What happens before, during and after an autism or ADHD child assessment

If you’re wondering whether your child has autism or ADHD, you might be thinking about next steps - whether that’s speaking to your GP or exploring different assessment routes. Wherever you are in your journey, understanding the process can make those decisions feel more manageable.

What is autism?

According to the National Autistic Society, autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how someone experiences, communicates and interacts with the world around them.

When should I consider an autism assessment for my child?

Co-founder and Managing Director of KT Healthcare, Emily Kirsop-Taylor, explains: “It’s worth seeking a referral if differences have been present for at least 6 months, occur across multiple settings, and are impacting learning, friendships or daily life.”

For autism, this might include:

• Differences in eye contact or reading social cues

• Delayed speech or unusual language (e.g. repeating phrases or very literal understanding)

• Lack of pointing or gesturing

• Reduced social engagement

• Strong preference for routine or distress with change

• Highly focused interests

• Sensory sensitivities (sounds, textures, light)

• Difficulty forming or maintaining friendships.

What age can a child be assessed for autism?

According to Kirsop-Taylor, “Children can begin to be assessed for autism from as young as 12-18 months if there are early signs such as speech delay, limited eye contact, lack of pointing or gesturing, or reduced social engagement. 

In younger children (ages 1-5), referrals are often made through a GP to a paediatrician for early developmental assessment. From age 5 onwards, referrals become more common as differences are clearer across home, school and social settings.”

What’s involved in an autism assessment?

Autism assessments build a detailed picture of a child’s development, communication and behaviour over time.

Before an autism assessment

Before an assessment, information is gathered from multiple sources. On the NHS pathway, this begins with a GP referral, with schools or SENCOs often providing ongoing input while waiting.

Privately, clinicians typically begin with an initial discussion to decide whether a full assessment is needed.

Families are usually asked to:

• Complete screening questionnaires

• Share developmental and behavioural history

• Provide school or professional reports.

A developmental history interview with a parent or carer is a key part of this stage.

During an autism assessment

Autism assessments are usually carried out by a multidisciplinary team such as psychologists, paediatricians or speech and language therapists.

At a private provider like KT Healthcare, this typically involves:

• Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R), a developmental history session exploring a person’s early development, communication and behaviour (usually 2-2.5 hours).  

• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), where structured activities are used to observe communication and interaction, typically lasting 60-90 minutes.  

Kirsop-Taylor says, “At KT Healthcare, assessments are robust and thorough, and we ensure that sessions are long enough to gather sufficient clinical evidence. The process involves several stages, including gathering detailed background information from families, GPs and schools.”

Mumsnet user Bourbonversuscustardcream shares: “My advice is to take in a list or timeline of things you’re concerned about, and anything that’ll help you remember when [your child] did what as a baby and toddler - I found they wanted a lot of detail about [my child’s] early milestones.”

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, activity levels and impulse control. 

According to Kirsop-Taylor, ADHD can present in different ways, including:

• Persistent inattention (e.g. being easily distracted, forgetful or struggling to finish tasks)

• Hyperactivity/overactivity (e.g. constant movement or difficulty staying seated when expected)

• Impulsivity (e.g. interrupting, acting without thinking, difficulty waiting their turn)

• Challenges with organisation

• Difficulty following instructions.

What age can a child be assessed for ADHD?

Kirsop-Taylor says, “For ADHD, whilst there is no strict legal minimum age for diagnosis in the UK, most clinicians do not make a formal diagnosis before age 5. Under 5, if there are concerns around attention, impulsivity or activity levels, families can seek early support through a GP or health visitor, although a period of monitoring is often recommended as some behaviours may be developmentally typical.

Between ages 5-7, structured school environments often make differences more noticeable, and teachers may begin to raise concerns. From age 7 onwards, assessment and diagnosis tend to be more straightforward as patterns are clearer across multiple settings.

At KT Healthcare, we offer autism assessments from age 5 and ADHD assessments from age 7.”

What’s involved in an ADHD assessment?

ADHD assessments look at how a child’s attention, behaviour and activity levels present across different environments.

Before an ADHD assessment

The early stage focuses on gathering information across settings. On the NHS pathway, this involves GP or SENCO referral alongside early support. Privately, providers like KT Healthcare typically begin with a consultation to discuss concerns.

Families are usually asked to:

• Complete screening questionnaires

  Share developmental and behavioural history

  Provide school or professional reports.

During an ADHD assessment

ADHD assessments are typically carried out by specialist clinicians and, according to Kirsop-Taylor, “are typically completed in one extended session (around 2.5-3 hours), combining observation and developmental history with both the child and parent or caregiver”. 

At KT Healthcare, this may include:

• Having structured interviews (e.g. DIVA or ACE), which are standardised interviews used to explore ADHD symptoms across various settings, e.g home and school

• Discussions around a child’s developmental history with parents or carers

• Standardised tools such as Conners 4 may be used - a questionnaire completed by parents and teachers to assess attention and behaviour across settings.

What happens after an autism or ADHD assessment?

Kirsop-Taylor says, “After the assessment, clinicians review all the information and discuss the findings in a multidisciplinary team meeting, where the evidence is mapped onto DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. If a case is more complex, it may be escalated to a specialist clinical discussion with senior leads.

Once an outcome has been agreed, it is shared with the family and/or young person during an outcome call. This is followed by a detailed written report explaining the findings, whether a diagnosis has been made, and providing tailored recommendations for support at home and in school.

The report can be shared with teachers and healthcare professionals to support a consistent approach. Even where a diagnosis is not given, the assessment often highlights areas where support or strategies may be beneficial. Whilst the full process may take several weeks, the overall aim is to provide clarity, confidence and practical guidance so families feel equipped to support their child.”

How do I get my child assessed for autism or ADHD and what is ‘Right to Choose’?

In England, patients have a legal right to choose who provides their healthcare, including autism or ADHD assessments. This is known as Right to Choose. To be eligible, your child must be registered with a GP in England and not require urgent or inpatient care.

Kirsop-Taylor says, “[To get your child assessed], the first step is to go to your GP and ask them to make a referral to your local NHS service. If you are based in England, you are then able to ‘exercise your Right to Choose’. This means that if local NHS waiting lists are long, you can ask to be referred to a private provider such as KT Healthcare and the assessment will be funded by the NHS.

Sometimes GPs are unaware of this process or may refuse, so it’s important to take information from our website with you to show them. KT Healthcare’s waiting list for Right to Choose autism Assessments is 12-20 weeks.”

What’s the difference between an NHS and private assessment for autism or ADHD?

According to Kirsop-Taylor, “NHS assessments are free and accessed through your GP, school or health visitor, but waiting times can vary significantly depending on your area. 

Private assessments offer faster access and more flexibility, including tailored appointment scheduling and an initial clinical call to ensure the service is right for your child. 

At KT Healthcare, both our private and Right to Choose services follow NICE guidelines and are carried out by highly experienced clinicians. Our aim in both pathways is the same: to provide families with a clear, robust understanding of their child’s strengths, differences and support needs.”

KT Healthcare: Q&A with founders Emily and James Kirsop-Taylor

What inspired you to start KT Healthcare? 

“James and I set up KT Healthcare after our second child was born. We wanted to work together and share both the work and home load.

In 2020, during the second lockdown, our third child (then 18 months old) started showing signs of autism, and I began researching autism and the diagnostic criteria in depth. Along the way I met many other families struggling on long waiting lists for assessment, unable to access speech therapy, and generally feeling completely lost. I felt so lucky to be trained as a speech therapist and to have information at my fingertips. James and I therefore set out to help as many families as we could.

Meanwhile, our older child was struggling in school and was diagnosed with ADHD, and we realised he was a typical ‘SEN-betweener,’ struggling in mainstream education but not considered ‘severe’ enough for a specialist school. After much trial and error, we decided to remove him from the school system and home-educate.

We set up our own private autism and ADHD assessment service in 2024 and were approved for an NHS Right to Choose Autism Assessment contract in 2025. Since then, we have been able to reach over 12,000 families.”

What advice would you give to families going through an autism or ADHD assessment?

“Going through an ADHD or autism assessment can feel overwhelming, both practically and emotionally. There can be uncertainty, waiting and a lot of second-guessing, so it helps to reframe the process as fact-finding rather than a verdict. It’s about understanding how your child thinks and experiences the world, not proving something is wrong.

It’s really helpful to start writing things down early. Keep notes on behaviours (what you’re noticing, when and how often), triggers and patterns, feedback from school or nursery, and developmental milestones such as speech and social interaction. Many parents find it useful to revisit photos or videos from when their child was younger, especially around ages 4-5, as this often comes up during assessments.

Try to involve your child’s school or nursery as their input is essential in the UK. Speak to teachers or the SENCO about what they’re observing, how your child compares to peers, and what support has already been tried.

It’s also important not to wait for a diagnosis to seek support. You can request SEN support, speech and language therapy referrals, or parenting and behaviour support in the meantime. Keep the school informed throughout the process.

Emotionally, it’s very normal to feel a mix of relief, worry, guilt and validation. Try not to see a diagnosis as a fixed label for your child’s future.” 

What should parents look for when choosing a provider?

“Look for a multidisciplinary team, NICE-compliant assessments, and experienced clinicians. A high-quality assessment should include a detailed developmental history, standardised tools (such as ADOS or structured ADHD assessments), school input and direct observation. Be cautious of services offering very fast diagnoses without clear detail on process. Transparency and thoroughness matter far more than speed. 

Finally, ask practical questions, who will be involved, what the assessment includes, how many sessions there are, whether you’ll receive a full report, and what happens afterwards. A good assessment isn’t just about getting a diagnosis, it’s about gaining meaningful, accurate insight that leads to the right support for your child.”

About KT Healthcare

"KT Healthcare provides comprehensive autism and ADHD assessments for children aged 5-18 and adults, offering both private assessments with fast appointment availability and NHS-funded autism assessments through the Right to Choose pathway. 

Appointments are typically available within 2-4 weeks for private clients and around 12 weeks for NHS referrals once all questionnaires are completed. Assessments can be carried out fully online or in person, with children under 7 requiring face-to-face appointments at our clinics in Chichester or Oxfordshire. All assessments follow NICE guidelines and are delivered by experienced clinicians, ensuring a supportive, high-quality experience from start to finish."

This article is for general information only and doesn’t replace medical advice. If you’re considering an autism or ADHD assessment, speak to your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.

*This offer is only applicable to assessments purchased from 31st March up until and including 31st May.