Specialist Autism Assessments & Autism Diagnosis (ASC / ASD)

Based in Southampton, Hampshire, our team of highly qualified, accredited and experienced Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologists can provide specialist assessments of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC; also known as Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASD; Asperger’s Syndrome) for children and young people.  A good quality autism assessment should comprise of a few different elements and be guided by the regulations set out by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

In the first instance we offer an initial screening appointment to decide whether a full autism assessment is indicated. We would then agree together what further assessment is required. Our private practice provides autism assessments / autism diagnosis, for children and young people across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Sussex; including Winchester; Romsey; Fareham; Portsmouth; Southsea; the New Forest; Ringwood; Lyndhurst; Christchurch; Bournemouth; Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh.

Our Autism Assessment / Autism Diagnosis Process

We will take a full developmental history from parents  using the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI), and carry out a play and/or conversation based assessment with your child or young person, called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).  We also liaise with other professionals such as your GP or paediatrician and request information from school regarding your child’s performance, ability to make and maintain friendships and any additional support required. From all of this multidisciplinary information we will then be able to let you know whether we think the criteria have been met for a diagnosis of  an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and will provide you with specialist feedback and an autism assessment report.

Our assessments are provided by Clinical Psychologists who have many years of experience in this field, including expertise in assessing pre-schoolers and children with additional needs such as disabilities and challenging behaviour.  Our private practice is able to provide children, young people and families with post-diagnostic advice and support for difficulties associated with ASD both within the family home and at school. You can find out more about the services we offer on our homepage.

We are accredited to provide training to other professionals in administering the gold-standard autism assessment tools (ADOS and ADI).  We also offer consultation to other providers and teams on how to set up and co-ordinate a high quality autism assessment service.  Our ADOS Training and ADI Training provides professionals with the skills they need to be able to use these tools with competence and confidence.

If you want to get in touch with us or book an assessment, you can contact us through our new website: www.weareforwardthinking.co.uk, where you will also find details of current charges for our services on the FAQs page.