What to Expect from an Autism Assessment

Before Your Assessment

After booking, you’ll be asked to complete structured forms in advance. These allow your clinician to review your developmental history (or your child’s history) carefully before the appointment.

What this includes:

For Adults:

  • Safeguarding & Suitability Questionnaire

  • Medical & Contact Information form

  • Nominated Record Sharing Consent

  • Autism screening questionnaires (e.g. AQ-50)

For Children and Young People:

  • Safeguarding & Suitability Questionnaire

  • Medical & Contact Information form

  • Nominated Record Sharing Consent

  • A detailed developmental history questionnaire

  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

Where appropriate, we may request information from a school or educational setting to understand how a child is functioning across different environments.

All forms must be submitted at least 48 hours before your appointment.

If you require reasonable adjustments (communication preferences, breaks, sensory considerations), please let us know in advance.

During Your Assessment

At the start of your appointment, we’ll confirm identity and review the information submitted in advance.

The assessment is a structured clinical evaluation guided by recognised diagnostic criteria (DSM-5) and informed by national guidance, including NICE recommendations.

We explore:

  • Social communication and interaction

  • Patterns of behaviour, interests, and sensory processing

  • Early developmental history

  • Education, work, and daily functioning

  • Strengths as well as areas of difficulty

For children, information from parents, carers, and where appropriate schools, forms part of the assessment.
For adults, we explore both early development and current experiences in detail.

The process is collaborative, and there will be time for questions throughout.

After Your Assessment

At the end of the appointment, your clinician will explain their findings and discuss whether diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder are met.

In some cases, further review of information may be required before a final outcome is confirmed. If so, we’ll explain what happens next.

You will receive a comprehensive written report summarising the assessment, clinical reasoning, and outcome within 10 working days.

With your consent, a summary can be shared with your GP or other relevant professionals.

If autism is diagnosed, we will outline recommended next steps, which may include:

  • Practical strategies for home, school, or work

  • Psychoeducation and guidance

  • Signposting to appropriate services

  • Discussion of reasonable adjustments

If diagnostic criteria are not met, we will explain our reasoning clearly and outline alternative recommendations.

Still have questions?

You don’t need to have everything decided straight away. If something here feels unclear, overwhelming, or if you’re not sure what applies to your situation, please get in touch.

Our team can help you understand your options and decide what’s most appropriate - without pressure to book.

Get in touch
support@cognitioncare.co.uk |

0203 818 8008