Autism & ADHD ASSESSMENT FAQs
Do you have a question about the ACCESS Autism and ADHD Diagnostic Assessment Service?
You should find the answer among our Frequently Asked Questions below or in our Privacy Policy. If you have any other questions, please contact us:
assessment@access-speechandlanguage.co.uk
Who will be working with me/my child?
Your autism and ADHD assessment will involve a multidisciplinary team of qualified and experienced professionals (as recommended by the National Autistic Society and in line with NICE guidelines).
This expert team always includes a Speech and Language Therapist, Clinical Psychologist, and either a Paediatrician (for a child or adolescent assessment) or a Psychiatrist (for an adult assessment). We also consult additional specialists whenever it’s clinically indicated (for example, if there are previous health concerns).
All key members of the ACCESS Autism and ADHD Assessment team are clinically qualified and registered with their relevant professional body.
As well as our clinical specialists, you’ll have an Assessment Co-ordinator working with you. Your point of contact at ACCESS, Alison is responsible for gathering and collating all information relating to your assessment and making sure the process runs smoothly for you.
Clinical Leads:
Dr Ranjeet Bassi, Clinical Psychologist BSc (Hons), MSc, DClinPsy, Reg HCPC
John Cane, Senior Speech and Language Therapist BA (Hons), PGDip, Reg HCPC, MRCSLT, MASLTIP
Clinical Team:
Charlie Birkett, Speech and Language Therapist BSc Hons, MSc, Reg HCPC, MRCSLT
Ming Flannelly, Speech and Language Therapist BSc Hons, Reg HCPC, MRCSLT
Senior Medical Consultants:
Dr Joanne Meran Talabani, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr Michael Layton, Consultant Psychiatrist
Assessment Co-ordinator:
Alison Hockley
What are the costs?
So you know exactly what to expect, and what’s included, we’re completely upfront with our costs.
The Pre-Assessment Screener is free of charge. The full Autism and ADHD Diagnostic Assessment, for children, adolescents or adults, is £2,800.
This covers all the steps outlined above, including the Developmental Interview, ADOS-2 Assessment, and full Diagnostic Report, giving you clear recommendations to support you, or your child. There are no extra costs.
You’ll receive an invoice once you’re booked in for your full assessment (following the Pre-Assessment Screening and only if it indicates an autism diagnosis is likely or possible). We do require payment of 50% at this point, before we can continue. And we’ll need to have received the balance payment of 50% before we send you your diagnostic report.
How quickly can I, or my child, be assessed?
One of the biggest issues facing individuals and families seeking answers, is the lengthy wait for an NHS autism or ADHD diagnosis. We understand how stressful this delay can be and aim to see everyone within a month. We don’t currently operate a waiting list.
Once you have completed our free Pre-Assessment Screening questionnaire, we’ll contact you with the results within two working days and book you in for the full assessment as soon after that as we can.
Do I need a referral from my GP or a paediatrician?
No, you can refer yourself. Many people find ACCESS through recommendations, but you don’t need an official referral from your GP, paediatrician, or school SENCO, to be privately assessed for ADHD or autism.
To begin the process, email us at assessment@access-speechandlanguage.co.uk. Please tell us who you are and whether you’re seeking an autism and ADHD test for yourself, another adult, or your child (include their age).
We’ll then send you our Pre-Assessment Screening questionnaire and your answers will show us if you’d benefit from a full assessment, or if a diagnosis of autism is unlikely. The Pre-Assessment Screening is free of charge.
Where is the ACCESS Autism and ADHD Assessment clinic?
You’ll find us within the My OT Therapy Clinic in Finchley Central, North London.
Address: Floor 2, Alexander House, 3 Shakespeare Road, Finchley Central London N3 1XE
Easily accessible by public transport or car, and close to shops and cafes, the clinic is a friendly, welcoming setting. Inside, there’s a kitchen, room for families to wait, and a sensory soft play area for children.
By tube: 4 minutes’ walk from Finchley Central station (Northern Line).
By car: Free parking for 2 hours at Tesco across the road (postcode N3 1XP). Once parked, follow Popes Drive onto Shakespeare Road.
When you arrive, please ring the bell and the therapist carrying out the assessment will come and meet you.
What happens during the in-person (ADOS-2) assessment?
You, or your child, will spend 60 to 90 minutes with one of our qualified Speech and Language Therapists, engaged in conversation and/or play.
Play-based activities:
Depending on age and language level, your assessment may involve playing with objects, social games, or story-telling activities.
Conversation:
Older children and adults are usually asked questions about various subjects, such as school, friendships, and feelings.
These conversations and games are standardised and semi-structured and are specifically tailored to your age, developmental stage and level of communication.
ADOS-2 is the gold standard assessment for ASD and provides more information to help us diagnose ADHD.
Can I attend the ADOS-2 assessment with my child?
We usually ask that family members do not stay in the room with their child during the assessment, as this can be distracting for them and potentially even affect the outcome.
However, in certain circumstances, it is necessary that one parent is present. The therapist carrying out the assessment will discuss this with you beforehand.
We’ll also ask for your consent to film your child’s assessment. Filming is necessary as the footage needs to be interpreted and discussed in full by our multidisciplinary team before a diagnosis can be given. All footage is stored and shared securely and in line with current GDPR regulations.
Will the diagnosis help me get an EHCP for my child?
You can use your Diagnostic Report to support your application for an EHCP assessment. Our assessment process follows NICE guidelines, which means local authorities should recognise the validity of our diagnosis. According to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice, they are obliged to consider all evidence presented to them, regardless of whether it comes from the NHS or a private provider.
An autism and/or ADHD diagnosis, including a full report with recommendations, will also help you and your child’s school better understand and meet your child’s needs. In addition, our clinical team may suggest statutory assessment as a recommendation of their report.
Will the diagnosis be recognised by the Local Authority / my child’s school?
Because the ACCESS clinical team, and our assessment process, operates in full compliance with NICE guidelines, there is no reason why your Diagnostic Report should not be recognised by schools, colleges and local authorities. We do recommend you check with your local authority before you go ahead, particularly if you’re planning to use the report as evidence to apply for LA support or additional funding.
What happens if I disagree with the diagnosis?
Our ACCESS clinical team are all highly experienced professionals, who are fully trained in assessing for autism and ADHD, and use gold standard assessment tools. Our diagnostic process follows all NICE guidelines and the National Autistic Society recommendations.
If it’s your child being assessed, we also work closely with you, the parent, through every stage of the process. We’ll communicate directly with you after the Pre-Assessment Screening and in the Diagnostic Interview.
Following the free screening stage, we’ll make it clear if we think a diagnosis is unlikely.
Whatever the outcome of your full autism and ADHD assessment, you’ll receive a detailed Diagnostic Report, and have the opportunity at the Feedback Meeting to ask our clinician anything you’re unsure of or you’d like to understand in more depth.