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Autism Assessments
Autism Assessment
Getting help for your child isn’t always straightforward. Caudwell Children understands how difficult getting an autism diagnosis is, it’s a lengthy process and often feels like a continuous battle to get vital support.
We can help you and your family on this journey, from getting an initial referral to attending an Autism Assessment. Our Autism Assessments are completed by our in-house multi-disciplinary Clinical Team at the Caudwell International Children’s Centre which was purpose-built with autism in mind. The centre is a calm and safe space for children, with a mixture of quiet zones, specialist facilities, sensory rooms and garden, which allows our team to develop a complete profile for each child during their assessment.
All Autism Assessment Referral Applications must be completed by a Health, Education, Social Care Professional, or GP. Referrers, please ensure you have the following information before making a referral: Referral Application Information Required
What our Autism Service offers
- Self-funded or Charity-funded Autism Assessments.
- Two-day assessments completed by our in-house multi-disciplinary clinical team.
- 12 months of post-diagnostic support.
- Assessments and support for any child aged 4-11 regardless of where they live in the UK or internationally.
- Up to two workshops regardless of charity funding or self-funding.
Am I eligible for an Autism Assessment?
- Child must be aged 4-11.
- Must be referred by a professional.
- Must not have had a previous ASD assessment.
Charity-funded Autism Assessment
Make a Referral
Commissioned Services
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Autism Assessment Steps
How to get a Referral
Step 1: Make a note of your child’s behaviours and characteristics.
Step 2: Speak to an education, health or social care professional who knows your child.
Step 3: Ask a Health, Education, Social Care Professional or GP to refer your child via the forms on our website.
Download our referral guide for step-by-step guidance on how to get referred for an Autism Assessment with Caudwell Children.
Application Process
- Step 1: Your application will be checked to see if you meet the Autism Assessment criteria.
- Step 2: If charity funding eligibility has been approved or you are self-funding you will need to make a payment before an assessment can be booked.
- Step 3: Our Family Support Team will send out paperwork packs to you and your child’s school. If you require support when filling in the paperwork, please contact our Family Support Team on 0345 300 1348 or email
- Step 4: You will be asked to complete a Risk Support Plan; this is so we know what support you and your child will need at the centre.
- Step 5: You will be contacted to book your child’s two-day Autism Assessment.
The paperwork includes:
- A child profile so we can get a full picture of your child’s behaviour and characteristics.
- A speech and language questionnaire.
- Education profile (school only).
Autism Assessment
- Step 1: Day One will be a virtual ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised) which is an interview based around your child’s development.
- Step 2: On Day Two the assessment will take place at the Caudwell International Children’s Centre.
- Step 3: You will be contacted to book a feedback appointment after your child’s Day Two assessment within four weeks. During the feedback meeting you will receive the outcome of the assessment.
What happens after the autism assessment?
- Step 1: You will receive 12-months of post-diagnostic support from our Family Support Team regardless of whether your child receives an autism diagnosis or not.
- Step 2: Families are entitled to two workshop credits if their child has been diagnosed with autism regardless of whether they applied for charity funding or have self-funded the assessment. The first credit will be used on the Next Steps workshop and the second credit can be used on a workshop of your choice. Families who didn’t receive a diagnosis are still entitled to one credit to use on any workshops.
Need support with your application?
If you need support with your application or have any questions, please contact our Applications Team, call 0345 300 1348 or email applications@caudwellchildren.com Alternatively, please see our FAQs below.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
We are proud to be accredited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), as well as deliver evidence-based practice in accordance with NICE guidelines and robust clinical governance.
Autism Assessments FAQs
To track the progress of your application please contact our Family Support team on 0345 300 1348 or family.support@caudwellchildren.com
We offer charity-funded (means-tested) autism assessments for eligible children and self-funded assessments for those who don’t meet the eligibility.
Children must be referred by a health, social care or education professional using the form on our website.
Once the referral has been clinically accepted, our applications team will get in contact with you to complete the financial application process.
Day one of the assessment will be completed by telephone or video conferencing, but the family must attend the centre in Keele, Newcastle-under-Lyme for their day two appointment.
At the moment we don’t assess for anything else other than autism. If during the child’s autism assessment we observe indicators that maybe suggestive of other diagnosis such as ADHD, we would recommend that parents/guardians discuss this further with their GP and or Paediatrician.
Our process involves collecting Financial information, and information from home and school, and once all this has been returned, we conduct a risk assessment. Following approval after the risk assessment, you will be contacted for an assessment appointment.
We do not assess children younger than 4 years old or older than 11 years old. You should contact GP for advice.
Any Health, Social Care or Education Professional or GP that knows your child and has observed potential autism indicators that would benefit from an autism assessment can refer the child. We do not accept self/parental referrals. Your health, social care or educational professional will need to complete the make a referral form. You may also find our referral guide helpful.
Our centre is based in Keele, Newcastle-under-Lyme. The full address is: Innovation Way, Caudwell International Children’s Centre Keele Science and Innovation Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 5NT. Day one of our assessment is completed via telephone or video conferencing software such as Zoom. Day two of the assessment is completed at Caudwell International Children’s Centre, on Keele Innovation and Science Park, located on Keele University in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
We ask about the developmental history of the child.
Yes, as long as the referral is completed before the child’s 12th birthday.
Yes. The first day of assessment is completed by telephone or video conferencing software such as Zoom. Day two of the assessment requires the family to attend Caudwell International Children’s Centre on Keele Innovation and Science Park, located on Keele University in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Caudwell International Children’s Centre is the UK’s first purpose-built centre dedicated to autism. We are able to complete the assessment in two days as we have everything we need in one place, including our own in-house multi-disciplinary clinical team.
No, regardless of the outcome of any previous assessment, we do not offer a 2nd opinion or repeat assessment for any child that has already undertaken an Autism Assessment
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Autism Sensory Packs
