties around certain people or settings in order to fit in. If you notice that you, or your loved one has been struggling with their social communication, language development or with repetitive and restricted behaviours, an autism assessment may be appropriate.

The first step to getting the right support is to receive a robust and reliable assessment from a qualified clinician. Taking that first step can be daunting, but Young Wellbeing Hub are here to support you every step of the way.

Reasons to Pursue a Diagnostic Autism Assessment

Early identification and diagnosis can open the door to develop necessary skills to fulfil an individual’s potential and thrive.

  • To better understand their behaviours, thoughts, and emotions, building a sense of self-identity.
  • To help identify their strengths and where they may need support.
  • To allow others to better support them, such as teachers, family members, partners and employers.
  • To open opportunities to access appropriate services and benefits, including reasonable adjustments in education and work.

If you are interested in developing a detailed exploration of their strengths, challenges, and areas where support is needed without a medical or diagnostic lens, a Neuroaffirmative Needs Based Assessment may be more appropriate for you.

Our Approach and Tools

At Young Wellbeing Hub, we carry out autism assessments, based on UK best practice models, which are designed strictly in line with the latest research and meet or exceed government standards including the GOLD standard recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

We use different types of assessments at the clinic to explore traits of autism and to determine what support will be best. Sometimes challenges experienced may not be due to autism, therefore, our specialist clinicians work hard to fully understand characteristics presented within the assessments by utilising an integrative approach and providing recommendations tailored to the needs.

Our team adopts a needs-led and multi-modal approach to enable that individuals receive tailored and person-centred support.

What the Assessment Covers

Our Diagnostic Autism Assessment covers developmental history, their mental health experiences, as well as the characteristics of autism. The clinician will review these characteristics in line with the diagnostic criteria for autism.

1 – Pre-Screening

Considering age as a benchmark, we will ask you to complete a variety of questionnaires that provide our clinicians comprehensive data, which may include information and assessment of educational settings.

2 – Assessment

Our clinical team will provide guidance on what type of assessment would be beneficial for you to access, including the possibility of a Diagnostic Autism Assessment.

3 – Multi-Disciplinary Team

The clinical team at Young Wellbeing Hub will meet and discuss the evidence collected in the assessment process. They will review this in line with the ICD-11 and DSM-5 criteria for autism, and decide whether the criteria are fulfilled.

4 – Feedback

The clinician will discuss with you the outcome of the assessment, alongside any preliminary advice and recommendations they may have to help you access specialised support.

5 – Report

This comprehensive document will state the outcome of the assessment and may contain a formal diagnosis if decided upon. It will also include clear recommendations for any essential support.

Who Can Benefit

Considering age as a benchmark, our team will provide the most suitable Diagnostic Autism Assessment suitable for children, young people and adults.

Logistics

The Diagnostic Autism Assessment is a comprehensive assessment delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Pre-Requisites

There are no specific pre-requisites for a Diagnostic Autism Assessment upon a successful referral. To make a new referral, all new clients must firstly access our Pre-Screening Service.

Fees

The fee for a Diagnostic Autism Assessment is £2200. If you would like to see our full-service price list, please refer to our Fees and Payment page.

What To Expect Following a Diagnostic Autism Assessment

As a need-led service, our priority is to help individuals by placing them at the centre of what we do by adopting an integrative approach to better understand their needs through our Psychological Assessments . We also offer Therapeutic Support delivered through a neuro-affirmative lens, we encourage individuals fully understand and embrace their neurodivergence, promoting empowerment and self-acceptance.