A careful, person‑centred autism assessment.
An autism diagnosis is rarely a single moment of clarity. It's an unfolding picture, drawn from your history, your sensory and social experience, and structured observations of how you interact with the world. We build that picture with you, over two appointments, with validated diagnostic tools and unhurried clinical conversation.
We use the two gold‑standard instruments: the ADI‑R (a structured developmental interview) and the ADOS‑2 (a direct in‑person observation). Combined with clinical formulation, this is what NICE CG142 (adults) and NICE CG128 (under‑19s) recommend.
Adults and young people seeking an autism diagnosis.
For adults exploring an autism diagnosis later in life, often after being missed or mis‑labelled for years. For young people (aged 6+) where social communication, sensory differences or rigid interests are affecting school and family life. We also assess where ADHD and autism may co‑occur.
Not sure where to start? Our free autism screener (AQ-10 for adults, ASSQ for children) takes a few minutes and helps you decide whether a full assessment is worth booking.
What's included.
The autism pathway is more involved than ADHD, two appointments, two diagnostic tools, and a longer report.
- Pre‑assessment scoping call, once you've sent a referral or booked, we come back to you to confirm we're the right fit and answer practical questions.
- ADI‑R interview (3 hours) with a parent, partner or someone who's known you for a long time, a structured developmental history.
- ADOS‑2 assessment (60 minutes) at our Bedford clinic, a direct observation conducted by Cheyenne, our Child & Adolescent Developmental Specialist.
- Multi‑disciplinary clinical review, Tina and Cheyenne discuss the combined picture before issuing findings.
- Comprehensive written report within 14 days, diagnostic outcome, clinical formulation, and recommendations.
- A feedback call if you need one, arranged once you've read the report, to walk through what it means.
The validated tools: ADI‑R and ADOS‑2.
You'll see these names a lot. They're not magic, they're well‑researched, decades‑validated instruments that structure what would otherwise be a subjective clinical impression. Used together, they give your assessment diagnostic weight beyond a single clinician's opinion.
ADI‑R · the developmental interview
The Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised is a structured interview conducted with a parent or partner, someone who's known you a long time. We explore early childhood, communication patterns, social development, and routines or special interests. It typically takes 60 minutes.
ADOS‑2 · the in‑person observation
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition is a series of standardised social and play tasks that gently surface communication and interaction patterns. It's not a test you can pass or fail, it's a structured way of seeing how you respond in a known environment. It must be done in person.
The process, step by step.
A five‑step pathway over roughly four to six weeks, depending on appointment availability and your preferences.
Your pathway
Typically 4 to 6 weeks totalYour report, written for you, and your GP.
The autism report is more substantial than the ADHD one, typically 12–18 pages. It needs to be, because the picture is more layered.
What's in the report
- A summary of presenting concerns and reasons for assessment.
- Developmental and contextual history from the ADI‑R.
- Behavioural observations and scoring from the ADOS‑2.
- A clinical formulation explaining how the evidence fits together.
- A diagnostic outcome, confirmed, ruled out, or sub‑threshold with explanation.
- Recommendations for support: sensory adjustments, communication strategies, workplace or education provisions.
- A plain‑English summary of "what this means for you", the most read page of the report.
Reports are accepted by NHS GPs, schools, SENCO teams, universities, DSA assessors and employers.
After your diagnosis.
An autism diagnosis can land in a lot of different ways, relief, grief, confirmation, complication. We hold space for all of that, and we follow up in practical ways:
- Sensory and communication support, onward referral to specialist therapists where helpful.
- Workplace and education letters, supporting reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
- Co‑occurring ADHD screening, common with autism. If suspected during your assessment, we'll flag it.
- Connection to community, signposting to autism‑led peer support and advocacy organisations.
Wondering about ADHD too?
It is important that you only pay for the assessments that you need. If during the ADHD assessment autistic traits are present, we will discuss this with you and review your options. The two assessments cost the same whether you book together or separately. The autism assessment is the £950 top-up cost, which is £250 less than a standalone £1,200 autism assessment.
Combined ADHD + Autism pathway →Cost & payment.
Autism assessment pricing depends on whether you’re coming to us specifically for autism, or whether you’ve already done an ADHD assessment with NeuroFX. There are three options:
- Top-up to a completed NeuroFX ADHD assessment: £950. The onboarding and screening from your ADHD assessment carry over, so we focus on the autism-specific work (ADI-R + ADOS-2 + the autism-specific questionnaires).
- Standalone autism assessment: £1,200. Full onboarding, autism-specific screening tools, ADI-R, ADOS-2, multi-disciplinary review and the full written report.
- Combined ADHD + Autism pathway: £1,625. The ADHD assessment (£675) plus the autism top-up (£950). You get two assessments, two diagnoses and two separate reports. Booking them separately costs the same.
All three include the first conversation, both autism appointments, the multi‑disciplinary review, the written report, and a feedback call if you need one. Interest‑free three-instalment payment plans are available across all options.
- Sibling booking: £80 off the second child assessment when booked together.
