A diagnosis and a plan
Formal identification plus specific recommendations for classroom, home and any onward therapy.
Assessment
Child & Young Person Assessments
An assessment your child can actually cope with, and a report their school can actually use.
Overview
Who this is for
- Children and young people aged 4 to 17
- Families waiting on long NHS pathways who need answers sooner
- Pupils whose difficulties are visible at home but hidden at school
- Young people preparing for transition to secondary school, college or exams
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.
- School and home describe two different children
- Meltdowns or shutdowns follow the school day with predictable regularity
- Friendships are wanted but hard to maintain
- Learning ability and school output do not match
- Attendance is becoming difficult
- Existing SEN support is being delivered without anyone knowing why it is needed
In short
What does a child's neurodevelopmental assessment involve?
A child's neurodevelopmental assessment brings together information about how a child communicates, learns, plays, regulates emotion and experiences sensory input, in order to understand their profile and identify the support they need. For autism assessments, the pathway has five clear stages: first, parents or carers complete enrolment and pre-assessment forms, and we ask the school or education setting to complete a pre-assessment form too. If a child is not in education, we ask tutors, sports coaches or other adults who know them well to offer insights. Second, an ADOS-2 observation is completed either at The Chill Out Centre or within the school or education setting. Third, a full ADI-R clinical history is taken during a three to four hour online consultation. Fourth, the team completes a multidisciplinary review and then contacts you for a virtual feedback session lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Fifth, the written report is sent within four to six weeks of the feedback date. For ADHD assessments, a school observation is completed as standard and we contact the school or college directly to arrange it. All evidence is reviewed by a multidisciplinary team against recognised diagnostic criteria. Parents receive verbal feedback before a written report, which describes strengths as well as needs and sets out specific recommendations for home and school, including provision-map-ready language that can support SEN support plans or an EHCP request.
What information is gathered
- Enrolment and pre-assessment forms completed by parents or carers
- Pre-assessment form from the school or education setting, or from tutors and coaches if a child is not in education
- Parent or carer developmental interview
- ADOS-2 direct observation either at The Chill Out Centre or in the school or education setting
- ADI-R full clinical history in a three to four hour online consultation
- Direct sessions with your child, paced to their tolerance
- Teacher questionnaires and, for ADHD, a school observation arranged directly with the school or college
- School data: attendance, attainment, existing SEN support and pastoral notes
- Sensory profile and daily living questionnaires
- Your child's own views, gathered in a way that works for them
How decisions are made
A multidisciplinary review considers evidence from every setting against diagnostic criteria and NICE guidance. For autism this includes the ADOS-2 observation, ADI-R clinical history and all pre-assessment questionnaires. For ADHD this includes the school observation and all pre-assessment questionnaires. Where home and school accounts differ significantly, that difference is analysed rather than treated as a reason to dismiss parental concern.
What you can expect
- Autism pathway, stage 1: Enrolment and pre-assessment forms completed by parents or carers, plus a pre-assessment form from the school or education setting. If a child is not in education, we ask tutors or sports coaches to offer insights.
- Autism pathway, stage 2: ADOS-2 observation completed either at The Chill Out Centre or within the school or education setting.
- Autism pathway, stage 3: ADI-R full clinical history completed in a three to four hour online consultation.
- Autism pathway, stage 4: The team completes an MDT review, then contacts you for a virtual feedback session lasting 30 to 45 minutes.
- Autism pathway, stage 5: Written report sent within four to six weeks of the feedback date.
- For ADHD assessments, we contact your child's school or college to arrange a standard school observation
- Preparation materials, including photos of the room and clinician, sent in advance
- Short appointments, movement breaks and no expectation of eye contact
- Feedback for parents first, then age-appropriate feedback for your child if wanted
- A child-friendly one-page summary alongside the full report
The process
Your assessment journey
Every stage explained before it happens. You will never wonder what the next contact is about.
Outcomes
Outcomes and next steps
A profile without a diagnosis
Where criteria are not met, you still receive a full description of your child's needs and what should change to support them.
Recommendations for school
Provision written in specific, quantified terms so SENCos can implement it and local authorities can evaluate it.
Onward support
Parent sessions, therapy, occupational therapy input or school consultation as needed.
Answers
Child & Young Person Assessments: your questions answered
Written to be genuinely useful, and short enough to read at the end of a long day.
What age do you assess from?
We assess children from age four. Below that age we can offer developmental consultation and guidance, and advise whether waiting is the right call, for very young children, early support often matters more than an early label.
Do you need to speak to my child's school?
With your consent, yes. School input is a required part of a robust assessment because diagnostic criteria require evidence across settings. If you would prefer school not to be contacted, tell us at consultation and we will explain how that affects the assessment.
My child is anxious about new places. How do you manage that?
We send photos of the room and clinician in advance, offer a no-pressure familiarisation visit, allow you to stay in the room, and can conduct part of the assessment at home or school. Assessment days are never rushed to fit a slot.
How long will we wait?
Initial consultations are usually available within one to two weeks, with the full pathway completing in six to ten weeks.
Can the report support an EHCP application?
Yes. Recommendations are written in the specific and quantified language local authorities require. Whether an EHC needs assessment is agreed remains their statutory decision.
Will my child be told the outcome?
That is your choice, and we will help you think it through. Where young people are told, we provide age-appropriate feedback and a strengths-first explanation, most children find it a relief.
Do you assess for dyslexia or dyspraxia?
We screen for both as part of assessment and can add a cognitive or occupational therapy strand where indicated, or refer on to a specialist assessor.
What if my child refuses to attend?
We adapt. Home visits, school-based sessions, shorter appointments and history-led approaches are all possible. Refusal is information, not a barrier.
Can siblings be assessed together?
They are assessed individually, but we coordinate appointments and share the developmental history interview where appropriate to reduce the burden on families.
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.