Private Autism Asssessments for Children

When looking into what causes ASD in children, it can be helpful to understand that genetics play a significant role. This means if your child has autism, there’s a likelihood that it’s a part of their genetic makeup, just like other inherited traits.

However, autism isn’t just about genetics. It represents a unique way the brain develops and processes information, contributing to the diverse ways your child might experience the world and interact with others. This variation in brain development is a normal and natural part of human diversity, similar to the varied ways in which we all look, speak, and move.

These differences in your child’s brain can manifest in special ways of thinking, learning, and relating to others. Children with autism may have their own unique ways of playing, communicating, and seeing the world. This diversity in brain development is a testament to the wide range of human capabilities and perspectives.

Understanding your child’s autism as a part of this broader neurological diversity is key. It helps us appreciate and celebrate these differences rather than viewing them as deficits. This view not only fosters acceptance and inclusion but also highlights the unique strengths and contributions that children with autism bring to our world.

When it comes to treating autism in children, our approach is centred around providing a supportive and understanding environment, not just for the child, but for the parents as well. Recognising that each child with autism is unique, we emphasise the importance of a personalised approach to treatment.

Key to this approach is referring your child to a specialist child psychologist who can help them navigate their world. The psychologist will work closely with your child to help them understand themselves better, exploring how they perceive the world around them, and helping them develop more effective communication skills. This journey is about helping your child uncover their authentic self, especially important in a world where they may feel pressured to conform to societal norms.

For parents, we provide tailored support to help you understand how best to support your child. It’s about empowering you with knowledge and strategies to meet your child’s needs. This includes learning how to manage sensory sensitivities and emotional dysregulation, common challenges for many children with autism. These challenges are often responses to feeling overwhelmed or stressed, not inherent aspects of autism. 

For children with autism, as with adults, therapy is a journey of self-discovery. Many children may not have had the opportunity to explore and develop their own authentic identity. Our therapy sessions offer a safe and supportive space for this exploration, aiding them in building an identity that is both genuine and fulfilling.

When we talk about autism we often hear about the idea of a spectrum, but a more accurate representation might be to think of it as a wheel, encompassing a continuum of diverse experiences and needs. In this wheel, everyone with autism is unique, and they experience things in their own way – this includes how they handle sensory stimuli like noise and lights, how they talk and communicate with others, how they understand other people’s feelings, and even how they move.

Some people with autism might find certain lights or sounds really overwhelming, for example, while others might not be bothered by them at all. In terms of talking and understanding others, some might find these things challenging, while others might not have as much trouble. And just like anyone else, physical coordination can vary too – some people might find certain activities like sports or handwriting difficult whilst others may not.

It’s also important to remember that the kind of support someone with autism needs can change from day to day. It’s not about thinking of autism as ‘mild’ or ‘severe.’ Instead, it’s about understanding what each person needs at different times to help them feel comfortable.

Understanding autism as this wide range of experiences and traits allows us to fully appreciate each person’s uniqueness and tailor our support to their specific needs.

Our autism assessment package costs £2100. This includes:

• 2 hour diagnostic observation appointment (ADOS-2) – £1000
• 2 hour developmental history appointment (comprised of 1 hours with the client and 1 hour with the informant) – £850
• 1 hour feedback session, and a report sent a few weeks after this final session – £250

No, we accept self-referrals, meaning you can directly approach us for an assessment without needing to go through your GP first.

Autism can present differently in girls compared to boys, and understanding these differences can be important for early diagnosis and support. Our clinicians are well aware of these nuances and always consider them during assessments, knowing that autism can be less apparent in girls than boys.

Studies suggest that autism is more frequently diagnosed in boys than girls, with ratios ranging from 2:1 to 16:1, although more recent estimates suggest a ratio closer to 3:1. This difference in diagnosis rates may be due to various factors, including the possibility that autistic traits in girls are often overlooked or misdiagnosed as anxiety.

Girls with autism often face unique social challenges. They might be expected to behave in certain ways to fit in socially, leading to a reliance on ‘masking’ their autistic traits. This process of masking involves hiding or disguising parts of themselves to better fit in with those around them. Unfortunately, this can often lead them to experience anxiety and depression.

Girls with autism may also find school challenging. While some girls with autism can form good friendships, they might socialise differently too, such as preferring speaking to friends online or socialising for shorter periods of time. Our team’s understanding of these differences is crucial to providing accurate assessments for girls.

At our clinic, diagnosis will be carried out by our team of autism specialist psychologists. Our psychologists are not only experts in their field but they also possess a deep understanding of the complexities of autism spectrum disorders. Their expertise is grounded in years of specialised training and experience, enabling them to conduct comprehensive assessments and provide an accurate diagnosis.

Our team is experienced in recognising the various manifestations of autism and tailoring their approach to meet the unique needs of each child.