Autism assessment

Understanding autism

Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain develops and how a person experiences the world. It is not an illness. You may also hear it called autism spectrum disorder or ASD. Everyone’s experience is different: some people need little support, while others need substantial help with daily life.

Autistic people have strengths as well as difficulties and can have friendships, relationships and employment. Autism can occur at any level of intelligence, and some autistic people also have a learning disability. It is not caused by bad parenting or vaccines.

Signs you may recognise

Autism may affect communication, social situations, routines and sensory experiences. Examples include:

·         Finding it difficult to interpret other people’s feelings, facial expressions or unwritten social rules, or taking language literally.

·         Finding social situations tiring or stressful, or finding it difficult to form or maintain relationships.

·         Preferring familiar routines and finding unexpected changes difficult.

·         Having particularly focused interests or repeated movements or behaviours.

·         Being especially sensitive to sounds, light, smells, textures or touch.

Some people learn to hide or “mask” these differences to fit in. This can make autism less obvious, including in women, and may be exhausting. Signs may only be recognised in adulthood, although they relate to development from childhood. These experiences do not, on their own, confirm autism.

Requesting an adult assessment

Adults aged 18 and over should complete the autism questions in our online consultation. Your answers help us consider whether a specialist assessment is appropriate; screening questions cannot diagnose autism.

Please give examples of both social communication and interaction, and routines, repeated behaviours, focused interests or sensory differences. Explain how these affect your daily life, relationships, work or education, and include childhood experiences where possible. If you cannot remember or obtain information about childhood, please tell us.

We will review your information and contact you if we need further details. Where appropriate, we can refer you to the local NHS-funded adult autism service. If you cannot use the online consultation or need help completing it, please contact the practice.

Assessment for children and young people

If you are concerned that your child may be autistic, please tell us through the online consultation. Answer the questions relevant to your child’s age and describe your concerns in your own words. Adult screening questions are not suitable for all children; you do not need to complete a separate AQ10 form.

Signs in children

Alongside the signs described earlier, children may show differences in language development, responding to their name, using gestures, or joining in play. They may repeat words or movements, have strong interests, find change difficult, or react strongly to sounds, textures or touch. Older children may find friendships, school routines or social situations challenging. Not every autistic child shows all of these signs.

Some children mask their difficulties, particularly at school. Please tell us about differences between home and school, and include your child’s own views where possible.

Information to include

·         Your child’s age, early development and when you first noticed differences.

·         Examples of communication, interaction, play, routines, interests and sensory needs.

·         How these affect daily life at home, nursery or school, including any support already in place.

·         Relevant reports from school, nursery, a health visitor or other professionals, if available.

We will review the information and advise on the appropriate local children’s pathway. This may involve the Child Development Centre or Livewell Southwest services, depending on your child’s age and needs. The adult Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service is a separate service. Further information from nursery, school or other professionals may be needed before a referral can be considered.

Support before diagnosis

Please speak with your child’s health visitor, nursery or school special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) about support now. Your child does not need to wait for a diagnosis for their needs to be discussed. Contact us about concerns such as anxiety, sleep or eating difficulties. Plymouth’s Children, Young People and Families Neurodiversity Wellbeing Team offers support before and after diagnosis, subject to its service criteria.

Tell us if you need help using the online consultation, an interpreter, or information in another format.

Assessment options and private care

For adults, our recommended local route is the Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service run by Livewell Southwest, which provides specialist assessment and advice. A specialist assessment considers your developmental history, current experiences and other possible explanations for your difficulties. It may include information from someone who knows you well, with your agreement.

A privately paid assessment is different from an NHS-funded assessment through Right to Choose. Right to Choose may allow an eligible patient in England to choose a qualifying provider for an NHS-funded assessment, where a referral is clinically appropriate. Please discuss this with us if you wish to explore it.

Pathfields does not support privately funded autism assessment arrangements or take on prescribing or monitoring requested as part of private specialist care. If you arrange a private assessment for yourself or your child, you will be responsible for its costs and any private follow-up. Please check what the provider offers, including support after assessment and any ongoing charges. We will continue to provide your usual NHS GP care.

There is no medication that treats autism itself. Any medication for a separate condition needs its own clinical assessment and appropriate follow-up. An assessment referral does not mean the practice has agreed to take over specialist prescribing or monitoring.

Support while you are waiting

You do not need to wait for an autism assessment to seek help with anxiety, low mood or other health concerns. ADHD, dyslexia, epilepsy and mental health conditions can occur alongside autism and may need separate support or treatment.

Please contact us if you are struggling. We can discuss your needs and help you find suitable support. You can also ask about adjustments to communication or appointments, and explore support at work or in education. Tell us what would make accessing care easier for you.

Our practice website provides information about mental health support. If you do not use the internet, please ask us for a printed copy.

Further information

Neurodivergence  ADHD and Autism (ASD) Support and Wellbeing Pack

NHS information about autism
www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/

Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service
www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/plymouth-autism-spectrum-service

Pathfields Medical Group
pathfields.nhs.uk

Children’s local assessment pathways
myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/children-and-young-people/neurodiversity/getting-more-help-1/

Livewell Southwest children’s neurodiversity support
www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/children-young-people-and-families-neurodiversity-wellbeing-team