CHILD & ADOLESCENT AUTISM
Supporting Your Child’s Potential with Clear, Clinical Insight
Does my child have autism?
Autism can present in many different ways. Some children may show signs early on, while others may mask their difficulties, especially in social settings.
Understanding your child’s needs is the first step toward the right support.
Common signs of autism in children may include:
Delayed speech or language development
Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
Limited use of gestures like pointing or waving
Avoiding eye contact or facial expressions
Preferring to play alone rather than with other children
Struggling to make or keep friendships
Difficulty understanding social cues, tone of voice, or body language
Taking things very literally or struggling with sarcasm and jokes
Rigid thinking or needing things done in a specific order
Strong resistance to changes in routine or unexpected events
Becoming distressed in busy or noisy environments
Emotional outbursts or shutdowns when overwhelmed
Meet Our Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists
“An autism assessment is about more than recognising behaviours — it’s about understanding your child’s way of seeing and experiencing the world. By looking closely at their strengths, challenges, and developmental history, we can offer clarity and guide families toward the right support.”
— Dr Tania Saour, Consultant Child & Psychiatrist
If you recognise these signs in your child, an autism assessment could help bring clarity.
What happens in an Autism Assessment?
Your child’s autism assessment takes place across three carefully planned stages to build a clear and accurate picture.
It starts with an online consultation with a specialist child and adolescent psychiatrist to explore your child’s current challenges, with questionnaires sent to you, your child’s school, and — where appropriate — your child.
Next, you’ll have a structured interview with a second clinician to discuss your child’s developmental history in depth.
Finally, your child will attend an in-person play-based session, allowing us to observe how they interact, communicate, and respond to their environment.
Once all information is gathered, we’ll talk you through the outcome clearly and guide you on the right support, whether that includes therapy, school strategies, or other next steps.
Treatment and Support for Autism in Children & Adolescents
Autism doesn’t need to be “treated,” but many children benefit from supportive interventions that help them manage overwhelm, develop key skills, and feel empowered in daily life. These may include:
Parenting support and guidance to help you respond to your child’s needs with confidence
Autism-informed group programmes that build connection, shared understanding, and community
CBT or talking therapy to support emotional regulation, anxiety, and self-esteem
Nutritional therapy to explore links between diet, energy, mood, and sensory sensitivities
Movement and fitness support tailored to your child’s sensory profile and nervous system
Medication if needed, for co-occurring conditions like anxiety, sleep difficulties, or attention challenges
We also help families understand school accommodations, communication strategies, and how to advocate for their child’s needs at every stage. Whether your child is newly diagnosed or already receiving support, we’re here to guide you through what’s next — with care, clarity, and respect for your child’s individuality.
Our Fees – What’s Included in Your Autism Assessment
Comprehensive Child & Adolescent Autism Assessment – £1,850 £1,480
Your child’s autism assessment is carried out by a multidisciplinary team, including a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and a second specialist clinician. Across a series of appointments, we take the time to build a complete picture of your child’s communication, behaviour, sensory profile, and developmental history. This process follows NICE guidance and includes gold-standard assessment tools.
Three-Part Assessment Process – Included
Initial consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist to gather clinical history, explore current concerns, and collect questionnaires from parents, school, and (where appropriate) the child.
Structured developmental interview with a second clinician to explore early childhood milestones and behaviour patterns.
In-person play-based observation with your child, allowing us to understand how they engage, interact, and respond in real time.
Detailed Written Report – Included
You’ll receive a comprehensive diagnostic report within 7 working days, including:
A clear outcome and diagnosis (if appropriate)
A personalised profile of strengths and needs
Tailored recommendations for support, therapy, and school accommodations
We’re committed to offering thoughtful, high-quality autism assessments with transparent pricing, expert insight, and no rushed decisions. Whether your child is just starting their journey or you’ve been seeking answers for some time, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
We Follow NICE Guidelines and Are CQC Registered
All our child and adolescent autism assessments follow the latest NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines, so you can trust that your child’s care is safe, evidence-based, and aligned with national standards.
Each assessment is carried out by experienced clinicians and includes a thorough developmental history, structured interviews, and recognised diagnostic tools — including the ADOS-2, a gold-standard observational assessment for autism.
We also take time to explore co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing differences, and how your child’s profile presents across home, school, and social settings.
Matter of Health is fully CQC registered, which means we meet national standards for quality, safety, and compassionate, person-centred care. You can feel confident knowing your child is in experienced and regulated hands every step of the way.
FAQs
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Autism is described as a spectrum because it affects people in different ways and to varying degrees. No two autistic children are exactly the same — some may have strong verbal communication skills but struggle with social interaction, while others may find sensory input overwhelming or need more support with everyday routines. The spectrum includes a wide range of strengths, challenges, and behaviours, and our assessment is designed to recognise your child’s unique profile, not just a checklist of traits.
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An autism assessment is a structured process carried out by clinical specialists to understand whether a child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It involves gathering detailed information about your child’s development, behaviour, communication, and sensory experiences — across home, school, and social settings. We use gold-standard tools like the ADOS-2, follow NICE guidelines, and take time to build a full picture of your child’s needs.
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Every child is different, but signs of autism may include difficulties with social interaction, differences in communication, sensory sensitivities, repetitive behaviours, or strong resistance to changes in routine. Some children mask their differences, especially in structured environments like school. If you're noticing signs that concern you, an assessment can provide clarity and support.
Even if symptoms change over time, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition — it doesn’t simply go away. With the right support, children can learn strategies to manage their symptoms effectively, build on their strengths, and thrive at school, at home, and socially.
Getting an early diagnosis and the right interventions can make a big difference in helping children reach their full potential.
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Our full child and adolescent autism assessment is £1,850, currently available at a 20% discounted rate of £1,480. This includes three separate appointments with experienced clinicians, a comprehensive diagnostic report, and recommendations for support.
ADHD isn’t just “naughty” or “difficult” behaviour — it’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain manages attention, impulse control, and organisation. A comprehensive assessment with a specialist can help you understand whether your child’s challenges are due to ADHD or other factors, such as anxiety, learning difficulties, or changes in their environment.
Getting a clear diagnosis can bring clarity and relief, helping you find the right strategies and support to help your child thrive.
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If your child receives an autism diagnosis, we’ll provide a clear, compassionate explanation and a detailed written report. The report includes a personalised profile, recommendations for therapy and support, and guidance on school accommodations or next steps. We can also support you in understanding your child’s strengths and how best to advocate for their needs.
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Yes — Matter of Health is fully CQC registered. This means our clinic meets the nationally recognised standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for quality, safety, and patient-centred care.
Being CQC registered ensures your child receives care that is thorough, evidence-based, and delivered by professionals who are committed to maintaining the highest standards.
You can feel confident knowing you and your child are in trusted, regulated hands.
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The autism assessment includes both online and in-person components. The initial consultations and developmental history interviews are held online, while the final session — a play-based observation with your child — takes place in person to allow for accurate, real-time clinical observation.
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Yes. Matter of Health is fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which means we meet national standards for quality, safety, and person-centred care. You can feel confident that your child is in experienced, regulated hands throughout the assessment process.
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We know how important timely support is when your child is struggling. We aim to offer assessment appointments within 1–3 weeks, depending on availability and your schedule.
Our friendly team will work with you to find the soonest convenient slot so your child can start getting the help they need without long waits.