Autism identified
You receive a formal diagnosis, a full explanation of your profile, and recommendations for work and daily life, plus routes into post-diagnostic support.
Assessment
Autism Assessment for Adults
A thorough, unhurried autism assessment that looks at your whole life, not a checklist of behaviours observed in one room on one day. Completed online, wherever you are in the UK.
Overview
Who this is for
- Adults of any age, including those identified late in life
- People who mask well and have been told they 'can't be autistic'
- Adults who recognise the pattern after a child or relative was diagnosed
- People whose anxiety or burnout has never quite explained everything
Why someone might seek this
None of the following confirms anything on its own. They are simply the experiences people most often describe when they contact us.
- Social situations take noticeably more effort to navigate than they seem to for others
- Sensory environments, noise, light, texture, smell, regularly affect how the day goes
- Routine, predictability and clear expectations make a real difference to wellbeing
- Deep, sustained interests are a major source of energy and focus
- Exhaustion or shutdown follows periods of sustained social or sensory demand
- Existing support has helped a little, but nobody has explained the underlying pattern
In short
What is an adult autism assessment?
An adult autism assessment is a structured clinical process that explores how you communicate, relate to others, experience sensory information and respond to change, across your whole life. Our adult pathway has eight stages, shown in the timeline below: questionnaires and pre-assessment forms, a required informant who knows you well, multidisciplinary screening, an assessment interview using the ADI-R, ACIA or RAADS-R, informant contribution, a full team review, a feedback appointment and a comprehensive written report within four to six weeks of feedback. The whole assessment is completed online, and clinicians compare the combined picture against internationally agreed diagnostic criteria (DSM-5-TR or ICD-11). The outcome is either a diagnosis of autism, a clear explanation of why criteria are not met, or a description of another profile that fits better, always with practical recommendations.
What information is gathered
- A range of questionnaires and pre-assessment forms completed by you, covering experiences, developmental history and current presentation
- An informant, required as part of the process, such as a parent, family member, partner or person who knows you well
- Informant contribution, either by attending the clinical interview or completing a detailed supporting questionnaire
- Developmental and clinical assessment using ADI-R, ACIA or RAADS-R, chosen by the clinical team
- Full developmental and life history, from early childhood to the present day
- Standardised questionnaires completed by you and, with consent, people who know you well
- Previous professional letters and any earlier assessments
- Sensory profile and daily living information
- Your own account of what is hard, what helps and what you want to understand
How decisions are made
Your completed information is reviewed at a weekly multidisciplinary clinical meeting before the assessment proceeds, and all findings are reviewed again by the MDT afterwards. At least two clinicians from different professional backgrounds consider the evidence against DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 criteria and NICE guidance. No single clinician makes a diagnostic decision alone. Where the picture is complex, for example where mental health factors need exploring first, we say so plainly and discuss recommendations with you rather than forcing a conclusion.
What you can expect
- The whole assessment is completed securely online, wherever you are in the UK
- Findings shared verbally at the feedback appointment before the written report
- A report typically 20-30 pages, written to be read by you, your GP or your employer
The process
Your assessment journey
8 clear stages, each explained before it happens. You will never wonder what the next contact is about.
Outcomes
Outcomes and next steps
Criteria not met
We explain exactly which areas did and did not meet threshold, what else may explain your experience, and where to go next. This is never a dead end.
A different or additional profile
Sometimes ADHD, trauma, anxiety or a sensory profile explains more of the picture. We describe what we found and recommend the right next step.
Mental health considerations first
Occasionally the team identifies a need to explore mental health factors before an autism assessment can give a clear answer. Where appropriate, we discuss recommendations for further mental health assessment with you first.
Answers
Autism Assessment for Adults: your questions answered
Written to be genuinely useful, and short enough to read at the end of a long day.
How long does an adult autism assessment take?
From initial consultation to written report, most pathways complete in six to ten weeks. The report is prepared within four to six weeks of the feedback session. Where additional considerations arise at MDT screening, we tell you promptly and explain what that means for timescales.
Why do I need an informant?
An informant is required because a reliable autism assessment depends on developmental information from across your life, not only how you describe yourself today. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference, so we need someone who knew you when you were younger to help us build an accurate picture of your early development, social communication, play, routines and sensory responses. This independent, historical evidence is essential for a robust, defensible clinical decision.
Who can act as an informant?
A parent, mother or father, is preferred. Siblings who are older than you and remember your early childhood can also be very helpful. The best informant is someone who knew you well during your younger years and can speak honestly about your development, behaviour and daily life at that time. A partner, close friend or another family member can add useful current information, but they cannot replace someone who knew you as a child.
What if I do not have a suitable informant?
If we cannot identify a person who knew you during your younger years and can provide reliable developmental information, we will not be able to proceed with the assessment. This is not a refusal of support; it is a clinical safeguard. Without this evidence the assessment would not meet the standards needed for a robust diagnosis. If you are unsure whether your informant is suitable, contact us before booking and we will talk it through with you.
What does the informant have to do?
Your informant may be invited to attend part of the clinical interview with you, or they may be asked to complete a detailed supporting questionnaire in their own time. They do not need to prepare a formal statement. We simply ask them to answer questions openly about what they remember, what they noticed then and what they notice now. Our free informant preparation guide, available to download, explains everything they can expect.
Is my informant's information kept private and confidential?
Yes. Information your informant shares is used for one purpose only: to inform your assessment. It is stored securely on encrypted, access-controlled systems in line with UK GDPR, and only the clinicians involved in your assessment can see it. During the multidisciplinary team review, the clinicians who assessed you discuss the informant's account alongside your interview and questionnaires in order to reach a robust decision. It is not shared outside that team, not sent to your GP or employer, and not disclosed to anyone else without explicit consent. Your informant's contribution is summarised within your report in clinical terms; the report itself belongs to you.
Can adults really be assessed online?
Yes. Adult autism assessments run very well online, and all of our adult pathway, from questionnaires to clinical interviews and feedback, is completed securely online. Many adults prefer it because they are in their own familiar environment.
Which assessment tools do you use for adults?
Depending on your circumstances and the information gathered, one or more of the following may be used: the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised), the ACIA (Adult Clinical Interview for Autism) or the RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised). The choice depends on the nature of your referral and the clinical judgement of the assessment team.
Am I too old to be assessed?
No. Autism is lifelong and can be formally identified at any age. Many adults are identified in their thirties, forties or later, often after a child's diagnosis or a period of burnout. Adult assessment focuses on early developmental history alongside current experience, using adult-validated tools and interviews.
What is masking, and how do you account for it?
Masking is the conscious or unconscious suppression of natural responses in order to appear to fit in, making eye contact that feels uncomfortable, scripting conversation, or holding distress until you are home. It is more common in women and adults, and it is the single biggest reason autistic people are missed. We ask specifically about internal experience and the cost of coping, not just observable behaviour.
Do I need a GP referral?
We ask for a referral from a GP, another health professional or a SENCO. If a GP referral letter cannot be obtained, we ask for a copy of your GP Summary, which can be sourced from your receptionist GP service. With your consent we write to your GP after the assessment so your records are complete.
Will an autism diagnosis affect my employment?
A private report is your confidential property and is not shared without your written consent. Where people choose to share it, it usually strengthens their position by evidencing reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
Can you assess autism and ADHD at the same time?
Yes, and it is often the wiser route. Around one in three autistic people also meet criteria for ADHD, and assessing separately risks each explaining away the other. See our combined assessment pathway.
What happens if I disagree with the outcome?
Tell us. You can request a review meeting at no cost, submit further evidence, or ask for a second opinion within the team. We would rather revisit a decision than have you leave with something that does not fit.
How much does an adult autism assessment cost?
The adult autism assessment is £2,250. Pathway pricing is fixed and confirmed in writing before you commit, so there are no add-ons partway through. Ask us about payment plan options.
What do I need for an online assessment?
You need a quiet, private space, a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a piece of paper and a pencil to hand. Having water nearby and minimising interruptions helps the session feel calmer.
What people say
"Receiving our son's autism diagnosis has made such a positive difference. It has given us a much deeper understanding of him, the way he experiences the world and why certain things can be challenging for him. Instead of feeling unsure or worried, we now feel empowered to support him in the right ways so he can thrive and be fully understood. What also meant so much to us was that the care didn't stop once the diagnosis was given."
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book a no-obligation consultation, or send us a question and we will reply within one working day.