Overview
Realising that your child could have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) might be overwhelming and fill you with feelings of guilt and sadness that you’ve somehow caused this. But it’s estimated that more than one in 100 children in the UK are on the autism spectrum, so you aren’t alone.
ASD assessments help you and your child understand where on the spectrum they are, what support they’ll need, and how to manage their autism. The assessment usually involves a series of interviews, questionnaires, and standardised tests to get a complete understanding to support your child in living a happy, healthy life.
What is an ASD Assessment?
ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) assessments accurately diagnose autism in people of all ages, though early diagnosis is ideal. This early diagnosis helps overcome a child’s hurdles, helps them play to their strengths, and handles their challenges as they age.
An ASD assessment involves a series of evaluations that observe your child’s behaviour, communication skills, and social interactions to determine whether they are on the autism spectrum. The assessment process typically includes structured interviews, questionnaires, and standardised tests like the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) to get a clear picture of your child’s unique needs.
Recognising the importance of early diagnosis, we offer ASD assessments specifically for children between the ages of 2 and 16.
Why Might Your Child Need an ASD Assessment?
Your child might need an autism assessment if you notice any of the behaviours and traits that are typical signs of ASD.
Common signs of autism in young children include:
- Limited eye contact and a lack of response to their name
- Delayed speech development or difficulty with verbal communication
- Repetitive behaviours, such as lining up toys or hand-flapping
- Over-sensitivity to sounds, textures, or lights
Common signs of autism in teenagers include:
- Struggles with understanding social cues and maintaining friendships
- Feeling overwhelmed in social settings or avoiding social interactions
- Intense interests in specific topics, often to the exclusion of other interests or needs
- Distress when routines are disrupted or plans change unexpectedly
- Continued sensory sensitivities, such as strong reactions to certain sounds, smells, or textures
Recognising these behaviours in your child can help identify whether they might benefit from an ASD assessment. This will lead to a better understanding of themselves, their needs, and the support they require.
Is a Private ASD Assessment Important?
Currently, over 87% of people are waiting 13 weeks or more for an initial consultation with an ASD specialist through the NHS. And, because the assessment doesn’t happen in just one appointment, it can be months or even years before parents get a complete understanding of their child’s diagnosis assessed.
Choosing to get a private ASD assessment will significantly shorten that wait time, meaning you and your child can get support sooner and work toward overcoming any obstacles along the way.
What Happens During an ASD Assessment?
An ASD assessment isn’t usually a once-off appointment. It generally involves a series of appointments designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation. Here’s what a typical assessment journey might look like:
- Pre-Consultation: Before your initial consultation, you’ll be asked to complete questionnaires to determine if your child needs an assessment. It may also be necessary for the school that your child attends to complete a questionnaire in support of a comprehensive diagnosis.
- Initial Consultation: During this first appointment, you can discuss your child’s developmental history, current behaviours, and any concerns.
- Observation Sessions: These appointments involve an ADOS assessment (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), where our speech & language therapist and paediatric OT observe your child’s behaviour in a structured setting. This helps assess your child’s communication skills, social interaction, and other areas relevant to an autism diagnosis. During this session, one of the multidisciplinary team members will work through the ADOS assessment with your child while the other scores their progress.
- Feedback Session: After the assessments are completed, a final appointment is scheduled to discuss the results. Here, the specialist will provide a diagnosis, if applicable, and recommend a plan for support and treatments. During this session, you’ll be able to discuss any concerns and what the next steps are.
- Follow up: Parents can utilise an appointment with our neurodiversity advocate to discuss what to do following diagnosis, including whether there are programmes available to refer to or how to deal with school and ASD diagnosis, etc.
- Additional Assessments: Depending on your child’s needs, further appointments may include speech and language evaluations or occupational therapy assessments to provide an option for intervention and ways to manage your child’s needs.
How Much is a Private ASD Assessment?
Our private ASD assessment services are priced at £200 for an initial consultation, with assessment sessions ranging from £1,500 – 1,700 if there is a need for dual diagnosis.
You can pay online through our secure payment portal, or if you prefer, you can pay over the phone or in person at the clinic. We also have an option for a payment plan for this service.
For those with health insurance, we can provide a receipt in order for you to claim from your provider.
If you have any questions or need any help, our admin team is happy to help.
Why Go Private With Mid Ulster Clinic For an ASD Assessment?
Deciding on Mid Ulster Clinic for your child’s private ASD assessment will mean your child will have their support as soon as possible. Here are some of the benefits of choosing us:
- Shorter Wait Times: Avoid the long waiting periods associated with NHS assessments and get support when it matters most.
- Personalised and Comprehensive Assessments: Receive a thorough and tailored assessment process conducted by experienced professionals who understand the nuances of ASD.
- Flexible Scheduling: Our flexible appointment times fit around your schedule, making it easier to access the care you need.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our clinic is equipped with modern, comfortable facilities designed to provide the highest standard of care throughout the assessment process.
- Multidisciplinary Care Under One Roof: Mid Ulster Clinic is the only clinic in Northern Ireland where your child can receive a complete ASD assessment and diagnosis and access to further interventions, such as a neurodiversity advocate, paediatric SLT, dietitian, and OT—all in one location.
If you’re interested in booking an ASD assessment appointment with Mid Ulster Clinic, contact us or select ‘Book An Appointment’ today.
- Medically Reviewed