Social Communication
Assessment may explore conversation, social understanding, friendships, relationships, non-verbal communication and social fatigue.
Autism Assessments
Online Autism Assessments With Consultant-Led Diagnostic Review and Clear Recommendations.
Health Private provides online autism assessment for adults, children and young people. The assessment process considers social communication, developmental history, sensory needs, routines, masking, functioning and co-existing mental health concerns, with clear diagnostic formulation and management recommendations.
Assessment Overview
Autism Assessment for Social Communication, Sensory Needs and Daily Functioning.
Autism can affect social communication, interaction, sensory processing, routines, flexibility, emotional regulation, relationships, education, work and day-to-day life. Some people seek assessment because difficulties have been present since childhood, while others may only recognise autistic traits later in life, especially where masking or coping strategies have hidden the impact.
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Diagnostic clarity: assessment of autistic traits, developmental history, current functioning, sensory profile, social communication and possible co-existing ADHD or mental health concerns.
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Developmental understanding: where relevant, parent, carer or family input may help understand early development, communication, play, behaviour, routines and social interaction.
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Recommendations: the outcome may include a diagnostic opinion, written report, management plan, reasonable adjustment advice, onward support suggestions or further assessment recommendations.
Assessment Journey
Your Autism Assessment Journey From Enquiry to Recommendations.
The autism assessment process is designed to build a full picture of the person’s developmental history, current presentation, strengths, challenges and support needs.
1
Initial Enquiry
Send a short enquiry explaining who the assessment is for, the main autism-related concerns, age, urgency, and whether ADHD or other mental health difficulties are also being considered.
2
Suitability Review
Health Private reviews the enquiry to consider whether an online autism assessment is suitable and what information may be needed before the process begins.
3
Initial Online Consultation
An initial consultation explores the main concerns, current functioning, previous history, family context, education or work impact and the reason for seeking assessment.
4
Questionnaires and Screening Tools
Where appropriate, screening tools or questionnaires may be sent for completion. These help structure the assessment but do not replace clinical judgement.
5
Developmental History
For children and young people, parent or carer developmental history is especially important. For adults, childhood history, school history or family input may also be useful where available.
6
Review of Documents
Relevant school reports, previous assessments, therapy letters, occupational health reports, medical letters or other documents may be reviewed where available.
7
Clinical Formulation
Dr Hashmi considers the clinical information, developmental history, screening tools, functioning, co-existing difficulties and diagnostic criteria to form a professional opinion.
8
Diagnosis Report and Feedback
A diagnostic report may be completed where agreed, followed by a feedback or closure meeting to discuss the diagnosis, formulation, recommendations and management plan.
Children and Young People
Autism Assessment for Children and Young People.
For children and young people, autism assessment often needs information from more than one source. This may include parent or carer developmental history, school information where available, screening tools, observation of functioning and review of any previous professional reports.
Helpful information:
Parents or carers may be asked about early communication, play, friendships, sensory needs, routines,
behaviour, emotional regulation, education, sleep and family history.
1
Parent or Carer Input
Developmental history from a parent or carer can help identify whether traits were present from early childhood.
2
School and Functioning Information
Where available, school reports or information about learning, friendships, behaviour and support needs can help the assessment.
3
Child or Young Person’s Experience
The young person’s own experience is considered where appropriate, including anxiety, sensory issues, friendships, routines, masking or emotional overwhelm.
4
Feedback and Recommendations
The outcome may include diagnosis, management recommendations, school support suggestions and next steps for family or professional support.
Adults
Adult Autism Assessment and Late Recognition.
Many adults seek autism assessment after years of feeling different, struggling socially, masking, experiencing burnout, sensory overload, relationship difficulties or repeated mental health challenges. A careful assessment can help make sense of longstanding patterns and identify support needs.
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Masking and coping: some adults have learned to hide autistic traits, which can make assessment more complex and emotionally tiring.
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Co-existing conditions: anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, sleep problems or burnout may also need consideration.
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Life impact: assessment considers work, study, relationships, routines, sensory needs, daily responsibilities and wellbeing.
Why Adult Assessment Can Be Helpful
A diagnosis or diagnostic formulation can help adults understand their experiences, communicate needs, request reasonable adjustments, plan support and make sense of previous mental health or social difficulties.
Understanding lifelong patterns and differences.
Identifying practical adjustments and support needs.
Clarifying autism, ADHD or co-existing mental health concerns.
What Is Considered
A Structured Assessment Looking Beyond a Checklist.
Autism assessment should consider developmental history, lived experience, functioning, sensory profile, communication style, emotional regulation and co-existing mental health needs.
Sensory Needs
Sensory sensitivity, sensory seeking, noise, textures, lights, food, clothing, crowds or overwhelm may be considered.
Routines and Flexibility
Preference for routine, distress around change, repetitive behaviours, focused interests or need for predictability may be explored.
Developmental History
Early communication, play, school experience, friendships, behaviour, sensory patterns and family observations may be relevant.
Functioning and Impact
The assessment considers how traits affect education, work, relationships, self-care, independence and daily life.
Co-Existing Needs
Anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, sleep problems, learning needs or emotional regulation difficulties may also be considered.
Preparing for Assessment
Information That May Help Your Autism Assessment.
Providing relevant background information can help Dr Hashmi understand the full picture and reduce delays.
For Children and Young People
- Main autism-related concerns
- Developmental history from parent or carer
- School reports or teacher observations where available
- Information about sensory needs and routines
- Any previous assessment, therapy or medical letters
For Adults
- Current concerns and impact on daily life
- Childhood history or school history where available
- Family input if helpful and available
- Examples of masking, burnout or sensory overwhelm
- Previous mental health diagnoses or treatment
Useful Documents
- Previous psychological or psychiatric reports
- School, college or university information
- Occupational health or workplace reports
- Speech and language or occupational therapy reports
- Medication history and relevant clinical letters
Assessment Fees
Autism Assessment Fees.
Adult initial assessment
£500
Children initial assessment
£600
Adult follow-up appointment
£250
Children follow-up appointment
£300
Second opinion regarding diagnosis
From £750 onwards
Where a full diagnostic report, extended developmental history, document review or specialist opinion is required, Health Private may confirm any additional professional work before proceeding.
View All Fees
Emergency notice:
Health Private is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger,
call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. For urgent mental health support in the UK, contact NHS 111
or your local crisis team.