We offer private autism assessments for younger children, aged 2 years and over. Our expert clinical team have extensive experience in assessing toddlers and the pre-school age group.
We understand that it can be deeply troubling for parents who are unable to access a timely assessment through the NHS pathway, yet want answers to be able to ensure that a child can access the right support.
We can usually start an autism assessment for a child within 2 weeks and complete the assessment within 4 weeks.
If you are considering a private assessment, this article will tell you everything you need to know, from recognising the signs to what to expect during the assessment and afterwards.
How early can autism be diagnosed?
The signs of autism emerge at different ages in different children. In some cases, autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months; however, it is usual for autism assessment to be offered from the age of 2 years old.
Autism affects different children in different ways, and not all children show obvious signs of autism in the early years; therefore, many children are not identified until later childhood.
Children with more obvious developmental delays, such as speech delay or speech regression, tend to be picked up earlier.
What are the signs of autism in younger children?
The core differences in autism are the same for everyone, regardless of age. However, how the signs or characteristics present varies between individuals and by age.
The core diagnostic criteria for autism are:
- Deficits in social communication and social interaction
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities
The typical way in which these differences are present in younger children includes:
Deficits in social communication and social interaction
Problems with socio-emotional reciprocity: No language, using only a few words or using only language that is repeated. Using another’s hand to try to open or move things, not responding to name, not consistently responding to others. Not approaching to show you things or to make requests for help
Decreased non-verbal behaviours: Not using non-verbal signals such as pointing, waving, facial expressions or eye contact to compensate for language difficulties
Problems with friendships and relationships: Lack of interest in playing games with you, no interest in other children, or plays alongside other children but not with them
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities
Repetitive motor movements: Flicking fingers in front of the eyes, hand flapping, repetitive jumping, spinning or back and forth running and pacing. Rocking or headbanging
Needing sameness and predictability: Out of sorts when things don’t happen in the usual order or becomes upset around new people or in new places, struggles when things are not in the usual place
Intense interests or interest in certain aspects of objects: Lining toys up, stacking toys, filling things into objects and emptying them again, spinning wheels and other objects, flicking switches on and off, opening and closing doors, watching the same programme or parts of programmes over again
Sensory differences: Sensory seeking or avoidant behaviours such as chewing or licking non-edible items, stroking things, needing heavy blankets or distress around loud noise, fussy eating and upset when hands are dirty or sticky
Barriers to accessing an NHS autism assessment
Local NHS autism assessment pathways will have referral criteria which govern who, how and when a child can be referred for an assessment. The referral criteria vary between different areas, but there are often restrictions relating to age and who can make a referral.
Parents in some areas may find that children have to be age five or older before they can access the pathway and others may find that a child can only be referred by certain professionals.
The NHS waiting list has grown exponentially in recent years, with some areas experiencing waiting lists of over 3 years for a child to be assessed on the NHS.
More and more parents of children in the early years are seeking private autism assessments to ensure that their child’s needs are understood before starting school.
I am seeing some signs of autism, but not all. How do I know if my child needs an assessment?
Autism is a pattern of differences, and not all children will show all characteristics. If you are only seeing a single characteristic of autism, such as hand flapping or speech delay, it is unlikely to indicate autism.
However, if you are seeing a number of the behaviours outlined above, it might be worth talking to a professional about your concerns. We offer free screening for autism. We can send you the M-CHAT questionnaire, which is an autism screening tool for young children. Once you have completed this, we will discuss your responses with you, alongside any other concerns you have and advise you if an autism assessment is indicated. Feel free to reach out to us if you would like to access this.
Can you complete an autism assessment online?
For young children, we will need to complete the observational part of the assessment in one of our clinics. We will complete the interview with you as parents online via a video link.
What to expect in an autism assessment
There will be at least three different clinical experts involved in your assessment process.
Onboarding: When you decide to go ahead with an assessment with us, you will be allocated one of our friendly clinical assessment coordinators. They will explain what to expect during the process and serve as your point of contact throughout your assessment.
Background information and early years setting information: Your clinical assessment coordinator will send you background information questionnaires, which you can complete at your convenience. If your child is in an early years setting or a nursery, they will also ask you to sign a consent form for us to source information from them also. When received, they will contact your child’s setting to request the information we need. If your child does not attend a setting, this step is omitted.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2): We will complete the ADOS-2 observation session with your child at one of our clinics. The session is play-based, and involves fun activities such as bubbles and a tea party! During the session, we will observing how your child interacts and also looking for any repetitive behaviours and sensory issues
Autism Diagnostic Interview -Revised (ADI-r): The ADI-r will be completed with you as parent(s) via a video link. In this session, we will gather information about your concerns and specific behaviours related to autism by asking you what you observe in different situations at home
Multi-disciplinary review: When we have gathered the extensive information we require, we review as a team and decide whether the clinical evidence suggests that the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosis are met
Robust, professional report: After the assessment is completed, you will be provided with the diagnostic outcome and a robust report. The report will summarise all information gathered, the reason for the diagnostic decision and provide you with personalised recommendations to help your child
Feedback session: You will be offered a post-assessment session with one of the clinicians who formed part of your child’s assessment team. You can use the session to discuss the assessment and/or to ask advice around anything from potty training to how to apply for an EHCP
Do I need to prepare my child for the autism assessment?
If your child can understand language, you might want to let them know they are about to meet someone who wants to play some games with them. Other than this, there is nothing you need to do to prepare your child except plan your journey to the clinic.
If your child struggles at certain times of the day, please let us know, and we will arrange the session for a time when they are happier and more alert. We don’t mind if they attend in their pyjamas if it makes them feel more comfortable.
We like to see what your child does with their hands in the session, so please avoid giving them food or drink to come into the session with.
All of our clinicians are experts in the field of autism, but are also friendly, skilled, and experienced at working with young children. You can be assured that we will make the session a fun experience for them.
Can parents stay for the ADOS-2?
Yes, with such young children, parents can stay in the session. In fact, if we can’t engage your child in an activity, we may ask you to help us out!
At the end of the observation session, the clinician may be able to explain some of the behaviours they have observed to help you recognise them.
What are the benefits of an autism assessment for a younger child?
Evidence suggests that early identification and intervention leads to better outcomes for autistic children. An early autism assessment will ensure that your child’s needs are identified and the proper support and understanding can be implemented around them.
Having an autism diagnosis before starting school can help teachers to understand and prepare for the child’s needs, and if you feel your child will require an EHCP, your assessment report can be used to help identify your child’s special educational needs.
Your autism assessment report will also assist with applications for financial support, grants or access passes when out and about.
Will a private autism assessment be accepted by nurseries, schools and the NHS?
As long as the assessment has been completed in line with the NICE Guidelines, and this is evidenced in a report, the NHS, nurseries and schools will accept the diagnosis. Public bodies readily accept our assessments and diagnoses.
Further advice
If you would like more information about a private autism assessment for a child, or would like to arrange an assessment with us, please get in touch. We will be more than happy to support you on your journey.
