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Here’s the FAQ’s complete guide to Child assessments at Chase Lodge Hospital. If you are a parent searching for clear information about autism and ADHD assessments for your child, you are in the right place! We will look at the questions children usually inquire about the evaluation process, the factors to be anticipated during and after it, the various sorts of assessments we provide, and the assistance available after the evaluation. We are set on giving you the details that you will need to decide on your child’s health and growth wisely. It is our conviction that you will contemplate the possibility of taking advantage of our assessments offered to help your child to grow.
When you reach out to us, we will ask a series of questions to help determine the best assessment to start with. Many parents suspect their child might struggle with both ADHD and autism. If this applies to your child, we recommend our combined ADHD and autism assessment, which explores whether your child meets the diagnostic criteria for both conditions.
We utilise gold-standard tools for our child assessments and adhere to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Our assessments are evidence-based, and our clinicians maintain the highest standards of practice set in the UK. As a result, further NHS assessments should not be necessary. After receiving a report confirming the diagnosis, you can share it with your GP or your child’s school to update their records.
Generally, once we complete our screening, we can finish the entire process within a few weeks. For a more accurate estimate of waiting times, please contact us, as these times may vary depending on demand.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s communication, social interactions, and how they experience the world. Autistic children may struggle to understand social cues, express themselves verbally or nonverbally, and may exhibit repetitive behaviors or specific interests. Since autism is a spectrum disorder, symptoms can vary widely among children, with each child having unique strengths and challenges.
Autism assessments for children can begin as early as two years old. Early detection is vital for accessing effective interventions that can significantly improve a child’s outcomes.
To begin, contact Chase Lodge Hospital and fill out a brief online referral form. This form helps our team understand your child’s needs and arrange an initial virtual consultation to discuss the most appropriate assessment pathway.
A multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals diagnoses Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children. The assessment consists of five components:
Pre-clinic Questionnaires: These gather contextual information from the school, parents, and other professionals involved in the child’s care.
Detailed Interview: We conduct this with a parent, guardian, or family member who can provide information about the child’s presentation and developmental history. This is combined with the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI), which identifies specific neurodevelopmental concerns. A Paediatrician administers this on the same day or virtually later.
ADOS-2 Assessment: This standardized assessment evaluates strengths and difficulties in core aspects associated with ASD, such as communication and social interaction. A Speech and Language Therapist or psychologist administers this and it takes 45 to 90 minutes.
Multidisciplinary Discussions: After gathering all information, we hold discussions, followed by a 30-minute feedback session with parents and the child post-assessment.
Comprehensive Report: This report includes medical insights and recommendations for educators and the wider multidisciplinary team. It ensures that the plan addresses the child’s medical, developmental, and educational needs.
The assessment for your child includes two parts (ADOS-2 and ADI-R), each conducted by a different clinician. If both assessments occur simultaneously, they typically last about 2.5 hours. We aim to provide preliminary feedback on the same day.
We cannot guarantee a definitive diagnosis for your child, as our assessment process relies on clinical expertise. If we determine that the criteria for a diagnosis are not met, we will discuss this with you during the feedback session and provide recommendations based on your child’s strengths and needs.
Whether challenges stem from neurodevelopmental disorders like autism or ADHD or other difficulties, gaining insights and support for your child can help align with their needs and personal values. Regardless of whether a formal diagnosis is reached, we can provide a comprehensive report outlining strengths, needs, and suggestions for support.
The cost for a comprehensive autism assessment package, including pre-clinic questionnaires, developmental history, ADOS-2, ADI-R, a 30-minute feedback session, and a formal written report with recommendations, is £2100.
Parents should inquire with their insurance provider about coverage or explore local charity groups and NHS services that may offer financial aid for child assessments.
We take privacy seriously and store your child’s information in line with GDPR guidelines—see our Privacy Policy.
Chase Lodge Hospital offers multidisciplinary autism information workshops, speech therapy, clinical psychology, and occupational therapy support for your child, among other resources, to establish achievable goals and strategies for their health, development, and educational progress.
If a broader assessment is needed for your child, we can conduct further evaluations for conditions such as Developmental Coordination Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Learning Disability, and Mental Health assessments.
When you reach out to us, we will ask a series of questions to help determine whether it is best to start with one of these assessments. However, it is relatively common for people to suspect that they are the child might be struggling with both ADHD and autism. If this is the case for you, we would recommend that your child has our combined ADHD and autism assessment, which will explore whether they meet the diagnostic criteria for both conditions.
We use the gold standard tools for our assessments and follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when offering our services. This means that our assessments are evidence-based and that our clinicians adhere to the highest standards of practice set in the UK. As such, further NHS assessments should not be required. Once you have received a report from the service confirming diagnosis, you can distribute the report e.g. to your GP or child’s school so they can update their records.
Generally, once our screening has been completed we can complete the whole process within a few weeks. We would recommend contacting us for a more accurate idea of waiting times as this is subject to change depending on demand.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people’s ability to pay attention, control impulsive behaviours, and manage their energy levels. People with ADHD might find it hard to focus, sit still, or finish tasks. They might also act before thinking or have trouble organising their thoughts and actions.
The process starts by submitting a referral form through the Chase Lodge website, followed by an initial consultation to discuss your child’s needs and the assessment pathway.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is diagnosed by professionals who are highly skilled and experienced in carrying out diagnostic assessments. There are 4 components to the assessment:
The assessment would typically last about 2.5 hours, with feedback provided on the same day.
Medications commonly used to treat ADHD are stimulants like Methylphenidate and Amphetamine-based treatments, which help improve concentration and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity.
We cannot guarantee a definitive diagnosis. Our assessment process relies on our clinical expertise. If we determine that the criteria for a diagnosis are not met, we will discuss this with you during the feedback session and provide recommendations based on individual strengths and needs.
Whether the challenges you or your child are facing stem from neurodevelopmental disorders like autism or ADHD, or from other difficulties, gaining insights and support can aid in aligning with personal values and life objectives. Regardless of whether a formal diagnosis is reached, we can furnish a comprehensive report outlining strengths, needs, and suggestions for support.
The assessment cost for child ADHD is £895, with potential additional costs for specific treatments or medications depending on the individual case.
We take privacy very seriously and will store your information in line with GDPR guidelines – see our Privacy Policy.
Following diagnosis, support may encompass behavioural interventions, educational assistance, occupational therapy guidance, medication management, and access to workshops offering strategies for coping with ADHD.
If a broader assessment is needed to consider other conditions, we can carry out the further assessments to assess for: Developmental Coordination Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Learning Disability and Mental Health assessments.
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