Child & Teen Autism Assessments

Early, accurate autism assessments give children and teenagers the best chance to thrive at home, in school, and in social settings.

Autism Assessments – Please note that we are currently at capacity and are not accepting new enquires at present. Please check back soon. Thank you.

Discover Our Gold Standard Autism Assessments for Children and Teenagers in East Anglia.

At our Colchester diagnostic centre, we provide gold standard autism assessments for children and teenagers, using recognised diagnostic tools in line with NICE guidance.

Our expert team takes a careful and thorough approach, ensuring each assessment reflects your child’s individual needs and circumstances.

What to Expect:

Pre-assessment Screening, Registration and clinical Consultation – We consider developmental, medical, educational, and family history to build a full picture of circumstances.


Comprehensive Developmental History Interview (using the ADI-R): a detailed conversation with parents or carers, and where appropriate, the child or teenager. This helps us explore the key characteristics of autism—such as differences in communication, social interaction, or behavioural patterns —and how these are experienced in everyday life at home, in education, and in social settings.


A structured observation: this will be with our clinicians in our diagnostic suite in Colchester, using the standardised autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS-2), looking at your child’s social and communication presentation, and any repetitive or restricted behaviours.


Ruling Out Other Explanations: We carefully assess whether other factors—such as anxiety, depression, or other conditions—may overlap with autistic traits, ensuring the diagnosis is accurate and meaningful.

What makes our child autism assessments different?

Our autism assessments are fully compliant with NICE guidelines. We follow the highest standards set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, ensuring a detailed, multidisciplinary process using recognised diagnostic tools.

We gather information from home, school, and other settings, involving families throughout the process to provide a complete understanding of each child’s strengths and the challenges they may face with autism.

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The support you and your child can expect

We know that deciding where to go for an autism assessment is an important step. Here’s why so many families choose us:

  • Child-centred approach: We adapt each assessment to reflect your child’s needs, recognising that no two experiences are alike.
  • Specialist team: Our professionals combine clinical expertise with lived experience of autism, ensuring compassion and understanding throughout.
  • Ongoing support: From your first enquiry through to life after diagnosis, we are here to guide you at every stage.
  • Connections that matter: We introduce you to groups, resources, and networks that provide encouragement and understanding for both you and your child.

Many families who come to Autism Anglia for a child or teen assessment move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and the supportive community they deserve.

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Why Choose Autism Anglia?

Empathy and Understanding: At Autism Anglia, we believe in the power of empathy. Our team includes professionals with lived experience of Autism, ensuring that every interaction is filled with genuine understanding and compassion. We know what you’re going through, and we’re here to help.

Personalised Assessments: Every child and teen is unique, and so is their Autism journey. We tailor our assessments to meet the specific needs of your child, ensuring a thorough and accurate diagnosis. Our goal is to provide you with a clear understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges.

Comprehensive Support: From the moment you reach out to us, we’re with you every step of the way. Our support doesn’t end with the assessment. We offer guidance and resources to help your child thrive at home, in school, and in their social life.

Community Connection: We know the importance of community. That’s why we’ll recommend local support networks and resources to help you feel connected to a network of families who understand and share your experiences. You’re not alone on this journey.

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FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions families ask us about autism assessments for children and teenagers.

Why is an early autism diagnosis important for children and teenagers?

An early diagnosis helps families, schools, and professionals put the right strategies in place, giving your child the best opportunity to thrive in education, at home, and in social situations.

Our assessments include interviews with parents or carers, observation of your child, and a review of developmental, medical, and educational history. We use gold standard diagnostic tools, fully compliant with NICE guidance.

We believe families know their children best. Parents and carers are actively involved at each stage, ensuring that the assessment reflects your child’s day-to-day experiences as well as clinical observations.

The process is thorough and typically takes several hours, sometimes across more than one session. This allows us to build a complete picture of your child’s strengths and challenges.

Following the assessment, you will receive a detailed report with recommendations for support at home, in school, and in the wider community. We also provide guidance and signposting to services and networks.

If autism is not the right explanation, our report will outline other considerations and next steps. Either way, you will gain valuable insights to help you support your child more effectively.

If you have further questions about autism assessments for children or teenagers, our team is here to help. Please get in touch and we’ll be happy to guide you.

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