Autism Assessments for Children (5+)
Don’t let long waiting lists hold your child back. As an NHS partner, we provide fully funded, neuro-affirming autism assessments with significantly shorter wait times. Our child-friendly approach is designed to help your family find the answers and support you deserve.
Find out more:
Who Is This For?
Children between the ages of 5 to 18
Living in England and registered with an NHS GP practice
Wishing to exercise
their Right to Choose
NHS Right to Choose Assessment
14-16 week wait time
Note: This is a minimum wait time and may vary depending on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Timelines begin from receipt of completed questionnaires and all required information.
Starting Your Child's Assessment Journey
You can ask your GP to refer your child to KT Healthcare for an autism assessment under NHS Right to Choose. Your GP will make the referral on your behalf.
Step 1
Speak to Your GP
Speak to Your GP
Book an appointment with your GP to discuss your child's concerns. During the appointment, let your GP know that you would like to use your legal NHS Right to Choose to be referred to KT Healthcare for an autism assessment.
Your GP will send us your child's referral along with any relevant supporting information.
Step 2
Referral & Questionnaires
Referral and Questionnaires
Once we receive your child's referral, our team will review the information provided and may contact your GP if further details are needed.
We will then send questionnaires to be completed by a parent or carer. We ask that you aim to return the questionnaires within 2 weeks.
With your consent, we will also contact your child’s school, college, or another setting to gather additional information. These forms help us understand your child’s development and current experiences.
This stage typically takes up to 1 month from receiving your referral and all required information. Please note that all referrals are reviewed, and acceptance is not guaranteed at this stage.
Step 3
Assessment & Outcome
Assessment and Outcome
Once the questionnaires have been reviewed, your child will be added to our waiting list, which is currently approximately 14–16 weeks minimum. Please note this may vary depending on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). When you reach the top of the list, we will contact you to arrange assessment appointments:
Appointment 1 – ADOS:
Your child will attend a one-hour session with a clinician, involving a range of structured activities and conversation as part of an observational assessment.
Appointment 2 – ADI-R:
A clinician will meet with the parent/carer for up to 2.5 hours to explore your child's developmental history and discuss their current experiences across different settings.
Following the assessment, your child’s case will be reviewed by our clinical team in a multidisciplinary meeting, usually within 1–2 weeks.
You will then receive a feedback appointment to discuss the outcome, typically 3–4 weeks after the final appointment, and a full written report should be provided within 4–5 weeks after the feedback appointment.
How Our Assessments Are Delivered
At KT Healthcare, the majority of our assessments are delivered online, allowing for flexibility and accessibility whilst maintaining high clinical standards. We also offer face-to-face appointments on request, which take place at our clinic locations in Chichester or Oxfordshire.
Online appointments require a suitable device. You must use a laptop or tablet with camera – mobile phones are not suitable.
For younger children aged 5-7, in-person appointments are required. This ensures assessments are accurate, appropriate, and fully aligned with clinical best practice. Our team will advise you if a face-to-face appointment is necessary based on age and individual needs.
Our Locations
Our services are delivered UK-wide, with flexible online appointments and face-to-face clinics available in the selected locations below.
Manchester
Address
Gainsborough House, 109 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 6DN
Contact
+44 333 004 7700Chichester
Address
Office 67, Enterprise Centre, Terminus Rd, Chichester PO19 8FY, United Kingdom
Contact
+44 333 004 7700Oxfordshire
Address
Innovation Centre, 99 Park Drive, Milton Park, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RY
Contact
+44 333 004 7700Tips for a Smoother Assessment Journey
Helpful guidance to support you through each stage of your referral, questionnaires, and assessment process.
Your Referral
- Clearly state that you want to use Right to Choose.
- Ask for your child to be referred to KT Healthcare for an autism assessment.
- Make sure your GP includes Right to Choose wording in the referral.
- Check that your child’s name, date of birth, address, and your contact details are correct.
- Ensure your GP sends the referral to the correct provider.
- If you change GP, you may need a new referral.
- Contact your GP surgery to confirm the referral has been sent.
Your Assessments
- Check your email (including your junk folder) for questionnaires.
- Complete all questionnaires in full before submitting, and allow plenty of time. As they are completed online, please make sure you do not leave the page until finished.
- Return forms within 2 weeks where possible to avoid delays.
- For child assessments, questionnaires are completed by a parent or carer, and we will also contact your child’s school or another setting (with consent).
- Make sure school details are completed correctly and inform the school they will receive a questionnaire from us.
- Check that all contact details are correct, including for your child and school.
- Let us know if you need any adjustments to complete the forms.
- Contact us if you are unsure about any questions rather than leaving blanks.
- You are welcome to check with us that your completed questionnaires have been received.
Your Appointment
- Join online appointments from a quiet, private space where your child feels comfortable.
- Test your internet, camera, and microphone in advance.
- Let us know as early as possible if you need to reschedule.
- Avoid last-minute cancellations where possible.
- The more availability you can offer, the quicker we can schedule your appointment.
- We offer face-to-face appointments at selected locations, but these may take longer to arrange.
- Please let us know if your child has any additional needs or requirements so we can support them appropriately.
Patient Reviews
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What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them. It is a spectrum, which means every child presents differently, with their own strengths, differences, and support needs.
Gaining a diagnosis can help parents, carers, and schools better understand a child’s needs and provide the right support at home, in education, and in everyday life.
Social relationships
Exploring how your child interacts with peers and adults, their communication style, friendship patterns, and how they navigate social situations at school and in other settings.
Task organisation and time planning
Understanding your child's ability to organise tasks, follow routines, manage time, and transition between activities—skills important for school and home life.
Emotional regulation
Assessing how your child experiences and manages emotions, copes with change or disappointment, and responds to situations that might cause frustration or anxiety.
Sensory overload
Looking at how your child responds to sensory experiences like sounds, lights, textures, and smells, and understanding how these might affect their behaviour and wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
We're here to provide clarity and support. Explore our most frequently asked questions to learn more about our approach.
No, self-referral is not available. You will need to speak with your GP, who can make a referral to our service if appropriate. Alternatively, you can access our services privately without a GP referral.
Yes, we are fully commissioned by the NHS to carry out autism assessment for adults and children in England. Our reports will be recognised for school/colleges and the EHCP process.
Not at present. ADHD assessments are currently available through our private, self-funded service only. We are actively developing our ADHD Right to Choose pathway and plan to launch this service later in 2026.
Most assessments are delivered online for flexibility, with face-to-face appointments available on request in Chichester or Oxfordshire. For children aged 5–7, in-person appointments are required to ensure an accurate assessment. Online appointments require access to a suitable device, such as a laptop or tablet with a camera - mobile phones are not suitable.
Yes. Our clinicians are specially trained to recognise how autism can present differently, including the impact of masking, and take this into account throughout the assessment process.
No. We will gather information from other settings your child spends time in, such as groups, clubs, or time with relatives or friends, to support a thorough assessment.
No. Referrals must come from your GP. Once we receive this and you provide school details, we will contact the education setting directly to complete our questionnaire.
Get in Touch
Speak to our team!
Whether you are ready to book an assessment or simply exploring your options, we are here to provide the answers you need. Reach out today for a confidential chat.