What is an autism assessment?
An autism assessment is a detailed process that helps to understand how a child or young person experiences the world, communicates, and interacts with others. The assessment aims to identify whether these differences are consistent with an autism diagnosis, and to provide clear, practical recommendations for support, both at home and in education.
At RocketEd, our assessments are comprehensive, child-centred and evidence-based, following the national standards set out in the NICE Clinical Guidelines.
Why might someone seek an autism assessment?
Parents or carers may seek an autism assessment for a variety of reasons. You might have noticed differences in your child’s social interaction, communication, play or sensory processing. Some families come to us because they want to better understand their child’s needs and strengths, while others are seeking a formal diagnosis to access support in school or from other services. Whatever your reason, our goal is to provide a thorough, compassionate, and affirming assessment that helps you make sense of your child’s strengths, challenges, and next steps.
Who carries out the assessment?
At RocketEd, assessments are completed by a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians who are registered with their relevant professional bodies, trained in the use of gold-standard assessment tools (including ADOS-2 and ADI-R), and experienced in identifying both autism and co-occurring needs and differences.
What does the assessment involve?
The assessment process comprises:
A developmental interview with parents or carers (using tools such as the ADI-R)
Observation and interaction sessions with the child or young person (using the ADOS-2 or equivalent)
Input from school or educational staff, to understand how the child learns and interacts in different environments
A multi-disciplinary team discussion to review all findings
A feedback meeting where results and recommendations are shared clearly and sensitively
Throughout the process, our team will keep you updated and act as your main point of contact.
How long does an autism assessment take, and what does it cost?
Before the assessment begins, we gather information from parents or carers and from the child’s educational setting. This helps us build a picture of your child’s early development, current strengths, and any areas of concern. The assessment itself includes two key sessions:
The Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R), a detailed developmental interview with parents or carers (around two hours)
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2), a structured play- and conversation-based session with your child (around one hour)
Where possible, we schedule these sessions on the same day to help ensure consistency and reduce waiting time. Our multi-disciplinary team then meets to discuss the findings, consider all the evidence, and jointly formulate conclusions and recommendations. The full written report is finalised within three weeks, after which we arrange a feedback meeting to share the outcome and talk through next steps. This meeting may also include our autism specialist, who can help explain the results and discuss any recommendations for support.
Costs depend on the level of assessment and individual circumstances, but we will always provide a clear breakdown before beginning any work. Contact us to find outmore.
Will a diagnosis be recognised by the NHS or local authority?
Provided the assessment meets NICE Clinical Guidelines, a private diagnosis can be recognised by the NHS and local authorities. NICE guidance specifies that:
The assessment must be completed by a multi-disciplinary team.
Clinicians must be registered professionals with the appropriate training and experience in autism assessment.
The process should include developmental history, observation, and review of information from multiple sources, using recognised gold-standard tools such as the ADI-R and ADOS-2.
All RocketEd autism assessments meet these standards. We follow NICE guidance in full, ensuring that our diagnostic reports are robust, evidence-based and aligned with national best practice. While acceptance by the NHS or local authority cannot be guaranteed, in our experience assessments that meet these standards are usually recognised. In some cases, NHS clinicians may review the report before formally recording the diagnosis in medical records or using it to inform an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We encourage families to check with their local NHS/local authority services if they would like confirmation of local processes.
What happens after the assessment?
You’ll be offered a feedback appointment with one of our clinicians to discuss the outcome in detail. We’ll go through the findings, explain what they mean, and answer any questions you might have. Whether or not a diagnosis is confirmed, we’ll provide a written report summarising the evidence, conclusions, and individualised recommendations for support at home and school.
How should we prepare for the assessment?
Before your appointments, we’ll send you some questionnaires and ask for background information such as school reports or previous assessments. These help us gain a full understanding of your child’s experiences and development. It can also be helpful to talk to your child about what to expect, explaining that the sessions are about finding out how they learn and experience the world, and that there are no right or wrong answers.
How do we book or find out more?
If you’d like to find out more about our autism assessment service, or you’re ready to book, please get in touch with our friendly team. We’ll be happy to explain the process, answer any questions, and help you decide on the best next step for your child.