Adults explore an autism assessment for many different reasons.
You may have always experienced the world differently without knowing why. Communication, relationships, unexpected change, sensory environments or everyday demands may require more energy than other people realise. You may have learned to mask aspects of yourself or developed strategies that make your difficulties less visible.
Perhaps someone close to you has received a diagnosis, or you have begun recognising autistic experiences in yourself.
An assessment offers a structured way to explore these questions. It considers how you experience the world, the strengths you bring and the support or adjustments that may make life more manageable.
Our approach is neuroaffirmative. We do not view autism as something that needs to be cured or fixed.
There is no single way to be autistic.
Autistic people have different personalities, abilities, needs and life experiences. Some people’s differences are recognised early, while others reach adulthood without their experiences being understood.
During the assessment, we may explore:
The assessment does not rely on a checklist or one appointment alone. We bring together information from different parts of the process before reaching a conclusion.
We also consider whether another or additional explanation may better account for some of your experiences.
Being neuroaffirmative means respecting different ways of communicating, processing information and experiencing the world.
You will not be expected to make eye contact, sit still or communicate in a particular way. Movement and stimming are welcome.
There is no standard set of adaptations that suits everyone. We will ask what works for you and discuss your preferences before the assessment begins.
This appointment explores your experiences across different stages of life, including childhood, education, relationships, work, daily living and sensory needs.
Where possible, and with your agreement, a parent, caregiver or someone who knows you well may contribute developmental information.
This part of the assessment uses structured activities, tasks and conversation to explore aspects of communication, interaction and experience.
A recognised clinical observation tool, such as the ADOS, may be used where appropriate.
This is not a test, and there is no need to perform or behave in a particular way.
You will work with one lead clinician throughout your assessment. This provides consistency and means you will not have to repeat your story to several different people.
After the assessment information has been gathered, your clinician will discuss the findings with a multidisciplinary team.
“Multidisciplinary” simply means that the team includes healthcare professionals from different professional backgrounds who have relevant training and experience in adult autism.
The team will confidentially review the information gathered during your assessment. They will consider your developmental history, current experiences, clinical observations, strengths and needs. They will also consider whether another or additional explanation could account for some of your experiences.
Bringing together different professional perspectives helps ensure that the conclusion is careful, balanced and not based on one piece of information or one assessment tool alone.
You will not usually need to meet every member of the team. Your lead clinician will remain your main point of contact and will explain the team’s conclusion during your feedback appointment.
You will usually receive the outcome and written report within two to three weeks of completing the assessment.
The report will explain the information considered, the findings, the assessment outcome and personalised recommendations.
The feedback appointment gives us time to explain the findings, talk through the report and answer your questions.
We can also consider what the outcome means for you and discuss any support you may wish to explore.
Autism is lifelong, so understanding childhood and early development is an important part of the assessment.
Where possible, we may ask to speak with someone who knew you when you were younger. This could be a parent, relative, caregiver or another person with relevant knowledge of your early life.
We recognise that this is not possible or appropriate for everyone. You may have no one available, limited contact with family or personal reasons for not involving someone.
Please tell us when making your enquiry. We can discuss other possible sources of information, such as school reports or previous records where these are available. Not having an informant does not automatically prevent an assessment from taking place.
You remain involved in decisions about who is contacted and what information is requested.
Online appointments are our primary format where they are clinically suitable for the relevant part of the assessment.
Some elements may require or work better through a particular format. We will explain whether any face-to-face appointment is recommended and discuss availability and associated costs before you book.
The final cost depends on the agreed assessment requirements. The complete fee and what it includes will be confirmed before you decide whether to proceed.
Payment plans or instalments can be discussed if the cost is a barrier.
An invoice and clear payment schedule will be sent to you by email once the assessment has been arranged. The agreed payments must be received by the dates shown on the invoice.
Tell us what has led you to consider an autism assessment and what you hope to understand.
We will discuss whether this assessment route appears suitable and provide information about the process, appointments and fees.
We will explain the structure of your assessment and discuss any adaptations that would make the process more accessible.
We will also consider who may be able to contribute developmental information and whether any relevant records are available.
This appointment usually lasts between one and two hours.
We will explore your experiences across childhood and adulthood, including communication, relationships, routines, sensory needs and daily life.
The observation usually lasts between 45 and 60 minutes.
It involves structured activities, tasks or conversation and may use an assessment tool such as the ADOS.
Your lead clinician will confidentially discuss the assessment with healthcare professionals from different professional backgrounds who have relevant adult-autism training.
The team will review the complete assessment information, consider alternative or additional explanations and work towards a careful conclusion.
You will usually receive your outcome and written report within two to three weeks.
A feedback appointment lasting approximately 30 to 60 minutes will allow us to explain the findings, answer questions and consider any recommendations with you.
An autism assessment does not automatically lead to therapy or treatment.
For some people, receiving a clear explanation is enough. It may help them understand past experiences, recognise their needs and approach themselves with greater compassion.
Other people may wish to explore adaptations, psychological support, coaching, peer support or specialist services.
Where appropriate, we can provide guidance, signpost you to charities and community organisations or help identify another service that may be able to support you.
You can choose which recommendations feel relevant. There is no expectation that you must pursue further support through our clinic.
Your report is provided to you, and you decide whether you want to share it.
It may be helpful when discussing support or reasonable adjustments with:
Possible adaptations will depend on your individual needs. They might include clearer written communication, changes to the sensory environment, greater predictability, flexible arrangements, additional processing time or access to a quieter space.
Each organisation has its own evidence requirements and decision-making process. Your report may provide useful supporting information, but it does not guarantee that a particular adjustment, service, benefit or funding application will be approved.
The video explains each stage of the assessment, how the multidisciplinary review works and when you will receive your results and report.
Clear answers about adult assessment, masking, developmental history, multidisciplinary review, reports and payment.
Yes. This is a dedicated adult autism assessment route.
No. You can make an enquiry if you are questioning whether you may be autistic or want to understand your experiences more clearly.
The purpose of the assessment is to explore the possibility carefully rather than assume the outcome in advance.
A neuroaffirmative approach recognises that there are many valid ways of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world.
We do not approach autism as something that needs to be cured or corrected. The assessment considers both your needs and strengths and can help identify changes that might make daily life more accessible.
Masking or camouflaging means consciously or unconsciously hiding, managing or compensating for autistic characteristics.
It may make your experiences less visible to other people, but it can require considerable effort and affect wellbeing.
The assessment does not rely on how you appear during one conversation. We consider your developmental history, experiences across different settings, coping strategies and the complete range of assessment information.
Autism is lifelong, so the assessment considers whether relevant characteristics were present during childhood, even if they were not identified at the time.
Developmental information helps us understand how your experiences may have changed and how you may have learned to adapt or mask over time.
Please tell us when making your enquiry.
We understand that not everyone has a parent, relative or caregiver available or feels comfortable involving them. We can discuss whether other information, such as school reports, previous records or your own examples, may be available.
Not having an informant does not automatically prevent an assessment, although your clinician will need to consider whether there is enough information to reach a reliable conclusion.
ADOS stands for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.
It uses structured activities and conversation to help a trained clinician observe aspects of communication and interaction relevant to an autism assessment.
It is not an exam, and there are no right or wrong answers. ADOS findings are never considered in isolation; they form one part of the wider assessment.
A multidisciplinary team is a group of healthcare professionals from different professional backgrounds who have relevant autism training.
Although you will work directly with one lead clinician, the assessment findings are reviewed and discussed by the wider team. This brings additional clinical perspectives to the process and helps the team reach a careful, well-supported conclusion.
The discussion takes place confidentially. Your lead clinician will then explain the outcome, answer your questions and remain your main point of contact.
You will work directly with one lead clinician throughout the assessment, so you will not normally need to repeat your story to several people.
The wider multidisciplinary team contributes through the confidential clinical review. You will not usually need to meet each team member.
Online appointments are our primary format when clinically suitable.
Some assessment elements may require or work better in a particular format. We will explain the proposed arrangements and discuss any face-to-face requirements or associated costs before you book.
The developmental and background interview usually lasts between one and two hours.
The clinical observation lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes, and the feedback session usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.
You will normally receive the outcome and written report within two to three weeks of completing the assessment.
No. The process explores whether the complete assessment information supports an autism diagnosis.
We also consider whether another or additional explanation may better account for some of your experiences.
If the findings do not support a diagnosis, we will explain how the conclusion was reached and provide recommendations based on what the assessment has identified.
No. The assessment can be a complete service in itself.
Some people find that the understanding provided by the assessment and report is enough. Others choose to explore adaptations or additional support.
We will discuss relevant options, but there is no obligation to begin therapy or any other service with us.
Recommendations will be based on your experiences, strengths and needs.
These may include practical or sensory adaptations, psychological support, coaching, peer support, workplace or educational changes and links to specialist charities or community organisations.
Where we do not provide the recommended support ourselves, we can offer guidance, signposting or onward referral where appropriate.
Your report may help employers, occupational health services, education providers or other organisations understand how autism affects you and what adjustments may be helpful.
It may also provide supporting information when exploring Access to Work or Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Requirements vary, and you may be asked to provide additional evidence or complete another process. We cannot guarantee that a specific adjustment, service or funding application will be approved.
No. The report is provided to you, and you decide whether to share it.
Before sharing the complete report, consider what information the organisation needs and what personal details you feel comfortable disclosing.
Yes. Different providers have different requirements and may ask for a referral or prior authorisation.
Send us an enquiry with the name of your provider, and we will explain any steps you may need to take. You should also confirm your cover, excess and assessment requirements directly with your insurer.
If you are running late, please let us know as soon as possible. The appointment will normally still finish at the agreed time. If there is not enough time to complete that part of the assessment properly, it may need to be rearranged and an additional fee may apply.
Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange. Late cancellations and missed appointments may be charged at the full appointment fee or instalment due.
Unexpected situations will be considered individually and with compassion.
You are welcome to contact us if you have questions or are uncertain whether an autism assessment is the right next step.
Your enquiry will be treated confidentially, and there is no obligation to book.