Autism assessments for children.
Helping every child thrive through understanding and support.
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At Oakdale, we understand that every child is unique.
Our autism assessments for children and young people aged 2–18 years are personalised, thorough and designed to help each child grow in confidence, feel understood, and access the right support for their needs.
Why families choose O Oakdale.
We value neurodiversity
We celebrate differences and take time to truly understand how your child’s brain works.
A highly experienced team of clinicians
Our teams include Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Nurse Specialists and more, all specialising in children’s neurodevelopmental assessment.
NICE compliant
Every assessment follows NICE guidelines and is tailored to your child’s needs.
Clear, detailed reports
You’ll receive a professional, easy-to-understand written report you can rely on.
Post-diagnostic support included
We stay with you beyond the assessment, offering follow-up guidance and helpful resources.
Fast access, minimal wait
Self-funded clients can access assessments sooner, avoiding the long NHS waiting lists.
What to expect.
A clear, supportive journey - from first referral to ongoing care.
Discover
Understand
Support
Referral and information gathering
Share background information, school reports, and complete questionnaires. Where applicable, education settings may be contacted for additional insight.
Parent or carer conversations
An online appointment to discuss your child’s development, strengths and any concerns.
Assessment appointment
The direct observation of your child is carried out online or in person. For younger children, sessions are play-based and in-person; for older children, more structured tasks may be used. Where appropriate, clinicians use standardised tools such as the ADOS-2.
Clinical team review
Our multidisciplinary team reviews all gathered information, considering DSM-V criteria and co-occurring needs.
Written report
You’ll receive a detailed report summarising the outcome, key observations, and next steps. Whether a diagnosis is made, we’ll provide practical recommendations, helpful resources, and signposting to support you moving forward.
Feedback appointment
An online meeting to explain the outcome, answer questions, and discuss recommendations. You can also decide, with your child, whether they would like to hear the outcome themselves and join the meeting with you.
Specialist insight.
Our team can identify subtle behaviours, including masking, to ensure accurate assessment.
We look beyond surface traits to consider overlapping profiles, co-occurring needs, and other factors that may help explain a person’s experiences.
Children and young people’s client guide
Download our guide to understand the assessment process, what to expect, and how we support children and young people.
Preparing your child
We understand that assessments can sometimes feel overwhelming, for children, young people and families alike.
To help, we can provide:
- Visual guides and social stories before appointments
- Support for children who do not attend school
When you talk to your child about their assessment, keeping things simple, positive and reassuring can help.
You might like to say something like:
“We’re going to meet some people who help us understand how your brain works - what makes it strong and special.”
“Everyone’s brain is different. Some brains need different things to help them grow and learn.”
“The assessment will help us find out what your brain needs, so we can make sure you get the right support.”
You know your child or young person best, so feel free to adapt these ideas to suit their age, understanding, and personality.
Specialists in early years assessments.
Early signs of neurodevelopmental differences, such as autism, can appear in the first years of life and our highly skilled team of specialists are experienced in providing assessments for early years children.
An early understanding of a child's needs is important to make sure they have the right help and support to develop, grow and learn.
Spread the cost or pay in full. Your choice.
For self-funded clients only.
At Oakdale, we believe that every child and family should have the opportunity to access the support they need. To help make this possible, we offer flexible instalment payment options, allowing the cost of an assessment to be spread with confidence and peace of mind.
| Assessment | Age | Pay in 3 instalments | Pay in full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autism assessment | 0-5 years | £633* | £1,899 |
| Autism assessment | 6-17 years | £633* | £1,899 |
| Combined ADHD & autism | 6-17 years | N/A | £2,499 |
*Price shown is based on selecting Klarna’s Pay in 3 instalments option. Instalment payments are available on purchases under £2,001.00.
Please see Klarna’s website for full terms and conditions.
We’ve partnered with Klarna to offer you flexible payment schedules.
You can choose to spread the cost of your assessment with 0% interest using Klarna.
Klarna will provide you with specific payment terms.
For further information or questions regarding your payment options please visit Klarna’s website.
Funding your child's autism assessment or treatment.
At Oakdale, we're an NHS-approved and trusted provider, offering several ways to access high-quality, evidence-based care.
Whichever route you access Oakdale through, you can expect the same trusted, neuroaffirmative approach and commitment to quality, with every assessment carried out by qualified professionals following NICE guidelines to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Self-funded
Book directly with us for the quickest access and full flexibility around appointments.
Right to Choose (NHS funded)
If your GP refers your child under the NHS Right to Choose pathway, your assessment and care are fully funded.
Please note: some Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) set yearly limits on funded assessments, which means waiting times can vary by area.
Other funded routes
Some people access support through their school / education setting, local authority, charity provider or insurance. We’re happy to work with external funders to ensure continuity of care.
Ready to refer your child?
If you’ve been wondering whether autism could explain your child’s experiences, an assessment can bring clarity, reassurance and peace of mind - for both you and your child.
NHS Right to Choose assessments
Information on eligibility, referral, and what to expect from NHS-funded assessments.
Got a question?
Visit our FAQ page for more information about the process, costs and what to expect.
Autism assessments for children FAQs.
Commonly asked questions.
We offer autism assessments from age 2, when developmental patterns start to become clearer.
Yes, this is common, and we can gather insight from professionals outside school who know your child well, such as tutors or therapists, to build a full picture of their strengths and challenges.
No. Our clinicians are highly experienced in recognising masking and use a range of tools and information sources, not just observation on the day, to reach an accurate conclusion.
Yes. We assess an equal split of male and female clients and see the different ways autism presents across sexes daily. Our clinicians are registered with statutory bodies requiring ongoing CPD, keeping them up to date with current research on presentation in girls specifically.
Sharing visual guides or social stories beforehand can help, along with talking through what feels tricky at home or school. Assessments are designed to feel like conversation and activity rather than a test, with breaks and comfort items welcomed throughout.