Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment and Diagnosis For Children and Young People

Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning it affects each person differently. While every child is unique, there are common challenges often associated with autism, such as difficulties with social interaction, communication, and a preference for routine or repetitive behaviours, interests, and activities.

However, it’s equally important to recognise the strengths and unique qualities that children with autism often display. Many have exceptional attention to detail, remarkable observational skills, intense focus, and immense creativity, often stemming from their unique ways of thinking and approaching the world.

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What does an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis involve?

 

At Rainbow Medical, we understand how important it is for parents to feel confident and supported throughout their child’s autism assessment. That’s why we strictly follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for autism assessments, as well as the best-practice guidance published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. These standards ensure that your child receives the most reliable and thorough evaluation possible.

We diagnose Autism and ADHD using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. This approach allows us to deliver a gold-standard report that is widely recognised by GPs, schools, local authorities, and other key stakeholders involved in your child’s care and support.

Remember, a diagnosis is not a label; it’s a key to understanding and supporting your child in a way that celebrates their strengths and addresses their challenges. It’s also an opportunity to connect with other parents, caregivers, and individuals in the autism community who can share experiences, advice, and encouragement. Together, you can build a supportive and empowering environment for your child’s growth and success.

All assessments and meetings with your Psychiatrist will take place either over the internet or at our Leicester clinic. For talking therapies and your appointments with your therapist or counsellor, these can take place in Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Coventry, Northampton, Oxford, Worcester and Edinburgh.

Step 3 is an in-person assessment and takes place either in our Leicester or Edinburgh clinic.

An autism diagnosis involves a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure a comprehensive assessment. The MDT usually includes professionals from diverse fields: Psychiatrists, Clinical or educational psychologists, Speech and language therapists and Occupational therapists.

Rainbow Medical psychiatric assessments are conducted by a psychiatrist. For your ADHD diagnosis, medication initiations and medication reviews, you will always meet a Psychiatrist.

  1. Before we meet each other, all your preliminary screening will have been reviewed by a psychiatrist. You will receive guidance written by one of our psychiatrists at your feedback and recommendations appointment. 
  2. For your medical assessment and diagnosis, you will always meet a Psychiatrist.
  3. There are NO hidden fees; see our fees page for full details.
  4. Your preferences, needs and values will guide our clinical decisions. This co-production enables our person-centred care.
  5. Working together/Co-production is important to us. We believe in your ability to face, experience, and survive the unknown, and that your experience can help us improve our service and aid others on their journeys.
  6. We offer Evidence-based treatment, while recognising the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Although we are led by experienced Consultant Psychiatrists, we work alongside therapists, counsellors, and other healthcare professionals to provide integrated care, fostering a holistic healing environment.
  7. We will always be frank: without openness and transparency, co-production cannot work.
  8. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values; if we make a mistake, we will put things right.

The first step is preliminary screening for neurodiversity. Autism and ADHD can be comorbid with one another, as well as other conditions and NICE guidelines stipulate the consideration of the differential diagnoses.

Rainbow Medical follows the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for all Autism assessments, both for Adults and Children, as well as the best-practice guidance published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPSYCH). Our ADHD assessments meet NICE guidelines and follows RCPSYCH best-practice guidance. Autism and ADHD is diagnosed using The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5) criteria.

This means we can offer a gold-standard report recognised by GPs, workplaces and local Authorities. Our neurodivergent and autism pathway is thorough. We can also provide you post-diagnostic support.

We will send you, your child and their teacher some online assessments to complete. 

We will also send you a ‘GP referral request’ to take to your GP and also ask you to complete an online ‘Neurodevelopmental history request’ form, so we can get to know your child better.

In line with our approach to person-centred care and co-production, after all the preliminary screening is completed we will ask you and your child to come and see us in person (although this can be done online, if you prefer). You will meet an experienced Counsellor or Assistant Psychologist. This is the first opportunity for us to meet one another, face-to-face, and discuss any concerns and the challenges you and your child face. 

Before we meet each other, all your preliminary screening will have been reviewed by a psychiatrist. You will receive guidance written by one of our psychiatrists at your feedback and recommendations appointment. 

If the initial screening shows enough Autism symptoms are present, you will be supported onto the next step in the pathway.

The results from the initial screening may show your child does not have enough symptoms for the further assessment of Autism; although they may not have enough Autism symptoms to fulfil a diagnosis, they may have some traits of Autism that may create some difficulties and that they could benefit from some targeted counselling. Our Counsellors will offer you guidance and support in understanding the screening process and what the results mean for your family.

The Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised Edition (ADI-R) is an in-depth, two-and-a-half-hour interview conducted online with an assistant psychologist. This interview is designed to gather detailed information about a child’s developmental history and behaviour patterns. Parents, guardians, or caregivers – particularly those who have known the child from an early age or have a comprehensive understanding of their behaviours during key developmental stages – are essential participants in this process. Their insights play a crucial role in ensuring an accurate and thorough assessment.

This is also known as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). The ADOS-2 is an in-person session between your child and the trained assessor.

During this semi-structured interview, the assessor observes and evaluates key areas such as:

  • Communication: How your child expresses themselves and responds to others.
  • Social Interaction: How they engage with people in different situations.
  • Play Skills: How your child approaches imaginative or structured play.
  • Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours: Patterns or routines that may be characteristic of autism.

This session is designed to understand your child’s unique strengths and challenges, providing essential insights to guide the overall diagnosis and recommendations for support.

This step is the first time you and your child will meet with the psychiatrist. During this session, the psychiatrist will take time to answer any questions you may have and discuss any potential differential diagnoses as part of a thorough, best-practice autism assessment.

A differential diagnosis involves exploring other possible conditions that could explain your child’s symptoms. This process helps ensure the diagnosis is accurate and comprehensive. The psychiatrist will consider:

  • Your child’s symptoms and how they present.
  • Their medical history and any relevant developmental milestones.
  • Your family health history to identify patterns or genetic factors.
  • Results from previous assessments and observations.


This careful approach helps the doctor distinguish autism from other conditions with similar traits, such as ADHD or anxiety, ensuring your child receives the right support and resources tailored to their needs.

An autism Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) is a group of specialists from different disciplines who work together to assess and support people with autism. It is at this MDT meeting that the diagnosis of autism will be decided. 

Why an MDT Is Important:

  • Autism presents differently in individuals, requiring multiple perspectives for accurate diagnosis.
  • The MDT ensures that all areas of development are thoroughly evaluated, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis.

Team members review findings together, focusing on the core areas of concern:

  • Social communication challenges.
  • Repetitive behaviours or restricted interests.
  • Consideration of differential diagnoses or co-occurring conditions (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing issues).

The team uses established criteria such from the DSM-5 to determine whether the observed behaviours meet the threshold for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.

This follow-up meeting with the psychiatrist is an important step in understanding your child’s diagnosis and planning for their future. Here’s what you can expect and how to make the most of this session:

How to Prepare:

  • Reflect on your child’s needs: Consider areas where your child might need support, clarification, or additional resources.
  • Write down questions: Prepare questions about the diagnosis, therapies, educational needs, or long-term planning for your child.
  • Think about goals: Reflect on what you hope to achieve for your child in areas like education, social development, or daily life skills.
  • Be open: Share your observations, concerns, and successes to help the psychiatrist understand your child better.

This meeting is about creating a personalised plan to help your child thrive while supporting their unique strengths and addressing their challenges.

What to Expect:

Discussion of the Diagnosis

  • The psychiatrist will confirm your child’s diagnosis based on all previous assessments and observations.
  • They will explain what autism means for your child, focusing on how it manifests in their daily life.

Understanding Your Thoughts and Concerns

  • The psychiatrist will listen to your feelings about the diagnosis.
  • This is your opportunity to share your goals, concerns, and any preferences for therapies, interventions, or accommodations for your child.

Collaborative Planning

Together, you and the psychiatrist will create a personalised plan, which may include:

  • Therapies: Recommendations such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training, or counselling tailored to your child’s needs.
  • Educational Adjustments: Advice on accommodations at school, like Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) or support staff.
  • Support Networks: Connecting your family with autism advocacy groups, parent support networks, or community resources.
  • Daily Strategies: Practical tips for managing sensory sensitivities, improving communication, or establishing routines that benefit your child.
  • A follow-up plan may also be discussed to track progress and adapt as your child’s needs evolve.

Clarification of Implications

The psychiatrist will explain how the diagnosis impacts access to support, including:

  • Educational and therapeutic resources.
  • Insights into your child’s strengths and areas that need additional support.
  • Understanding your child’s rights under disability laws and policies, such as accommodations in school or healthcare.

Empowerment and Education

  • This session will empower you with the knowledge to better understand and advocate for your child.
  • You may receive recommendations for helpful resources, such as books, websites, or local support groups, to guide you and your family.

This meeting is designed to help you feel supported and informed, equipping you with a clear pathway to provide the best care and opportunities for your child’s development.

After the assessment process, the psychiatrist will prepare a detailed Autism report for your child. This report will include:

  • Your child’s diagnosis.
  • Individual findings from the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) assessment.
  • Results from the Autism Diagnostic Interview conducted earlier in the process.

You are welcome to ask for clarifications or adjustments to the report to ensure it accurately reflects your understanding of your child’s experiences and needs.

Purpose of the Report

For You as a Parent:

  • The report helps you understand your child’s diagnosis, providing clear insights into their strengths and challenges. It also serves as a guide for how to best support their development, both at home and in their social and educational environments.

For Your Child:

  • The report is a tool to help your child (at an appropriate time) understand their unique qualities, including their strengths and areas where they might need extra support. It provides validation and helps them embrace their individuality.

For Support Teams:

  • Educators, therapists, and caregivers can use the report to tailor learning plans, therapies, and accommodations to meet your child’s specific needs.

For Accessing Services:

  • The report is often required for securing resources such as disability accommodations, educational support, or specialised services to ensure your child gets the right help at the right time.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), also referred to as Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), are neurodevelopmental differences – meaning they result from variations in how the brain develops and functions. Autism isn’t something bad; it’s simply a different way of experiencing the world. Think of it as a rainbow, full of light and dark hues, where every shade represents unique qualities. Embracing this diversity is a reminder that being different is what makes us human, and your child’s unique perspective brings something special to the world.

Dr. Josep Vilanova

Consultant Psychiatrist

1. Meeting your Counsellor and initial screening.

You will meet an experienced Counsellor. This is the first opportunity for us to meet one another and discuss any concerns and the challenges that you and your child face. We will ask you to complete a series of pre-assessment questionnaires. Some to be completed by you, some by your child and some by a teacher who knows your child. 

In line with our approach to person-centred care and co-production  we’ll offer you a second appointment to bring in your completed forms and discuss them with a your Counsellor, and to decide whether to proceed with the rest of the assessment.

Plan A

The results from the initial screening may show your child does not have enough symptoms for further assessment of ADHD. Although they may not have enough ADHD symptoms to fulfil a diagnosis, they may have some traits of ADHD that may create some difficulties and that they could benefit from some targeted counselling, without the need of seeing a psychiatrist or having medication. Our Counsellors will offer you and your child guidance and support in understanding the screening process and what the results mean for your family.

Plan B

If the initial screening shows enough ADHD symptoms are present, you and your child will be supported onto Step 2, for a comprehensive diagnostic interview between your child and an experienced Counsellor.

If a diagnosis of ADHD is likely we will ask you to request a GP referral.

2: Comprehensive diagnostic interview with an experienced Counsellor

You will have an appointment with your Counsellor who will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic interview called Young DIVA-5. You can find out about it by clicking here.

The Diagnostic interview will take between 90 and 120 minutes.

3: Meeting your Consultant Psychiatrist and Diagnoses

Even if criteria for Young DIVA-5 are not met, you and your child will be seen by a Consultant Psychiatrist. Only Consultant Psychiatrists can give a diagnosis of ADHD. 

As part of the diagnostic process, we will include an assessment of your child’s needs, coexisting conditions, social, familial, and educational or occupational circumstances and physical health. This appointment will typically last an hour. 

If your child does not have enough ADHD symptoms to fulfil a diagnosis, they may have some traits of ADHD that create some difficulties and they could benefit from some targeted counselling, without the need of seeing a Consultant Psychiatrist or having medication. 

We only assess children from the age of 5 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 will need a child ADHD assessment rather than an adult assessment.

Your Consultant Psychiatrist will include any recommended reasonable adjustments in your child’s ADHD report. Please call us on 0800 054 1850 if you have any questions.

A referral is not required initially. However, if a diagnosis of ADHD is likely, we will let you know when to request a GP referral. This is part of how our approach differs from other services: The Preferences, needs and values of you and your Child will guide our clinical decisions. This co-production enables our person-centred care.

Your Consultant Psychiatrist will also undertake a general psychiatric assessment, noting any common co-morbid psychiatric conditions which may be contributing to your child’s current difficulties. These can include anxiety, depression, or traits of autistic spectrum condition. Your Consultant Psychiatrist will discuss and give guidance about what further assessment and treatment options are available for these conditions.

Medications will not be provided during the assessment. An appointment to discuss different treatments will be offered by your Consultant Psychiatrist. We can only prescribe medication with sufficient knowledge of your child’s physical health. These checks will include blood pressure, pulse rate, height and weight. Because Co-production and person-centred care are our core values, we will discuss, with you and your child, non-pharmacological treatment and non-pharmacological treatment in combination with medication.

NICE guidance on ADHD

These guidelines cover recognising, diagnosing and managing ADHD in children, young people and adults. They aim to improve recognition and diagnosis, as well as the quality of care and support for people with ADHD.

 

Information on ADHD

 

ADHD charities

Below we have included details of some charities that work with and for people with ADHD:

  • ADHD Aware – A charity run by volunteers, some with experience of ADHD themselves, who offer information and support meetings. 
  • ADHD Foundation – A charity advocating for people with ADHD and other physical and psychological health conditions.
  • Scottish ADHD Coalition – A charity providing support to adults and children with ADHD in Scotland, and their parents, carers and families.

 

Peer support groups

  • Support groups, ADHD UK – ADHD UK run peer-support groups, informative lectures and Q&A sessions.
  • ADHD support group meetings, ADHD Aware – ADHD Aware run peer support group meetings to provide a safe space. These groups are for people with ADHD and their friends and families.

 

Wellbeing information

  • Live Well, NHS – Information from the NHS on healthy living.
  • Mindfulness, NHS – Information from the NHS on mindfulness.
  • Sleep and tiredness, NHS – Information from the NHS on sleeping and tiredness.

All assessments and meetings with your Psychiatrist will take place either over the internet or at our Leicester clinic. For talking therapies and your appointments with your therapist or counsellor, these can take place in Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Coventry and Edinburgh. 

You can find our Fees and Cancellation policy by clicking here.

We believe that often people may have complex clusters of symptoms that may involve different diagnoses. In fact, this is often the case with neurodivergent people, where symptoms of ADHD, autism and other conditions such as Dyslexia or Tourette’s often co-exist.   In these cases, rather than following a strict, diagnosis-based, pathway, we offer a treatment plan looking at the individual symptomatology, specific for each patient. This approach is in line with our core values: https://www.rainbowmedical.co.uk/our-values/

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that affect how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. As a parent of a child with autism, it’s important to understand that autism is not a disease or something “wrong” – it’s simply a different way of thinking, processing information, and experiencing the world.

Key Characteristics of ASD

Children with autism often share some common traits, but every child is unique. Characteristics of ASD may include:

  • Social Interaction Challenges: Difficulty understanding social cues, making eye contact, or forming connections with others.
  • Communication Differences: This could range from delayed speech development to challenges understanding figurative language or expressing emotions.
  • Repetitive Behaviours or Routines: A preference for structure, routines, or repeated actions, which can bring comfort and predictability.
  • Special Interests: Intense focus on particular topics, activities, or objects, often displaying incredible knowledge or skill in those areas.
  • Sensory Sensitivities: Heightened or diminished responses to sensory experiences, such as sound, touch, taste, or light.

Strengths in Autism

Autism also brings unique strengths and talents. Many children with ASD have exceptional attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and the ability to focus deeply on tasks they’re passionate about. These strengths can become wonderful assets as they grow and develop.

Understanding and Support

As a parent, understanding your child’s individual needs and strengths is key to supporting them. Early intervention, tailored support, and therapies can help your child navigate challenges, build skills, and reach their full potential.

Remember, autism is not a limitation – it’s a different way of being. Your child’s perspective and abilities are unique gifts that add to the diversity of the world. Together, you can celebrate their individuality and help them thrive.

As a parent seeking information and support for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), the following reputable resources in the UK can help:

National Autistic Society (NAS)

  • The UK’s leading charity for autistic individuals and their families, offering comprehensive information, support services, and resources tailored for parents.
  • Website: www.autism.org.uk

NHS Autism Information

  • The National Health Service provides detailed insights into autism, including symptoms, diagnosis, and available support services.
  • Website: www.nhs.uk

Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych)

  • This resource offers specific information for parents and carers, covering various aspects of autism and guidance on accessing help and support.
  • Website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

Young Minds 

All assessments and meetings with your Psychiatrist will take place either over the internet or at our Leicester clinic. For talking therapies and your appointments with your therapist or counsellor, these can take place in Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Coventry, Northampton, Oxford, Worcester and Edinburgh.

Step 3 is an in-person assessment and takes place either in our Leicester or Edinburgh clinic.

An autism diagnosis involves a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure a comprehensive assessment. Here’s an outline of how the MDT approach works in deciding an autism diagnosis

The MDT usually includes professionals from diverse fields: Psychiatrists, Clinical or educational psychologists, Speech and language therapists and Occupational therapists.

For your diagnosis, you will always meet a Psychiatrist.