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Autism Assessments for Adults and Children

Our Autism assessments are in line with NICE guidelines, are multi-disciplinary and in line with the reports that we do in the NHS. The cost for an Autism assessment is £2150. A joint ASD and ADHD assessment costs £3500. 

Below we have outlined the process we use to assess for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

1. Simply contact us via email or give us a call to refer yourself/your child for a private ASD assessment at the Nook Neurodevelopmental Clinic.
2. We will send out screening questionnaires for you/your child to complete. We screen for other mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety and depression) as well as Autism, as often there can be other co-morbid difficulties.
3. For child assessments we will ask for the best person to contact at school to send screening questionnaires to and we gather a descriptive account from the school. This helps us to get an understanding of how your child presents when they are at school.
4. We will arrange a time to complete the Autism Diagnosis Interview Revised (ADI-R). This is a developmental interview with parent(s) or carer(s) to gain an understanding of your behaviours at home over time. The Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R) is used to diagnose Autism, plan treatment and distinguish Autism from other developmental disorders. This is completed via Zoom and takes around 2-3 hours. For adults assessments, If you do not have parents that are able to do this, it would be helpful if there is someone that knows you well that we can speak to and you can join them on the call.
5. The formal assessment takes place face to face which involves a social communication assessment  (ADOS-2). This is done jointly by two professionals (Clinical Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist).  The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) is considered the “gold standard” in diagnosing ASD. It consists of a semi-structured, standardised assessment of social interaction, play, and imaginative use of material for individuals suspected of having ASD from 12 months old to adults. This assessment takes around 1 hour and is face-to-face at the clinic.
6. Following the assessment, we will provide a detailed report including recommendations for future support.
7. We will arrange a 30-minute feedback appointment (via Zoom) to answer any questions you might have about the report.
8. If further support is required, we can signpost you to a number of clinicians who can assist you.

Autism in Women and Girls

Although autism has historically been considered a predominantly male condition, there is now a growing awareness that the condition manifests itself differently and more subtly in females. In many instances, difficulties with social communication can be less visible in girls and may not always be particularly apparent, e.g. in a school/work setting.

Girls may be more able to follow social rules through observation and better mask their difficulties by learning to copy behaviour i.e. using skills based on intellect rather than social intuition. They may be quicker to apologise and appease when they make a social error, increasing the likelihood of their unusual behaviour being overlooked or forgotten by others.  It is also important to recognise that this can be an exhausting process and can contribute to distress and reduced coping, although this distress may be seen in the home setting rather than at work or school.

Girls are often more socially aware and socially driven, and so more likely to seek out play and interaction opportunities (whilst often being ‘led’ by peers rather than initiating activities themselves). They may have one special friend with whom they share an intense, sometimes dependent, relationship. As they grow in self-awareness and recognise their ‘differences’, girls may take greater pains to avoid drawing attention to themselves, for example by being quiet, well behaved and compliant at school or work.

We have a lot of experience diagnosing girls/women with ASD and will ask some additional questions during our developmental interview and ADOS assessment in addition to a questionnaire designed for girls with ASD to look ensure we are capturing the differences in presentation for girls/women with ASD.

ADHD Assessment Children and Adults

Our ADHD assessments are in line with NICE guidelines, are multi-disciplinary and in line with the reports that we do in the NHS. The cost for an ADHD assessment is £1850. A joint ASD and ADHD assessment costs £3500. 

Below we have outlined the process we use to assess for ADHD both combined and inattentive subtypes.

1. Simply contact us via email or give us a call to refer yourself/your child for a private ADHD assessment at the Nook Neurodevelopmental Clinic.
2. We will send out screening questionnaires for you/your child to complete. We screen for other mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety and depression) as well as ADHD, as often there can be other co-morbid difficulties.
3. For child assessments, if you can let us know the best person to contact at school, we can out screening measures to school and a descriptive account for them to complete. This helps us to get an understanding of how your child presents when they are at school.
4. We will arrange a time to complete an ADHD developmental history (ACE/ACE + Interview) with parents/carers to gain a better understanding of their you/ your child’s behaviour over time. This is completed via Zoom and takes around 1-2 hours. For adult assessments, if you do not have a parent/carer to complete this, you can do this with someone who knows you well.
5. We will meet with you/your child for a 1-hour face to face observational assessment and to complete the QB Check. this is a computer-based test which objectively measures the three core symptoms of ADHD: activity, inattention and impulsivity. The test takes between 15 and 20 minutes depending on the individual’s age. The results are then analysed by the system and compared to individuals of the same age and gender both with and without diagnoses of ADHD.
6. Following the assessment, we will provide a detailed report including recommendations for future support.
7. We will arrange a 30-minute feedback appointment (via Zoom) to answer any questions you might have about the report.
8. If further support is required, we can signpost you to a number of clinicians who can assist you.

As we currently do not work with any psychiatrists or prescribing nurses we cannot prescribe medications for ADHD. If this is something you are looking for we would recommend having your assessment done with a psychiatrist, unfortunately we do not have any psychiatrists in our team.

We are currently not registered with the NHS right-to-choose scheme. If you want a referral through the NHS, you may need to speak to your GP about local providers.  

School Support

See below information about our school observation services and Emotionally based school avoidance support package.

School Observations

Led by our specialist teacher, Jessica Perowne with over 10 years of experience and a focus on ASD and ADHD, our School Observation Service provides a comprehensive look into your child’s daily life at school. The observation covers key moments, including classroom activities, lunchtime, and playtime. Following a complimentary phone call to discuss your child and explain the observation process, you can decide to proceed. If you choose to move forward, we will send you an initial questionnaire and request contact details for your child’s school.

On the observation day, our specialist will spend two hours at your child’s school, carefully monitoring their interactions and behaviours during various activities. This includes classroom engagement, lunchtime dynamics, and a portion of playtime. After the observation, we will meet with your child’s teacher or the school SENCO to gain additional insights. A detailed report will then be written, offering information on existing strategies and suggesting personalised approaches to better support your child within the school environment. Our recommendations may include next steps, such as formal ASD or ADHD assessments, as well as referrals to our team of specialists, such as Occupational Therapists or Speech and Language Therapists.

This process ensures a comprehensive understanding of your child’s school experience, offering valuable insights and empowering you to make informed decisions about their educational path.

Cost £500. Suitable for children ages 5-11.

Emotionally-based school avoidance support package

Our educational psychologist Dr Lucy Moore offers the below emotionally- based school avoidance support package.

Emotionally-based school avoidance or EBSA is often a complex and sensitive issue which requires patience, understanding and support over time. Therefore, this support package is often bespoke, so it can be tailored to your child’s specific needs, and can be adjusted or extended over time so that support is in place for as long as you need it.

As a guide, this package could include:

• A detailed consultation
• 3 x 1 hour, 1:1 assessment sessions with your child
• An action planning meeting with you, your child (if they feel comfortable) and school staff
• A detailed report which includes a clear and agreed-upon action plan

Cost: £1945.00

Educational Psychology Assessments

Comprehensive educational psychology assessment

Dr Lucy Moore is our wonderful educational psychologist who offer educational psychology assessments.

An educational psychology assessment can explore a wide range of skills, including communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social and emotional skills (including mental health) and sensory and physical needs.

Dr Lucy Moore will help you identify what the key concerns are, we will agree how to explore these and then you will be given clear and practical advice about how to support your child, which can be put in place at home and school.

This package is likely to include:

• A detailed consultation
• An observation of your child in school
• Gathering Information from school staff
• An assessment session (which could include multiple different assessments, as agreed)
• Exploring the child or young person’s views
• A detailed and clear report which summarises your child’s strengths, their key areas of need and the support or provision they require

Cost: £1,549

Educational psychology review

Following an initial, comprehensive assessment, Dr Lucy Moore can review your child’s progress, based on the targets and support that were initially recommended. She will work collaboratively with you, your child and their teachers to identify what is going well and what could be going better. She will provide additional advice if needed or advise upon how you can tweak or adapt what is already in place to further support their progress. 

This package is likely to include:

• A review consultation
• An observation of your child in school
• A 1:1 session with your child to gain their views and review their progress
• A follow-up report which focuses on progress your child has made and updated advice on the support or provision their require.

Cost: £775

Post Diagnostic Support

Dr Lucy Moore

Coaching and therapeutic support: helping your child to understand themselves and develop a positive ND identity

If your child has just received a diagnosis of Autism, ADHD or both, this could be a challenging time for them, whilst they try to make sense of this information. Dr Lucy Moore (Educational Psychologist) can provide post-diagnosis support which helps your child to navigate this journey, to understand who they are, including what their needs and strengths are. This support uses psychoeducation alongside tools from positive psychology and person-centred psychology. All sessions are bespoke, based on your child’s individual needs and what they most want to achieve.

Cost: £165 per hour

Emotionally-based school avoidance support package

Our educational psychologist Dr Lucy Moore offers the below emotionally- based school avoidance support package.

Emotionally-based school avoidance or EBSA is often a complex and sensitive issue which requires patience, understanding and support over time. Therefore, this support package is often bespoke, so it can be tailored to your child’s specific needs, and can be adjusted or extended over time so that support is in place for as long as you need it.

As a guide, this package could include:

• A detailed consultation
• 3 x 1 hour, 1:1 assessment sessions with your child
• An action planning meeting with you, your child (if they feel comfortable) and school staff
• A detailed report which includes a clear and agreed-upon action plan

Cost: £1620

Harriet Hunter (Speech and Language Therapist)

Over the course of 6 years, Hattie has worked in specialist schools supporting a wide range of individuals to access the curriculum, understand who they are, their strengths and build their confidence in the social world. In more recent years, Hattie has focused on autism and ADHD assessment, with a focus on making the process as accessible and relaxed as possible. Hattie’s passion is making each individual feel empowered, confident and proud of the way their brain works and to help other’s see their strengths.

Hattie has ADHD has various loved ones with autism. At heart she is a gaming nerd with a passion for all things crafty. Her interests range from Pokémon, Star Wars and Harry Potter to knitting and flower pressing. Hattie sees her ADHD as a superpower and channels this into her work.

Hattie can offer 1:1 post-diagnostic sessions to help understand an individuals strengths and challenges. These can be online or face to face. She can also offer online parenting sessions, tailored to your child’s needs, this would include a tailored pack of resources.

Cost: £125 per hour

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is widely understood to be a profile on the autism spectrum, involving the avoidance of everyday demands and the use of ‘social’ strategies as part of this avoidance. PDA individuals share autistic characteristics and also have many of the ‘key features’ of a PDA profile.

PDA does not appear as a separate diagnostic condition in nationally and internationally recognised diagnostic manuals such as DSM-V or ICD-10. For this reason, we do not make this separate diagnosis. However, for a child who has been assessed as being on the autism spectrum and presents with a PDA profile, this will be recognised and described within the child’s assessment report and diagnosis.