Paediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Service
Clinic Assessment - Information Leaflet
Your child has been referred to this Service due to concerns that he/she may be experiencing the
kinds of difficulties that are often associated with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The clinic assessment
Your child/young person has been invited to attend an ASD assessment clinic and will be assessed
by at least two members of the team.
This clinic assessment takes place in 3 stages:
1. Assessment of the child (45-60 mins)
2. Professional discussion (20-30 mins)
3. Feedback to parents/carers (20-30 mins)
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is the most commonly used assessment tool in
our clinics and allows us to observe your child’s/young person’s strengths and weaknesses in the
areas of social communication, social interaction and imagination/flexibility of thought- which are core
to a diagnosis of ASD.
The ADOS assessment consists of a range of tasks and activities that will be undertaken with your
child. Many of the activities appear informal but are standardised within this assessment tool and
give the team the best opportunity to observe specific skills and/or difficulties. We also intend that
this assessment process is a positive experience for your child.
The assessment tool recommends that children of a certain age and level of development are
assessed without parents/carers in the same room. If this is required this will be discussed with you
at the appointment.
Following the assessment, the members of the team observing your child will take some time out to
discuss their observations and all other available information on your child/young person.
A feedback session will take place where members of the team will discuss the findings of the
assessment and its outcome. It may be beneficial to bring something for your child/young person to
help pass the time after the assessment is complete.
The diagnostic outcome falls into one of three areas which are:
• a diagnosis of ASD;
• no diagnosis ;
• need to gather further information. (Further assessment may therefore be indicated and this
will be agreed with you.)
The outcome of the assessment will be documented in a report and you will receive a copy of
this. We recommend that the report is shared with those who work most closely with your child and
we will seek your permission to do so.
Any other issues that arise during the diagnostic assessment process can be discussed with you
during the assessment.
Clinic Assessment – Information Leaflet