Autism Assessment and Diagnosis
Our Autism assessment service is for children and their families to access prompt diagnostic services. An Autism assessment can support your child and help your family plan for the most appropriate healthcare, education and support.
Our specialist diagnostic team will conduct a bespoke and expert assessment to establish your child’s neurodevelopmental needs and assess whether your child has a diagnosis of autism.
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts how people interact with the world around them. Although autism is formally classified as a disorder according to international diagnostic classifications, at Baby Speak, we refer to it as a condition because it is a different way of thinking and behaving. Watch the Amazing Things Happen video to find out more about Autism.
Autism assessments with Baby Speak…
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Our Autism assessments follow the guidelines set out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These guidelines ensure that we are carrying out an in depth and gold standard assessment. We carry out the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2).
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The assessment takes place at our Harley Street Clinic with a Paediatrician or Clinical Psychologist and a Speech and Language Therapist.
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We work with you to ensure that you understand your child’s needs and diagnosis. At Baby Speak we offer specialist Speech and Language Therapy to support your child’s language and communication needs. We can also advise on further health or education support your child may require.
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The assessment cost will be based on your child’s needs and the professionals involved.
Please contact us for a quote.
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We aim to provide an assessment date within 4 weeks.
How does the assessment work?
How does the assessment work?
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Parents will complete a questionnaire prior to the assessment to ensure we gain as much information about your child’s strengths and needs as possible.
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We liaise with your child’s school (with your consent) so that they can complete a screening questionnaire. This will provide us with important information about how your child experiences the school environment. It will also help us to better understand your child’s strengths and needs.
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We carry out the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) to assess your child’s social communication, interaction and play skills. As parents, you are asked to share information about your child’s development and usually join the assessment session. The assessment is play-based and our clinicians are experienced in engaging with your child in a fun and holistic way to observe and assess their behaviour.
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Each assessment is carried out by two experienced Clinicians including a Speech and Language Therapist and a Paediatrician or Clinical Psychologist.
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Our Clinicians will discuss all findings and are able to give you diagnostic feedback on the same day.
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Our multidisciplinary team will work together to write a comprehensive report giving a full analysis of the assessment. We include recommendations for post-assessment support. As our reports follow NICE guidelines, the diagnostic outcomes should be accepted by the NHS and education settings.
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Following the assessment, our Clinician will advise on what support options would be best to support your child. We can arrange for specialist Speech and Language Therapy at Baby Speak in your family home, child’s school or at our Harley Street Clinic.