Very professional service with a friendly attitude towards young children. Thorough and concise reports and feedback after each session. Would highly recommend this service for anyone looking for help and support in this area.
The cost of a private Autism assessment can vary depending on the complexity of the assessment and the needs of the individual.
At Norfolk Autism Assessment, our assessments are carried out by two experienced healthcare professionals, ensuring a thorough and reliable diagnostic process. This is considered a gold standard Autism assessment.
Our fees reflect:
While costs vary, families and individuals often choose a private assessment for:
For full details, please see our Autism Assessment Costs page.
An Autism assessment involves gathering detailed information about development, communication and behaviour using structured tools such as ADOS and developmental history interviews. Clinicians combine this information to determine whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for Autism.
A comprehensive Autism assessment usually includes four key components. Each part contributes to building a complete understanding of the individual.
One of the most important parts of the Autism assessment process is gathering a detailed developmental history.
Autism is a developmental condition, meaning that differences are usually present from early childhood. Understanding early development helps clinicians identify patterns in communication, behaviour and social interaction.
This part of the assessment involves a structured discussion with a clinician and may include:
For children, this information is provided by parents or caregivers.
Structured tools such as ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised) and DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders) may be used to guide this process. Read more about our diagnostic tools here.
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a structured, face-to-face assessment used to observe communication and social interaction in real time.
During the session, the clinician uses carefully designed activities to explore how the individual:
For younger children, this may involve play-based activities.
The ADOS uses different modules depending on age and language level, ensuring the assessment is appropriate for both children and adults. Find out more about the ADOS process here.
Communication is a key area of difference in Autism, so for children, a screening of speech and language skills is often included as part of the assessment.
This may include evaluating:
This helps clinicians build a clear profile of the child’s communication strengths and needs, and how they use language in everyday situations.
In some cases, children may also have a language disorder, such as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), which can impact on their ability to understand and use language effectively. This can sometimes affect social interaction in ways that may appear similar to Autism.
As part of the assessment, clinicians carry out a careful differential diagnosis, distinguishing whether a child’s difficulties are primarily related to a language disorder such as DLD, or whether they form part of a broader profile consistent with Autism.
You may also find it helpful to read more about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and how it differs from Autism.
Norfolk Autism Assessment is part of Independent Speech & Language Therapist Services Group (ISLTS) which provides a full range of speech and language services to people of all ages with a range needs. Find out more.
Autism affects how individuals interact across different environments, so gathering information from other settings is essential.
For children, this may include:
This helps ensure that the assessment reflects real-life experiences, not just what is observed in a clinical setting.
A great team of specialist therapists, professional, competent, supportive.
Following the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report.
This includes:
For children, this may help schools provide appropriate support and adjustments.
Autism is complex, and some characteristics can overlap with other conditions.
A detailed assessment helps clinicians:
This ensures the outcome is meaningful, accurate and helpful for long-term support.
You may also find our blog on DLD, ADHD and Autism helpful.
I’ve been through this three times now, ISLTS made me feel heard and supported. Every step was explained clearly, and I was treated with compassion and respect.
If you are wondering whether your child may be Autistic, speaking with a specialist can help you decide on the next steps. We are happy to talk you through what happens during an Autism assessment and answer any questions you may have.
At Norfolk Autism Assessment, we provide gold-standard private Autism assessments, carried out by experienced clinicians in a supportive and respectful environment.
Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation and discuss your concerns.
Autism assessments usually take place over one or more sessions. The full process may take several weeks to complete, including information gathering and report writing.
ADOS is widely used as part of Autism assessments, but it is not used in isolation. It forms part of a broader assessment process alongside developmental history and other information.
No. You can contact a private provider directly to arrange an initial consultation.
