Get your Autism assessment within 6 weeks*
*Subject to forms being completed promptly
Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD NHS (Right to Choose) Services for Children and Young People
We understand that seeking an autism assessment for your child can feel overwhelming. At HealthHarmonie Minds, we’re here to support you every step of the way with a clear, compassionate, and clinically robust assessment process.
Our service is tailored specifically for children and young people aged 6 to 17½, ensuring assessments reflect their developmental stage and individual needs. Our specialist clinicians work closely with families to provide clear answers, practical recommendations, and guidance to support your child’s future. For young people nearing adulthood (due to turn eighteen within the same calendar year), we may recommend referral into adult services to ensure a smoother experience and continuity of care.
To keep your child’s assessment moving forward without delay, we kindly ask that all questionnaires are completed within the specified timeframes. Timely responses allow us to deliver the most efficient and high-quality service possible.
Through the NHS Right to Choose programme, eligible families in England can access our autism assessment services at no cost, giving you greater choice and control over your child’s care.
For our Children and Young Person’s ASD service, there are two key stages: Pre-assessment and Assessment
Pre-assessment
This stage gathers initial information to determine whether an assessment is appropriate.
Initial referral for Autism assessment.
Patient completes pre-assessment questionnaires.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) reviews case notes and questionnaires to confirm next steps.
ASD Assessment Pathway (Children & Young People)
The assessment process is delivered in two stages (Assessment A and Assessment B), designed to capture both developmental history and current presentation. This approach reflects NICE and NHS England recommendations that autism diagnosis requires triangulation of history, observation, and current functioning.
Click each step below to see what happens next
Click each step to see what happens next
Step 1: Getting Started
You will receive a secure link to begin your journey.
- Complete your questionnaires
- Provide all required information
- Share school contact details
Complete everything as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Step 2: Questionnaires
You MUST have an informant to continue.
✔ A teacher, SENCO, or school staff member
✔ A valid email address for them
Without this, your assessment will be delayed.
Why do we need an informant?
Clinicians need to understand how your child behaves in different settings.
- Build a full developmental picture
- Understand day-to-day functioning
- Ensure accurate diagnosis
This must be completed before your assessment can progress.
Step 3: Clinical Triage
Important:
There may be a delay at this stage whilst we review if an assessment is suitable at this time, please be aware we may reach out to request additional information. If you don’t not hear from us for over 2 weeks please reach out.
Step 4: Assessment A - Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R) - remote
The ADI-R [7] is a well established and evidenced, semi-structured developmental interview administered with an informant (typically a parent or carer who knew the patient in childhood). The ADI-R systematically explores domains including early language and communication, reciprocal social interaction, and restricted/repetitive behaviours. The assessment lasts approximately 180 minutes.
Step 5: Assessment B – Psychiatric Clinical Interview
The psychiatric interview consolidates findings from Assessment A and evaluates the patient’s current presentation. There are less obvious presentations of Autism where the symptoms appear more subtle possibly due to masking and structured interviews may not pick up diagnostically significant symptoms. Functional impairment and related mental health issues can be significant however for these individuals and reliance on structured questionnaires needs to be balanced with skilled and pragmatic Assessment B clinical interviews that should be aware of less obvious presentations of autism. Assessment B is structured around DSM-5 [8] and ICD-11 [9] criteria for autism.
This assessment lasts 120 minutes.
Step 6: Report & Support
Clinically-Led, Patient-Focused
We are a clinically-led service, overseen by a Consultant Clinical Psychiatrist and operated by senior mental health professionals who understand the needs of children and young people living with Autism. We work within a multidisciplinary team (MDT), ensuring that experts from a range of clinical backgrounds collaborate to provide a comprehensive, holistic approach. From initial screening through to diagnosis, every part of your care is shaped by qualified experts using best-practice guidelines and a compassionate, personalised approach.
Faster access to assessments
Our streamlined referral pathways allow most patients to be seen within weeks. That means:
- Patients get quicker answers and earlier access to treatment and support
- GPs and clinicians benefit from reduced caseload pressure and shorter backlogs
- The NHS sees improved efficiency and better use of limited resources
Holistic, evidence-based approach
At HealthHarmonie Minds, our Autism diagnosis process is multi-disciplinary, combining the latest clinical guidelines with a thorough understanding of your medical history, symptoms and lived experiences. Your diagnosis will be accurate and tailored to your needs, so you can access the right treatment and support to manage your symptoms effectively.
Your Safety Is Our Priority
Rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), we meet high standards for safe, effective care. We deliver the same quality you’d expect in hospital, delivered by experienced clinicians in a more convenient setting.
We are proud winners of Best Provider of Outpatient Services at the HSJ Independent Healthcare Providers Awards 2026