FAQs

How long will the Autism assessment take?

The ADI-R can take between 1-3 hours.

The ADOS assessment takes between 45minutes- 1 hour.

How long will the ADHD assessment take?

The ACE developmental interview takes around 1-2 hours

The QB Check and Observation of the child takes around 45 minutes.

Can I stay in the room with my child?

Initially you will join your child in the room, and we will make sure they are feeling comfortable. We often try and talk to them about their interests or ask them to bring something from home that they can talk about or makes them feel more at ease. We will then ask you to wait in the waiting area (which is next to the clinic room) and we tell your child they can have a break whenever they need. If a child is feeling very anxious, we can have a parent in the room if needed but we will ask that you do not answer any questions on behalf of your child as this can affect the scoring on the ADOS and QB Check which is why we would prefer parents to wait in the waiting area if possible.

How long will it take for the assessment report to be written?

We aim to get reports out to parents no longer than two weeks after the assessment. If there were to be a delay due to sickness, we would let you know.

Can I use my report to apply for an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)?

Our reports are in line with NICE guidelines for assessing Autism and ADHD and therefore could be used as supporting evidence to apply for an EHCP.

What support is offered following the assessment?

We offer recommendations at the end of your child’s report and during the feedback meeting we can also discuss these in more detail.

We have links with local services and clinicians and can signpost you towards support following the assessment. Many services however have long waiting times in both the NHS and private sector and unfortunately we cannot always guarantee that these clinicians will have immediate space to see you or your child. Some parents may decide to get onto the waiting list for support prior to their appointment.

Do I need to do anything to prepare for the assessment?

You/your child do not need to do anything to prepare for the ADOS or QBCheck assessments.

What does the ADOS assessment involve?

The ADOS assessment is an instrument for diagnosing and addressing ASD. Parents, don’t worry; it is not an actual test – there is no pass or fail, and there is nothing you can do to prepare your child for ADOS testing. 

ADOS stands for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and the test itself provides a standardised method for identifying ASD in children. During the 30-60 minute evaluation, children will be assessed on communication, social interaction, play, and restrictive and repetitive behaviours by two ADOS Clinicians – one who engages and the other who observes. If you are worried about having your child tested, just know that many parents feel the same way. That is why all clinicians must have completed ADOS training and have experience and an extensive understanding of ASD in children. 

When the assessment begins, your child will be administered one of four modules, depending on several factors such as age, developmental levels, and speech. They will be assessed or scored based on observations under controlled conditions. The test was designed so that an ADOS clinician could pick up on even the most subtle behaviour, so parents should not worry about whether or not their child will display specific behaviours during the hour-long evaluation. It must also be noted that ADOS is not to be used as the sole determinant of ASD; other sources of information from physicians and parents regarding early developmental history are also taken into account. 

What does the QBCheck involve?

The QB test is a diagnostic screening tool which provides objective information to aid the assessment of ADD/ADHD. The test uses age and gender matched comparisons to assess a child’s ability to concentrate, their movement and impulsivity. The Qb Test is an essential part of the ADHD pathway and the results are used in conjunction with other ADD/ADHD assessment tools to aid clinical judgement.