About autism
Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference affecting how a person communicates, relates to others and experiences the world. Around 1 in 100 people are autistic. Many adults, particularly women, reach mid-life before recognising that autism explains a lifetime of feeling "different".
A diagnosis is not a label. It is a framework for understanding yourself or your child, accessing the right support, and making reasonable adjustments at school or work.
Signs we look for
- Difficulty reading social cues and unwritten rules
- Finding small talk exhausting or pointless
- Intense, focused interests
- Preference for routine and difficulty with change
- Sensory sensitivities (sound, light, texture, taste)
- Masking or "camouflaging" in social situations
- Taking language literally
- Shutdowns, meltdowns or burnout after social demands
The assessment
In line with NICE guidance (CG128 and CG142) our assessments are multidisciplinary, typically involving a consultant psychiatrist and a speech and language therapist or clinical psychologist trained in the gold-standard tools:
- Pre-assessment questionnaires such as AQ-10, RAADS-R and CAT-Q (adults) or SCQ and SRS-2 (children).
- ADI-R: a detailed developmental interview with a parent or someone who knew you in early childhood, where available.
- ADOS-2: a structured, activity-based observation session with you or your child.
- Clinical interview covering mental health, ADHD and other co-occurring conditions.
- Multidisciplinary discussion and feedback session to explain the outcome.
After diagnosis
You receive a comprehensive report within ten working days, including recommendations for reasonable adjustments, therapy and support. We offer post-diagnostic sessions to help you make sense of the diagnosis and, for children, a report written to support school and EHCP processes.
Autism and ADHD together
Around half of autistic people also meet criteria for ADHD. If both are suspected we can carry out a combined assessment, saving time and cost. Ask our team about the combined pathway.