What does an autism or ADHD assessment look like for a child or teenager?

Initial consultation

The first step is an initial consultation with an Affiniti+ psychologist.

This is an opportunity for us to hear your personal story and to find out why you’ve decided to seek an assessment.

In order to assess whether autism, ADHD or both are present in the child or teenager, we need to assess them in different settings. Once we’ve agreed that an assessment is appropriate, we will therefore ask for questionnaires to be filled out by a parent or carer, by the child or teenager (if age-appropriate) and by their school or college. We will also arrange a school visit.

The initial consultation will last around 30-40 minutes.

Three people sitting with their eyes closed, smiling and appearing relaxed in a room with a plain white wall.

Parent or carer interview

We will conduct an in-depth interview with the parents or carers of the child being assessed. This can be in person or online, and we’re happy to offer evening appointments, to fit around the working or school day.

This consultation will cover everything from the mothers experience of pregnancy and birth through to the child's bonding with parents, learning to walk, talk and use the toilet, eating habits, sensitivities and personality. You will be asked what your child is like at nursery or school, and whether there is any relevant history or experience of trauma. You will be asked about your child’s social relationships and their ability to empathise, as well as any repetitive behaviours and specialist interests. We will look at whether there is any family history of autism, ADHD or mental ill health.

When a child is being assessed for ADHD, the consultation will take a very similar form, but with a particular focus on significant life events.

When a child is being assessed for autism and ADHD, we will be particularly comprehensive in our questioning.

This consultation usually lasts around 90 minutes. Occasionally, another consultation session is required, depending on family history.

A woman in a maroon blazer sits on an orange armchair holding a magazine, talking to a man in glasses and a beige shirt, who is sitting on a similar chair. A small wooden table with decorative bottles and reeds is between them, against a white wall and a brick wall on the right.

Child interview

A child or teenager being assessed for autism is invited into our office to complete an ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) assessment.

This is a semi-structured, standardised assessment of communication, social interaction and play. It is considered the gold standard of autism assessment.

In the ADOS interview, we will invite the child to play with the psychologist conducting the assessment. We will also ask some questions, in a relaxed and informal manner.

In an ADHD interview, the child will be assessed according to the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD.

When a child is being assessed for autism and ADHD, they will be assessed according to ADOS and DSM-5.

This session will last up to 90 minutes.

A young man and a woman are sitting and engaging in a conversation in a cozy room with a brick wall. The woman is smiling and holding a remote control, while the young man is listening attentively. There is a small wooden table with decorative items between them.

School or nursery observation

If your child is at nursery or primary school, we will arrange a visit lasting four or five hours. Part of this will involve observing your child in a structured and an unstructured setting – for example, during a lesson and at breaktime.

We will also speak to your child’s teacher, or to whoever knows your child best at school or nursery.

When your child is at secondary school or college, we will ask for a report from the school. We will then conduct an interview with relevant staff members – usually your child’s form tutor and the school special-needs coordinator (Senco).

Where a secondary-school child already sees a psychologist or has other mental-health support in place, we will ask them for a report, too.

Children seated at a table looking at and drawing pictures in books, in a classroom with boxes and supplies in the background.

Report

We will then take all the information that we have gathered during these interviews and observations, and write it up into a detailed report.

We will send you a draft of the report once it is written. You will be able to read this draft and suggest any changes before it is finalised.

The report will consist of a detailed summary, followed by a series of appendices. These appendices will include: the parent or carer interview; the ADOS or ADHD DSM-5 reports; the interview with the child or young person; the educational observation; the mental-health report (if required); the outcomes of all questionnaires given.

This full report can be shared with your GP and your child’s school Senco.

We will also give you a copy of the summary report, without the appendices. You can share this version more widely, wherever you think it might support your child’s needs.

A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair looking at a computer screen in an indoor setting.