What to Expect During a Private Autism Assessment in London

As a mother, you want the best for your child in every area of life. So if you suspect your child between the ages of 5 and 16 may be on the autism spectrum, you likely want no stone left unturned when it comes to evaluation and support. Getting them assessed by an experienced professional autism team is crucial next step.

Here in London, Kove offers comprehensive and caring private autism assessments for primary and secondary school aged children. If you are considering an assessment for your child, it is understandable to feel uncertain about the process. This article breaks down what you can expect at each stage when you choose Kove, located in the heart of London.

Why Consider a Private Assessment? 

While London GPs can refer to NHS child development teams, wait times stretch to many months. Kove offers prompt and thorough evaluations within weeks, providing quicker access to support. With top autism professionals on staff, we identify tailored recommendations to benefit the child at home and school. Our warm office environment also helps put children at ease.

What Qualifications Should My Child's Clinician Have? 

Look for a well-rounded team spanning psychology, speech therapy, education, and mental health with autism specialties. Kove's talented clinicians hold degrees ranging from Master's to PhD, achieve licences from esteemed bodies like the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and pursue ongoing autism training. Feel free to ask about qualifications.

The 5 Stages of an autism assessment.

The 5 Stage Assessment Process at Kove From initial contact through to final reporting, private assessments are conducted meticulously. We guide and support families through five clear stages:

Stage 1: Intake Discussion and Paperwork

Following referral from a school or GP, or if you self-refer your child, you will have an intake discussion over the phone with one of our autism professionals at 0207 856 0464. We gather background on concerns about your child, including strengths and challenges at home and school. Our administrator then emails paperwork to sign and complete pre-assessment questionnaires.

Stage 2: Face-to-Face Clinical Evaluation

You accompany your child to our office for a session with a clinician lasting 2-3 hours. Through interactive games, questionnaires, and interviews, our psychologist gathers insights on your child's development and possible presence of autistic traits. Parents share perspectives in a separate meeting. Everything remains confidential and we obtain your consent before corresponding with schools.

Stage 3: Writing the Report

Our clinician thoughtfully analyses all available information about your child before writing a comprehensive report over the next two weeks. This report details the assessment findings, provides a diagnostic outcome if criteria is met, and gives recommendations on educational adjustments, communication approaches, anxiety coping strategies, or other relevant supports according to your child's profile.

Stage 4: Feedback Session

We schedule a feedback appointment for you to return to the office and discuss the detailed report with your clinician. You are welcome to ask any questions about the conclusions, recommendations, or next steps during this collaborative session. We want both you and your child to feel understood, heard and supported.

Stage 5: Ongoing Support

The assessment process does not end with the report delivery. We offer parents regular check-ins over the phone and can have follow up appointments with your child if beneficial. Many parents also take advantage of our wider psychology services like counselling or parenting programmes. We continue tailoring guidance as your child develops.

What Methods and Assessments Might Be Used?

Gaining an accurate and multidimensional view of each referred child guides our assessment process. Some helpful methods include:Developmental History - Discussing milestones met/delayed
Interview formats - Open questions about background, behaviours, concerns
Standardised Assessments - Such as ADOS-2, ADI-R, CARS2, SCQ
Dynamic Assessments - Through interactive tasks and games
Observation - In session and possibly at school
Feedback - From parents, teachers, other professionals

How Can I Prepare My Child for the Assessment?

To maximise your child's comfort and accuracy of the evaluation, consider these tips:Read social stories about assessments in advance

• Familiarise them with the location through photos or visiting
• Practice similar games and activities used in interview formats
• Highlight your child's strengths to put them at ease
• Ensure they get good rest and nutrition around the appointment
• Allow comfort items - fidgets, headphones if needed
• Remain patient on the day and offer encouragement

How Much Does a Private Assessment Cost?

Rates vary by location and experience level of the autism professional. With Kove prices start at £2000 for a thorough assessment, report and recommendations.

What If My Child Receives an Autism Diagnosis?

Understanding your child's challenges through an accurate assessment opens doors to specialised support. An autism diagnosis makes your child eligible for individual education plans, classroom accommodations, communication aids, mental health services and disability benefits. We point families toward helpful local and national autism resources at every step.

Why Select Kove Psychology for Your Child's Assessment?

With a talented team in the heart of London, Kove eases uncertainty around autism assessments for parents. Our compassionate experts offer not just exceptional evaluations using research-backed techniques, but ongoing family support after the diagnosis as well. We cap caseloads so your child receives our full attention.

To learn more about autism assessments or book an initial phone conversation, contact our friendly team at 0207 856 0464. We look forward to working together to help your child thrive.