Child Autism Assessments Lichfield, Staffordshire 

You may wish to consider an autism assessment if your child experiences persistent difficulties with social communication, friendships, emotional regulation, sensory processing, flexibility or coping with change.

Every autistic child is different, but families often contact us because their child
experiences:

• Difficulties with friendships or social communication
• Feeling different from peers
• Anxiety or emotional overwhelm
• Sensory sensitivities
• Rigid routines or intense interests
• Challenges understanding social situations
• School avoidance or school-related distress
• Emotional exhaustion from masking
• Difficulties managing change or uncertainty

We offer you a face-to-face initial appointment included in the cost of the assessment to help us decide if an Autism assessment is right for your child or if another assessment or therapy might be more beneficial.

The total cost of our autism assessment is £2000 which includes an initial face-to-face consultation to explore your concerns and determine whether an autism assessment is the most appropriate pathway for your child, followed by all assessment appointments, a comprehensive report and a detailed feedback session.

To help spread the cost, we offer payment in two instalments once it has been agreed that a full autism assessment is appropriate.

This is a very common concern, and one that we take seriously. Many autistic children and young people, particularly girls and those who have developed strong coping strategies, work incredibly hard to mask or camouflage their difficulties in social situations. As a result, they may appear to be coping well on the surface, even when they are experiencing significant anxiety, exhaustion or distress.

Our assessment process is designed to look beyond what we see during a single appointment. We gather information from multiple sources, including developmental history, parent observations, questionnaires and clinical interviews, to build a comprehensive understanding of your child’s experiences across different settings and over time.

We are experienced in recognising more subtle presentations of autism, including masking, and understand that some children may find it difficult to express their thoughts and feelings openly during an assessment.

If your child is anxious, reluctant to engage, or does not speak very much during the assessment, this in itself can provide important information. We will work at your child’s pace and use our clinical expertise to ensure that their individual communication style and needs are understood and taken into account.

Our goal is not simply to observe your child in one moment, but to understand the bigger picture of who they are, their strengths, the challenges they face, and how these impact their daily life.

Every child and family is different, but many parents tell us that receiving a diagnosis helps them better understand their child’s experiences, strengths and needs. For some children, a diagnosis can provide an explanation for challenges they may have faced for many years and help them feel more understood and accepted.

Many families describe diagnosis not as receiving a label, but as gaining a framework for understanding their child with greater compassion, confidence and acceptance.

A diagnosis can also help families, schools and other professionals make appropriate adjustments and access support where needed. This may include educational accommodations, support plans, reasonable adjustments, access to services, or a greater understanding of how to support your child’s wellbeing and development.

However, a diagnosis does not change who your child is. Rather than focusing on labels, we view assessment as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of your child’s unique profile, including their strengths, differences and support needs.

Whether or not a diagnosis is given, our aim is to provide meaningful recommendations that help your child thrive at home, in education and in their wider lives. During the feedback session, we will discuss the findings in detail and help you understand the next steps that may be helpful for your child and family.

Signs may include differences in social interaction, communication, play, sensory processing, routines, interests and emotional regulation. Every autistic child is unique, and presentations vary significantly.

Yes. Autism in girls is frequently overlooked because girls may present differently and are often more likely to mask their difficulties.

Yes, we offer combined assessments. ADHD and autism frequently occur together, and many children and young people experience characteristics of both. Difficulties with attention, impulsivity and emotional regulation can sometimes overlap with differences in social communication, sensory processing and flexibility, making it challenging to understand a child’s needs without a comprehensive assessment.

We understand that some parents worry that their child’s school may not know them well enough to provide useful information, particularly if their child masks their difficulties, appears to cope well in school, or has only recently changed schools. Some families may also feel hesitant about involving school at all.

While information from school can be helpful in understanding how your child presents in different environments, it is only one part of a comprehensive assessment. We recognise that many children, especially girls and those who mask their difficulties, may present very differently at school compared to home.

Our assessments draw upon a range of information, including your child’s developmental history, parent observations, direct assessment, questionnaires and clinical interviews. We carefully consider all sources of information and do not rely solely on school reports when reaching our conclusions.

If you have concerns about involving your child’s school, we encourage you to discuss this with us during your initial consultation. We will work with you to understand your circumstances and determine the most appropriate approach for your child.

Yes. We regularly assess children and young people who are not currently attending school, including those who are home educated, awaiting a school placement, or experiencing difficulties attending school due to anxiety, emotional wellbeing or other needs.

While information from school can sometimes provide a helpful perspective, it is not essential for an autism assessment. Our assessment process considers information from a variety of sources, including developmental history, parent observations, questionnaires, clinical interviews and direct assessment with your child.

We understand that some children may have been out of education for a significant period of time, and others may have experienced challenges such as school-related anxiety, school avoidance or unmet needs. Our clinicians take the time to understand your child’s unique experiences and circumstances to ensure that the assessment provides a comprehensive picture of their strengths and difficulties.

If your child is not currently attending school, we can discuss the information available and determine the most appropriate assessment pathway during your initial consultation.

At Cura Psychology we have a clear step by step approach to assessment: Our assessment process follows NICE guidance and uses information from multiple sources to ensure a thorough understanding of your child’s strengths and needs.

Step 1 – Initial Consultation and Screening
We begin by gathering information about your concerns and your child’s developmental history. Screening questionnaires help determine whether a full autism assessment is appropriate.

Step 2 – Comprehensive Developmental Assessment
A clinician meets with parents to explore developmental history in detail, including early childhood development, communication, social interaction and behaviour patterns.

Step 3 – Face-to-Face ADOS-2 Assessment
Your child attends our clinic in Lichfield for an ADOS-2 assessment. This internationally recognised assessment helps us understand communication, interaction and social understanding.

Step 4 – School and Professional Information
Where appropriate, we gather information from school and other professionals involved in your child’s care. We may visit your child at school or nursery to observe them in the classroom.

Step 5 – Multidisciplinary Clinical Review
Our multidisciplinary team reviews all available information before reaching a diagnostic conclusion.

Step 6 – Feedback and Recommendations
We provide a detailed report and feedback session explaining the findings, recommendations and next steps.

Many parents tell us that the assessment is only the beginning of their journey.

Because Cura Psychology is a specialist psychology service, we can help families access further support where needed, including:

• Parent support and guidance
• Child therapy
• Play therapy
• Behavioural support
• Anxiety support
• Trauma-informed interventions
• ADHD assessment and support

Our goal is not simply to provide a diagnosis, but to help children and families move forward with confidence and understanding.

Following diagnosis, we offer you a feedback meeting to discuss our findings. Families often benefit from guidance regarding school support, understanding neurodiversity, emotional wellbeing and practical strategies. Our team can provide ongoing support tailored to your child’s needs.