Child Autism Assessments: The Benefits and What to Expect

When you begin querying if your child is neurodiverse, parents/caregivers are often faced with an overwhelming question: Should we pursue an autism assessment? For many families, seeking answers can feel intimidating, but it’s also an empowering step. Understanding your child through a neurodiversity-affirming lens can open doors to deeper connection, self-understanding, and support that celebrates who they are.

In this post, we’ll explore what an autism assessment involves, why it matters, and how using affirming language can positively shape the experience for both the child and their family.

Why Early Assessment Is Helpful

Early assessment can be transformative for a child and their family. Here’s how:

1. Clarity and Understanding: Rather than second-guessing behaviours or attributing challenges to parenting, caregivers gain insight into the child’s unique neurotype.

2. Access to Support: A formal diagnosis can connect families with services, funding, educational accommodations (e.g., EHCP) and community networks tailored to neurodivergent needs.

3. Empowered Advocacy: Knowing a child is autistic can help caregivers advocate for environments such as school, social settings and healthcare that respect their way of being.

4. Self-Understanding for the Child: Perhaps most importantly, an affirming diagnosis can help a child understand themselves not as someone broken or ‘less than’ but as someone wonderfully different with their own strengths.

The Role of Neurodiversity-Affirming Language

Traditional views of autism often focus on deficits or difficulties from a medicalised view, but the neurodiversity movement encourages us to reframe the conversation.

Using neurodiversity-affirming language means recognizing autism as a natural variation of human neurology and as one of many valid ways to experience the world. This shift in mindset has real impacts on the emotional wellbeing of autistic children and protects against future mental health difficulties.

Instead of saying:

• “She suffers from autism”

• “He’s-functioning/low-functioning”

• “There’s something wrong with them”

  
  

We say:

• “She is autistic” (many autistic people prefer identity-first language)

• “He communicates differently”

• “They have another way of seeing the world”

This language validates the child’s identity and encourages a strengths-based perspective.

The Benefits of a Neurodiversity-Affirming Assessment

When assessments are conducted through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, the process becomes less about diagnosing a problem and more about celebrating individuality.

Benefits include:

• Less stigma: Children are celebrated for their strengths and autism is recognised as part of the natural variation of human experience.

• More tailored support: Strengths and interests are highlighted, not just challenges.

• Better emotional outcomes: Children grow up knowing they are accepted as they are, reducing the need to mask and risk of future mental health challenges.

• Respectful collaboration: Professionals and families work together with curiosity and compassion, not blame or shame.

The Autism Assessment Process at All Things Therapy Centre

If you are querying whether your child is autistic, then we can help! We have a detailed and neurodiversity affirming assessment process that follows the same NHS pathway, meets NICE guidelines and is delivered by accredited and trained clinicians (HCPC). All autism assessments will have a minimum of two registered practitioners (Psychologist and a Speech and Language Therapist), but there are usually three of us who form the MDT. This allows us to bring a wealth of experience, training and support.

After an initial enquiry, we follow these steps:

1. Dual-referral: For under 18’s, we ask for a dual referral. This is usually parents and school but can also be another involved professional e.g., GP, Early Help Worker, Private Tutor etc. Evidence that the child is already on the NHS pathway is also sufficient.

2. Neurodiversity Screening: Questionnaire packs that screen for autism, ADHD, PDA and other mental health concerns are then sent out to parents and school. Once these are returned we will let you know if your child is meeting the threshold for further assessment.

3. Developmental History: A detailed developmental history is taken using the ADI-R, which is a verified measure recommended for autism assessments. This appointment usually takes around 3 hours and will be with one of the MDT members.

4. Observation: An observation and assessment with the child will be taken usuing the ADOS-2 measure. This is another recommended and validated tool for assessing autism. This usually takes an hour and will have a minimum of two practitioners present.

5. Outcome of the assessment: After an MDT discussion where we pull together all the information from school, parents and our observation, we will arrange to meet with you and inform you of the assessment outcome,e including whether a diagnosis has been given. This is an opportunity to really highlight the hills strengths and provide further information about our clinical decision. If a diagnosis is given, an information pack will be provided.

6. Clinical Report: Following the meeting, a detailed report will be written, signed and sent out to yourselves. This can be shared with school and the GP. The report also includes tailored recommendations and other support services.

Final Thoughts

Choosing to have your child assessed for autism is not about placing them in a box, it is about unlocking a deeper understanding of their world. When this process is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming values, it becomes a journey of empowerment, validation, and connection. Every child deserves to be seen and celebrated for who they are not who the world expects them to be. An autism assessment, when done with care and respect, can be the first step toward building a world that fits them, not the other way around.

Whilst there has been previous concerns about private assessments, we can reassure you that our pathway meet all clinical expectations and guidelines and is highly-detailed and supportive. We know that taking the next steps can be tricky and we are happy to answer any further questions or concerns. You can find details of our fees and other neurodiversity assessments on our website under the ‘Assessments’ Tab and can use the Get In Touch function to drop us an initial enquiry!