Getting an autism assessment and diagnosis

Assessment and diagnosis

If you think you or your child have signs of autism, or you are worried about your child’s development, talk to someone about it.

Firstly, you should speak to:

• your GP
• your health visitor
• any other health professional you or your child see
• special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) staff at your child's school

Ask them about referring you or your child for an autism assessment.

An assessment is done by autism specialists within your local Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) area.

• Belfast HSCT – child and adolescent autism service
• Belfast HSCT – adult autism assessment and diagnostic service
• Northern HSCT – autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) services
• South Eastern HSCT – neurodevelopmental service
• Southern HSCT – autism services
• Western HSCT – autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – adult’s service
• Western HSCT – children and young people’s autism service

An autism assessment can help you understand you or your child better and give you access to support.

For benefits of receiving an autism assessment, visit:

• Deciding whether to seek an autism assessment

What to expect during an assessment

The specialist team will ask for information about you or your child, including early development history, family and medical history, as well as challenges your or your child experience in everyday life that may match with the core characteristics of autism.

They may also seek further information from health and education professionals involved with your or your child.

There are  a number of stages in an autism assessment which will be discussed with the person and their family (if appropriate) and may take place over a period of weeks or months:

• gather information about early development history
• observation of you or your child
• practitioners discuss their observations
• a clinical judgement is made

Further information is available at:

• What happens during an autism assessment

Waiting times for an assessment

Waiting times can vary between different health trusts and for different age groups. 

Contact your health trust or GP for specific information about waiting times in your area.

Private autism assessments

There are several independent providers of autism assessment across Northern Ireland.

The cost of any private assessment can vary, so it’s a good idea to ask what costs are involved and what the cost covers.

It is also important to check if your Health Trust has previously accepted the provider’s diagnostic reports and whether there is any follow-up early support offered.

For further advice contact:

• Autism NI
• National Autistic Society NI