Autism Assessment - Child and Young Person
At Jacobs Clinic, we provide comprehensive Autism assessments for children and young people.
We understand that deciding whether to pursue an Autism assessment can be a significant step for families. Our aim is to provide a thorough child-centred assessment that helps families better understand their child’s strengths, difficulties and individual needs.
Your child’s assessment will be carried out by a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist who is on the GMC Specialist Register.
Could my child be autistic?
Autism can present in many different ways, and every child is different. You may be considering an Autism assessment if your child experiences differences or difficulties with areas such as:
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Social communication and interaction
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Developing or maintaining friendships
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Understanding social situations
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Communication and language
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Coping with change or unexpected situations
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Repetitive behaviours or routines
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Highly focused or specific interests
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Sensory sensitivities
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Emotional regulation
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Differences in how they experience or respond to the world around them
Some children may experience difficulties that are more noticeable at home, while others may experience greater challenges at school or in social situations.
An Autism assessment can help explore whether your child’s presentation is consistent with Autism and whether another explanation may better account for their difficulties.
What does an Autism assessment involve?
Our assessment is comprehensive and considers information from a number of different sources.
Before the assessment, we gather relevant information about your child, including:
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Developmental history
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Medical history
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Information from parents/carers
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Information from school
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Parent and school questionnaires
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Previous professional assessments and reports, where available
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Your child’s own experiences and views
With appropriate consent, we will contact your child’s school and GP to request relevant information.
Once the required information has been received, the consultant will review the information to ensure there is sufficient information to proceed with the assessment.
This approach is consistent with NICE guidance, which recommends that an Autism diagnostic assessment considers the child's experiences at home and in education, developmental history and the concerns of parents/carers and the child or young person.
The face-to-face assessment
The main Autism assessment takes place face-to-face at Jacobs Clinic with the Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.
The assessment may include:
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Detailed developmental history
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Medical and relevant family history
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Review of questionnaires and supporting information
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Review of school information
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Discussion with the child/young person and parent/carer
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Clinical observations
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Mental state examination, where appropriate
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Risk assessment
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Physical observations or examination where clinically indicated
Where clinically appropriate, the consultant may also offer the child or young person an opportunity to be seen independently.
We recommend that families keep at least 2.5 hours aside for the face-to-face assessment with the consultant.
A child-centred approach
We recognise that children and young people can present differently in different environments. For this reason, we consider information from the child or young person, their family, school and other relevant professionals, rather than relying on a single questionnaire or observation.
We consider your child’s strengths, abilities and individual experiences, as well as areas where they may be experiencing difficulties.
Our aim is to make the assessment a supportive experience and to ensure that your child’s views and experiences are heard wherever possible.
Considering ADHD assessment as well?
Autism and ADHD can occur together, and some children and young people may experience characteristics associated with both conditions. NICE guidance specifically recommends considering ADHD when assessing a child or young person for possible Autism.
If you have concerns about both Autism and ADHD, Jacobs Clinic offers a combined ADHD & Autism assessment. A combined assessment allows both areas to be considered as part of one comprehensive assessment process. The combined assessment includes assessment for both Autism and ADHD.
For the ADHD component, your child will normally attend a separate appointment at Jacobs Clinic for:
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QbTest
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ECG
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Baseline physical observations, including blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight
The QbTest and ECG appointment takes place separately from the main face-to-face assessment and will be on a different day.
The main face-to-face assessment with the consultant will consider both Autism and ADHD and will include information from:
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Your child or young person
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Parents/carers
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School
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GP
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Questionnaires
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Developmental and medical history
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QbTest results
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Clinical observations
We recommend that families keep at least 3 hours aside for the main face-to-face assessment with the consultant. The consultant will discuss the outcome of both assessments with you and your child/young person, as appropriate. Where a diagnosis is made, recommendations and appropriate support strategies will be discussed.
ADHD medication following a combined assessment
If ADHD is diagnosed and medication is considered appropriate, the consultant will discuss treatment options with you, including the potential benefits, risks and side effects.
If you decide to proceed with medication, your child will enter a period of medication titration. Titration involves regular reviews to monitor your child's response to medication and make any necessary dose adjustments.
Ongoing ADHD treatment costs
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Titration/review appointments every 4 weeks: £250 per session
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Each review includes a private prescription.
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The cost of medication is separate and is payable to the dispensing pharmacy.
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Once your child is stable on medication, reviews are required every 6 months: £250 per session
Before each titration review, blood pressure, heart rate and weight readings must be available in advance. If the required monitoring information is not available, a prescription cannot be issued.
Once your child is stable on medication, we can contact their GP to request a Shared Care Agreement.
If shared care is accepted, ongoing prescriptions can be issued by the GP at standard NHS prescription charges.
Shared care is subject to the GP agreeing to accept the arrangement. Until shared care has been formally accepted, Jacobs Clinic remains responsible for prescribing and medication management.
What happens after the Autism assessment?
At the end of the assessment, the consultant will discuss the outcome and recommendations with you and your child or young person, as appropriate.
If Autism is diagnosed
The diagnosis will be explained clearly, and we will discuss:
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Recommendations
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Appropriate support strategies
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Information about Autism
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Relevant services and sources of support
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Signposting to appropriate resources
If Autism is not diagnosed
The outcome will be explained to you. Where appropriate, the consultant will consider alternative explanations for your child’s difficulties and provide recommendations and signposting to relevant support.
Diagnostic report
Following the assessment, the consultant will prepare a comprehensive diagnostic report, normally within one month of the assessment. The report will initially be sent securely to the parent/carer for review. You will have the opportunity to notify us of any factual inaccuracies within the report. Once reviewed, the report will be shared with your child’s GP. The report will not be shared with your child’s school or any other professionals unless you request this and provide the appropriate consent.
Treatments costs
Autism Assessment - £1800
Combined ADHD & Autism Assessment - £2500
For ADHD
Titration review appointments with prescription* (in-person or video) - £250
6-monthly routine review appointments (in-person or video) - £250
*Please note there will be additional charge for the medication at the
pharmacy for each prescription.
If you are interested in an Autism Assessment please email contact@jacobsclinic.co.uk or
call 0161 6478039.
