Do Local Authorities/NHS recognise your diagnosis

Our diagnosis is based on international standards such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 or ICD-11 which are followed worldwide. We follow robust assessment guidelines which are based on NICE * (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) guidelines which are the same as those that should be followed by the NHS. We work as a team with NHS and other services when the needs of your child requires. Our diagnosis has been accepted in the UK. We get requests for assessments from all parts of UK and have undertaken assessments for children resident in ​

• Bedfordshire

Are your assessments face to face or online

We offer a mixture of telephone and face to face appointments in most circumstances. These are arranged at a time that is mutually convinient. We endeavour to have face to face appointments for every child.

What is the cost of assessment

Following cost applies to self-paying parents/carers ​ Initial Assessment for up to 60 minutes: £350 Initial Assessment for up to 90 minutes: £400 Initial Assessment for up to 120 minutes: £500 Follow up to 30 minutes: £150 to £250 dependent on complexity Any additional time spent over the set limit for assessment, when available, may incur cost of £100 per 30 minutes or part thereof. ​ Please note specialist assessments by other professionals such as Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Clinical or Education Psychologist, investigations etc. may incur additional cost if not advised initially. ​ All investigations requested as a part of assessment are not included in the assessment cost. They are payable directly to the concerned third party. There is a small charge for medication prescriptions outside of consultation appointment for example repeat prescriptions. ​ Cost of Autism and ADHD assessment depends on a number of factors including the age of the child and complexity of presentation. We request parents to contact Autism Doctor for specific cost relevant to their child. Cancellation charges: Any cancellation without a prior notice of at least 48 hrs may be subject to administrative charge of £100/- to cover admin/ room hire fees etc. ​ Please pay to the invoice using BACS ( bank transfer).

How soon can we expect the assessment

We are able to offer the first appointment usually within 2-4 weeks of us receiving the referral information. The reports take up to 4 weeks or so after the last assessment is completed or the information received in most circumstances.

How is Autism Assessed

No two children with Autism Spectrum are the same. The autism assessment is like putting pieces of a jigsaw together. The assessment is often multidisciplinary which means more than one expert is involved. ​ The most important contribution in the assessment of Autism is that of clinical history. We tailor this part of the assessment to each child based on the standardised recommendations. ​ We recommend the right experts who will be able to assess your child for specific aspects of Autism such as their social interaction and communication style etc. We will also offer a direct observation of the child or young person to elicit their behaviours in the context of Autism. This is all geared to the age and language level of the child. ​ We also ask for information from other settings where applicable. ​ You will be given a clear plan of what assessment tests are being offered that meet your child's needs ​ In rare circumstances where all of these steps may not be possible, Autism Doctor will suggest alternative options, again keeping best practise at the core of assessment. ​ For Autism assessments we use a combination of assessment tools depending on the presentation of the child or young person. For Autism some of the following assessment tools may be used Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) 3-Di ADI-R ADOS-2 BOSA (Brief Observation of symptoms of Autism) TELE-ASD-PEDS Children’s Communication Checklist-2 Neurodevelopmental School Observation Report by educational setting Specialist assessment and observations by clinical psychologist and or Speech and Language Therapist (SALT)

How is ADHD assessed

ADHD requires careful consideration of the child’s history and behaviour at home, and how it correlates with the child's presentation in another setting such as at school. ​ We use tailor made tools to take a standardised history and correlate it clinically. For ADHD some of the following assessment tools may be used: SNAP-IV questionnaire Neurodevelopmental School Observation

What is a 3Di assessment

The Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3Di) is a parental interview usually undertaken as a telephone appointment. The child is not required for this assessment. One or both parents can join in this interview. It takes about 60 minutes to complete in most circumstances. ​ The aim of this interview is to establish how likely it is that your child has symptoms of Autism. ​ During this interview the interviewer uses a framework of questions that cover verbal and non-verbal communication, social relations as well as rigid, repetitive, ritualistic and sensory behaviours of your child. There are often choices of answers to the questions. The interviewer may give you those options as appropriate. The interviewer will ask you some examples of statements that you may have made e.g.: “he always takes things literally” as today he said “it can’t rain cats and dogs as they are animals not raindrops falling from the sky”. ​ At the end of the assessment the clinician will be able to give you feedback as to whether your child is likely to have Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Please note that the terms Asperger’s, Autism are currently not in use as they are all now merged into Autism Spectrum Disorder. ​ The 3Di outcome does not mean that the diagnosis is confirmed. The clinician will confirm the diagnosis after collating information from other sources, developmental history and other tools for assessments and information from the 3Di interview. ​ You will be guided throughout the interview. If at any stage you are not sure please ask.

What is an ADOS-2 assessment

The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured, standardised assessment instrument that includes a number of play-based activities designed to obtain informationin the areas of communication, reciprocal social interactions, and restricted and repetitive behaviors associated with a diagnosis of Autism.

What is BOSA assessment

BOSA, or Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism, is a newer diagnostic tool in the assessment of Autism. It is an adaptation of another tool used for assessment of autism in children, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). It provides opportunities for a parent to engage with the child through semi-structured activities, creating a context in which to observe symptoms of autism. ​ It involves you as parent to administer series of timed activities with your child using standardised toys and activities. You will be given instructions on how to administer these on the day. The instructions are fairly simple. ​ The clinician will observe, ask additional questions as required and analyse the observation and report it. The clinician will confirm the final diagnosis after collating information from other sources, developmental history and other tools for assessments and information from the BOSA.

What is a SCERTS assessment

SCERTS is an evidence-based framework to support children and young people with Autism in the areas of Social Communication and Emotional Regulation using Transactional Supports. This can be very helpful if your child has a lot of emotional dysregulation. In other words if they get frequent meltdowns that cannot be explained. SCERTS -based assessment adds rich detail to the strengths and needs of your child in relation to social communication and emotional regulation whilst providing strategies for home and educational settings. The format is through detailed questionnaires from parents, educational staff and video observations. In some instances, video-calls might be arranged, and in a few instances face-to-face assessment might be required.

What is the role of Paediatricians in neurodevelopmental assessment

Paediatricians are best suited to establish a good developmental history which is essential for a diagnosis of Autism. Paediatricians can also consider other possible diagnosis including serious conditions like epilepsy, Developmental Delay, Dyspraxia, medical syndromes, and other a range of medical diagnosis. Paediatricians are specifically trained for medical examination of children and young people. NICE guidelines recommend physical examination as an essential part of diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Do your clinicians have NHS experience

Most clinicians working for Autism Doctor have experience of working in the NHS. Our lead clinician Dr Deepshikha Thakur works for the NHS at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. She is the lead doctor for Autism and principal Investigator of KASPAR research project related to interventions in Autism. In addition she is the Designated Medical Officer (DMO) in West Hertfordshire. She has strategic role in supporting children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND).

Do you assess children covered under insurance

Yes we do. Our lead clinician Dr Deepshikha Thakur is recognised by major insurance providers such as ​ Aetna Aviva AXA BUPA Cigna Healix Vitality Health You will need to obtain an authorisation code to book the first appointment. ​ Speak to your insurance provider if you are not sure. You will need an authorisation code and a GP referral letter​ prior to contacting us for any assessment under insurance. Please contact us for individual circumstances.

How can a timely diagnosis help

There are often long and unclear pathways for assessment of Autism and other Neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) , Developmental Delay, Dyspraxia etc. Lengthy waiting times for assessment is frustrating to families and in the absence of clear diagnosis parents and professionals may not be able to adequately support the child's needs. Delayed diagnosis can lead to increased stress and strain on relationships. It can also deny the child the help they need. ​Research has established that early interventions can be effective for many children.

What is TELE ASD PEDS assessment

TELE ASD PEDS is a type of video assessment to observe young children suspected to have Autism. It is a fun and relaxed activity with toys that most children have in their homes. During this assessment you will be requested to play and interact with your child using a few toys. The observer notices the spontaneous responses of your child with you when you play and interact with him/her. It is a relaxed session with the planned activities that most parents/carers undertake with their children regularly using commonly available toys. We will provide you with all the instructions and guidance on how to do it when it has been agreed.

What is an ADI-R

The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is a diagnostic interview used in determining whether or not children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Administering the ADI-R does not directly involve the child—instead, it is an interview conducted by a trained professioanal with the child’s parents or other caregivers. The ADI-R focuses on the developmental history of the child as well as current problems. It is a very detailed and therefore lengthy assessment that can be undertaken using teleconsultation. It is helpful when some symptoms of ASD are not apparent when interacting directly with the child in a face-to-face assessment.

What is the age range of children and young people that you assess

We offer assessments of children and young people from birth to 16 years and 11months.

Do you offer assessments requested by Local Authority

Yes we do. Please discuss individual circumstances with us.

I have medical insurance but I am not sure if I am covered?

Our lead clinician Dr Deepshikha Thakur is recognised by major insurance providers such as ​ Aetna Aviva AXA BUPA Cigna Healix Vitality Health ​ Speak to your insurance provider if you are not sure. You will need an authorisation code prior to contacting us for any assessment under insurance. ​ Please contact us for individual circumstances.

Which guidelines/diagnostic tools do you use?

All our assessments are based on recommended standard or national guidelines such as National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and Diagnostic statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5). During the COVID-19 pandemic we are following Public Health England Guidelines for face-to-face assessments. We are undertaking some assessments online as per new protocols in order to provide safe and standardised care. Please refer to our COVID-19 safety policy. ​ Diagnostic tools are specific to your child's needs.

Do you offer a multi-disciplinary assessment?

Yes we offer assessments by different clinicians such as speech and language therapist, clinical psychologist, education psychologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist etc. as required for the child. ​ Our clinicians are handpicked and experts in their field and have experience of working with children and young people.

Can you help in Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?

A lot of parents often want support in the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process. At a small additional cost we can help with completing the medical information on the EHCP form when requested by the local education authority following our assessment.

What information do you need for an assessment?

It is helpful to understand why you have come to us for an assessment. If we understand this we can help you best. ​ We need information from other sources for a comprehensive assessment. For most children who are in an educational setting, we will request school information via parents. ​ We also request parents to send all relevant previous assessments and reports e.g. Speech and Language Therapist (SALT), Clinical Psychologist assessments or Education Psychologist reports, ideally prior to the initial assessment.

What are the NICE guidelines for Autism Assessment?

NICE recommends that the autism assessment team should include:

• paediatrician and/or child and adolescent psychiatrist