Preparing for an autism assessment

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Autism assessments

The Cheyne Child Development Service offers autism assessments for children and young people aged 2 to 18 years who meet our criteria and have a GP in one of the following boroughs/postcodes:

  • Hammersmith & Fulham: SW6, W6, W12, W14, NW10 (partial)
  • Kensington & Chelsea: SW6, W6, W12, W14, NW10 (partial)
  • Westminster: SW1

Your child or young person may have been referred by their nursery, school, GP, or health visitor. We cannot accept referrals directly from parents or carers.

An assessment can help you and your child or young person understand some of the challenges they are facing, and identify their strengths.

At Cheyne, autism assessments focus on a whole-person approach (also known as a holistic approach). This means we consider all aspects of your child or young person’s needs and support.

Waiting times

We know waiting times are long and this can be a difficult time for families. Over the last five years, referrals to our service have increased. We understand it can be hard waiting for answers.

Over the last two years, waiting times at the Cheyne Child Development Service have reduced. While they are still longer than we would like, our waiting times are now below the national average.

How you can help us keep waiting times down

We ask families to help us manage the waiting list by:

  • Letting us know as soon as possible if you move out of the area or no longer need an assessment
  • Letting us know as soon as possible if you cannot attend an appointment so we can rearrange it
  • Attending appointments, or contacting us in advance if you cannot attend (if you do not attend without telling us, your child may be discharged and will need a new referral)
  • Completing and returning any questionnaires as soon as possible so we have the information needed for your appointment
  • Keeping your contact details (phone number, address, email address) up to date
  • Responding if we contact you to arrange an appointment (if we cannot reach you, your child may be discharged and will need a new referral)
  • Letting us know if circumstances change (for example child protection concerns, a change of school, or if your child is no longer attending school)

If your child needs support with their mental health while waiting, please speak to your GP or your local CAMHS service for advice.

Support while waiting for an assessment

We know the importance of supporting your child’s needs as early as possible. Your child should be able to get support at school and at home even if they have not yet had an assessment.

Support should be based on what your child needs help with in daily life, rather than on a diagnosis. We understand a diagnosis can still be important for families for other reasons.

Our “support whilst waiting” resources may help you feel more confident in understanding and supporting your child:

Risk and support

Drawing by Anjali

The Cheyne Child Development Service is not an emergency service. We do not manage or monitor risk issues for children and young people on our autism assessment waiting lists.

However, it is important that we are told about any changes in risk or any safeguarding concerns for children and young people waiting for an assessment. We will review safeguarding concerns and may consider prioritising assessments or referring on to more appropriate services. We can also support parents and carers to access the right help.

Please use the contact details below if you have concerns about your child’s safety or wellbeing:

  • If you have concerns while your child is on our waiting list, contact your GP in the first instance.
  • If you have escalating concerns about your child’s mental health or behaviour, or concerns about risk, contact:
    • The Cheyne Autism Pathway Co-ordinator on 020 3315 6571
    • If your child is open to a local CAMHS team, contact them and ask to speak to the duty and liaison team

For urgent concerns

If you are concerned about immediate risk to your child or someone else, contact:

  • CNWL Single Point of Access (SPA): 0800 023 4560 – a 24-hour crisis line providing urgent mental health support for families in Brent, Hillingdon, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster
  • West London NHS Trust Crisis Line: 0800 328 4444 – a 24-hour crisis line for children and young people in Ealing, Hounslow, and Hammersmith & Fulham
  • For imminent risk, call 999 or attend your local Accident & Emergency (A&E) department

Autism (ASD) pathways

Our service is divided into two assessment pathways depending on your child’s age when they are accepted for an assessment. Your letter will confirm which pathway your child is on.

Why do I need to give consent?

We ask for consent to make sure you understand and are happy with why we are assessing your child and what will happen during and after the assessment.

We also ask for consent to collect and share information with other agencies (for example your child’s nursery or school). This helps us understand your child’s strengths and needs across different settings.

If you are unsure about giving consent, please contact us to discuss this. It may affect whether the assessment can go ahead.

Cheyne pre-school ASD Coordinator

Cheyne school-age ASD Co-ordinator

Pre-school autism (ASD) pathway

Picture of the Cheyne Child Development Service by Hannah, age 6

In this section

What is the pre-school autism (ASD) pathway?

The pre-school ASD pathway involves assessment, diagnosis, support and intervention for children referred to the Cheyne Child Development Service who present with social communication difficulties and are under 4 years 6 months old at the time of referral.

Through the assessment, we aim to understand your child’s strengths, differences and needs across three areas: social interaction, social communication and social imagination. The assessment will help determine whether an autism (ASD) diagnosis is useful in explaining your child’s profile.

Please watch this video for more information:

What is autism (ASD)?

Autism (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. This means autistic people think and work differently because their brains develop in a different way. Autism can affect how people experience and interact with the world.

People with autism can have differences in social interaction, social communication and social imagination. For more information and resources, visit our autism page.

This video may also be helpful:

What happens when I am accepted onto the pre-school ASD pathway?

  • We will send you a letter confirming we have accepted the referral onto our autism pathway.
  • We will ask for your consent to contact your child’s nursery or school directly and request them to complete questionnaires.
  • Please check we have the correct phone number, email address, home address and GP details for you. If any of these change while you are waiting, please let us know.
  • If we contact you, please reply by phone or email. If we cannot reach you, your child may be discharged and a new referral will be required.
  • We will send you a leaflet explaining the pre-school ASD pathway, and information about support you can access while you are waiting.
  • If you change your mind or your child has an assessment elsewhere, please let us know so we can update our records.

What can I do whilst I am waiting for an assessment?

Your child should be able to get support at school and at home even if they have not had an assessment. Support should be based on what they need help with in daily life rather than on a diagnosis.

We hope the resources on our “support whilst waiting” page help you feel more confident in understanding and supporting your child:

What information will you need before an appointment?

Forms and questionnaires:

  • We will send forms and questionnaires to you and to your child’s nursery or school.
  • These ask about your child’s social communication, learning, behaviour and day-to-day functioning.
  • We will ask a member of staff who knows your child well to complete questionnaires.
  • It is important that questionnaires are returned before the assessment appointment.

Pre-assessment workshops

  • To support you while you are waiting, we will invite you to a pre-assessment workshop run by our Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).
  • Workshops run at different sites. We will tell you which site your workshop will be held at when we contact you.
  • If you cannot attend a group workshop, you may be offered an individual phone appointment if you contact the CNS team.
  • Workshops cover: reasons for referral, understanding autism, the assessment pathway and possible outcomes.
  • Additional advice may include:
    • Accessing speech and language therapy support
    • SEND Local Offer and family hub support
    • Parent and carer forums
    • Accessing nursery and school support and placements
  • Resources may include advice on:
    • Sleep
    • Feeding
    • Toilet training
  • Information about parenting courses that can support behaviour challenges
  • CNS team contact details for follow-up queries

How can I prepare for an appointment?

You do not need to prepare anything in particular. Some families find the following helpful:

  • Learn more about autism
    • Read about autism and write down any questions you would like to ask at the appointment
  • Get support started where possible
  • Arrange support for the day
    • Talk to your child about what to expect in a way that suits their age and understanding.
    • Consider bringing someone you trust to support you, take notes and help you remember what was discussed.
  • Gather key information
    • It can help to have your child’s red book (personal child health record) available.
    • Once your appointment is scheduled, we will send you the Cheyne pre-assessment questionnaire.
    • You may find it helpful to complete it in advance and bring it with you. You do not need to send it back to us.
    • Download the pre-assessment questionnaire

Booking an appointment

  • We will contact you when we are ready to book an appointment and confirm you can attend the appointment being offered.
  • Appointments are usually on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
  • Appointments may be at our Chelsea site or our Parkview site. Your appointment letter will confirm the site.
  • We will ask if you need an interpreter. Please let us know if this would be helpful.
  • Please do not bring other children, so you can focus on the child having the assessment.
  • We recommend bringing someone to support you, such as a partner, relative, or friend.
  • If you need any adjustments for the appointment, please tell us and we will do our best to help.
  • If you confirm you will attend but do not attend without letting us know, your child may be discharged and a new referral will be needed.
  • If your child is unwell on the day, please contact us as soon as possible so we can reschedule.

What to bring to an appointment

Please consider bringing:

  • Any questions or concerns you have
  • Toys or books to help your child while waiting
  • Snacks or drinks if your child is likely to get hungry
  • A completed Cheyne pre-assessment questionnaire (optional but may be helpful)

The autism assessment appointment

Face-to-face appointments give us the chance to meet your child or young person. You may be asked to attend more than one appointment. This is a normal part of the process and helps us gather enough information to make a careful assessment. The number of appointments can vary depending on your child’s needs.

This video explains more about these appointments:

Often, there is an initial appointment where we begin to get to know your child. Your child may take part in a play-based interaction with the assessor, using toys and activities. This helps us observe communication, interaction and play in a comfortable way.

This appointment may include:

  • Developmental history: a structured discussion with parents and carers about your child’s birth, development and medical history, with a focus on communication and social interaction
  • Physical examination and developmental assessment
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS): a structured play and activity-based assessment completed with your child

Who is involved in assessing my child on the pre-school autism (ASD) assessment pathway?

The assessment is usually completed by a multidisciplinary team which may include:

  • Community paediatrician: a paediatrician with a special interest in child development
  • Speech and language therapist: an experienced clinician specialising in social communication assessment

Are any other agencies involved?

  • We may contact your child’s nursery or school and other professionals involved in their care.
  • This helps us understand your child’s strengths and needs across different settings.

Outcome of the assessment

After the assessment, we will arrange an appointment to discuss the findings. Sometimes this is on the same day, and sometimes it is on a different day. We will talk through your child’s strengths, differences and needs. You are welcome to bring a family member or friend if that would be helpful.

If your child or young person does not meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis, we will explain why and discuss their individual profile and support needs.

If your child or young person meets the criteria for an autism diagnosis, we will explain the diagnosis and discuss what support is available.

Whatever the outcome, we will provide information and resources to help you access ongoing support. It is also important to celebrate your child or young person for who they are and to recognise their strengths.

Who should I contact if I need further information?

The ASD Pathway Coordinator is the main point of contact for queries about appointment dates, cancellations and general pathway questions.

Cheyne pre-school ASD Coordinator

What will happen after the assessment?

This video explains what happens after the assessment:

After your appointment, the following will happen:

  • At the end of the appointment, you will be given a short report summarising the assessment findings and the action plan.
  • A more detailed report will be sent and shared with you, the referrer and your GP. We will agree with you whether we should also share the report with your child’s school or nursery.
  • We will refer your child to other services if needed.
  • If your child receives an autism diagnosis, you will be invited to our post-diagnosis support groups and offered a post-diagnosis appointment.
  • For more information, see our autism and receiving a diagnosis page.

School-age autism (ASD) pathway

Picture of Cheyne Child Development Service by Nela, age 5
Picture of Cheyne Child Development Service by Nela, age 5

In this section

What is the school-age autism (ASD) pathway?

The school-age ASD pathway involves assessment, diagnosis, support and intervention for children referred to the Cheyne Child Development Service who present with social communication differences and are aged over 4 years and 6 months at the time of referral.

By completing the assessment, we aim to understand your child’s strengths, differences and needs across three areas: social interaction, social communication and social imagination. The assessment will help determine whether an autism (ASD) diagnosis is useful in explaining your child’s pattern of strengths and difficulties.

What is autism (ASD)?

Autism (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. This means that autistic people think and process information differently because their brains develop in a different way. Autism can influence how people experience and interact with the world.

Autistic people may have differences in social interaction, social communication and social imagination. For more information and resources, see our autism and receiving a diagnosis page.

What happens when I am accepted onto the school-age ASD pathway?

  • Once you are accepted onto the pathway, we will send a letter confirming that we have accepted the referral onto our autism pathway, pending receipt of a School Functioning Questionnaire.
  • We will ask for your consent to contact your child’s school directly and request that they complete questionnaires.
  • Please make sure we have your up-to-date contact details (phone number, email address and home address) and the correct GP details. If any of these change while you are waiting, please let us know.
  • If we contact you, please reply by phone or email. If we do not hear back from you, we may discharge your child from our service.
  • We will send you a leaflet explaining the school-age ASD pathway and information about support you can access whilst you are waiting.
  • If you change your mind or your child has been assessed elsewhere, please let us know so we can update our records.

What can I do whilst I am waiting for an assessment?

Your child should receive support at school and at home even if they have not yet had an assessment. Support should be based on what your child needs help with in daily life, rather than based on a diagnosis.

Our “support whilst waiting” page includes resources to help you understand and support your child:

What information will you need before an appointment?

Forms and questionnaires

  • We will send forms and questionnaires to you and to your child or young person’s school.
  • These ask about your child or young person’s strengths, behaviours and areas of difficulty.
  • We will ask a member of staff who knows your child well to complete questionnaires about social communication, learning and behaviour.
  • It is important that these are returned to us before the assessment appointment.

Pre-assessment telephone appointment

  • To support you whilst waiting, we may invite you to a pre-assessment telephone appointment offered by our highly specialist clinical psychology team.
  • The appointment will explore parental concerns, gather information about risk and offer advice related to the reasons for referral, understanding autism, information about the assessment pathway and possible outcomes (including an autism diagnosis).
  • We may also provide advice about:
    • SEND Local Offer and Family Hub support
    • Parent and carer forums
  • We may share resources such as:
    • Sleep advice
    • Parenting courses to support behaviour challenges
  • Where appropriate, we will signpost to support and make onward referrals to other services.

How can I prepare for an appointment?

You do not need to prepare anything in particular. Some families find the following helpful:

Learn more about autism

You may find it helpful to read about autism and write down any questions you would like to ask at the appointment. See our autism and receiving a diagnosis page.

Access support while you wait

Whether or not your child is diagnosed with autism, it can be helpful to access support for the areas you feel are priorities. For more information, see: Support for families waiting for a school-age autism assessment.

Arrange support for the day

  • Help prepare your child by talking to them about what to expect.
  • Some parents find the assessment process emotional or overwhelming. You may want to bring someone you trust to support you, help you take notes and make sure your questions are answered.

Gather information

  • You may find it helpful to have your child’s red book (personal child health record) available.
  • Once your appointment is scheduled, we will send you the Cheyne pre-assessment questionnaire.
  • You may find it helpful to complete it in advance and bring it with you. You do not need to send it to us beforehand.
  • Download the pre-assessment questionnaire

Booking an appointment

  • When we are ready to book the appointment, a member of our team will contact you to check you can attend the appointment offered.
  • Appointments are held Monday to Friday.
  • Appointments may be at our Chelsea site or our Parkview site. Your appointment letter will confirm the site.
  • When booking, we will ask whether you need an interpreter. Please let us know if this would help.
  • Please do not bring other children to the appointment, as we want you to focus on the child having the assessment.
  • We recommend bringing someone to support you, such as a partner, relative or friend.
  • If you need any adjustments for your appointment, please let us know and we will do our best to help.
  • If you confirm you will attend and then do not attend without letting us know, your child will be discharged from our service and a new referral will be needed.
  • If your child is unwell on the day, please call us as soon as possible and we can reschedule the appointment.

What to bring to an appointment

We recommend bringing:

  • Any questions or concerns you have
  • Toys or books to keep your child or young person entertained while waiting
  • Snacks or drinks, if needed
  • A completed copy of the Cheyne pre-assessment questionnaire (optional)

The autism assessment appointment

Here is a video explaining a little more about the assessment:

Face-to-face appointments are an opportunity for us to meet your child or young person. You may be asked to attend one appointment or more than one appointment, depending on what information we need to gather.

We aim to complete assessments and feedback appointments on the same day where possible. If more than one appointment is needed, this simply means we need to gather more information about your child or young person.

During the assessment, your child or young person will interact with the clinician. This allows close observation in a supportive, interactive environment. Autism is broad, and each child or young person’s journey is unique.

The assessment appointment may include:

  • Developmental history: a structured interview with parents or carers about your child’s birth, development and medical history, focusing on communication and social interaction
  • Physical examination
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS): a structured play- and conversation-based assessment completed with your child or young person

Who is involved in the assessment?

The assessment is usually completed by a multidisciplinary team, which may include:

  • Community paediatrician: a paediatrician with a special interest in child development
  • Clinical psychologist: a highly specialist clinical psychologist experienced in assessing social communication differences
  • Speech and language therapist: a specialist speech and language therapist experienced in assessing social communication differences

Are any other agencies involved?

  • We may contact your child’s school and any other professionals involved in your child’s care.
  • This helps us build a fuller picture of strengths and needs across different settings.

Assessment outcome

After the assessment, we will arrange an appointment to discuss the findings. Sometimes this is on the same day, and sometimes it is on a different day.

At the feedback appointment, we will discuss your child or young person’s strengths, differences and needs. If it would help, you are welcome to bring a family member or friend.

If your child or young person does not meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis, we will explain why and talk with you about their strengths and needs.

If your child or young person does meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis, we will explain the diagnosis and discuss the support available.

Whatever the outcome, we will provide information and resources to help you support your child or young person’s needs and identify appropriate ongoing support.

It is important to celebrate your child or young person for who they are. This assessment is only one part of their journey.

Who should I contact if I need further information?

The ASD Pathway Coordinator is the main point of contact for queries about appointment times, cancellations and general questions.

Cheyne school-age ASD coordinator

What will happen after the assessment?

  • A report summarising the assessment findings will be given to you on the day.
  • A more detailed report will be sent and shared with you, the referrer and your GP. We will agree with you whether we should also share the report with your child’s school.
  • We will refer your child to other services if needed.
  • If your child receives an autism diagnosis, you will be given information about post-diagnosis support groups and offered a post-diagnosis appointment.
  • For more information, see our autism and receiving a diagnosis page .