Diagnosis and Next Steps

How can I get a diagnosis for my child?

The process of getting an autism diagnosis usually involves several steps:

• Start by talking to your GP or Health Visitor about your concerns. They can refer you to local specialist services who can assess your child for autism.
• The specialist will likely conduct a comprehensive assessment, including interviews, observations, and standardised tests. They may also gather information from family members or caregivers.
• After the assessment, the specialist will provide a diagnosis, if appropriate. The diagnosis may be autism or a related condition.
• Following the diagnosis, you may be referred to additional services or resources to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

It’s important to note that the process of getting an autism diagnosis can take time, and there are often long waiting lists for assessments and services.

For more information, please refer to the National Autistic Society Autism Services Directory.

My child has been diagnosed with autism, now what?

After obtaining a diagnosis of autism, the specialists involved will usually refer you to local services and help to start addressing any educational needs. However, many parents approach us for additional support both at home and school/nursery.

How we can help

We are here to offer advice and assistance with your next steps:

• We can offer general advice around the area of diagnosis and next steps.
• We can talk through our different services to see if we can help support your child’s needs.
• We can discuss potential options for funding through our bursary and/or with the support of a Local Authority EHC plan.
• We can put you in touch with another parent who has faced the same issues.

Other organisations may also be able to provide support:

• IPSEA is a charity that helps children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law.
• SOS!SEN is a national charity that aims to empower parents and carers of children and young people with SEND to successfully tackle the difficulties they face when trying to secure the right educational provision for their children