Do I need a referral?

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No. We are aware that waiting lists in the NHS are very long and we want to make the assessment process as easy as  possible. At Umbrella, we  believe that you know your child best, and if autism is something you are considering then we are here to listen and explore whether an assessment would be helpful.

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How long is your waiting list?

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We  do not currently have a waiting list. Most families explore an assessment because their child is struggling. We want to make sure that we respond in the most timely and helpful way. 

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Can I speak to you before committing to the assessment?

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Beginning the autism assessment journey can feel like a big decision. To support you with the decision making, we offer a free 15 minute phone call prior to beginning the assessment process.  We aim to find out more about your child and whether an assessment would be helpful for them. 

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How long does the assessment take?

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We aim to make the assessment process as flexible as possible- we can offer daytime, evening and weekend appointments to suit your schedule. Most assessments  typically consist of three appointments-  a developmental history appointment with parents/caregivers which takes around 90 minutes,  an ADOS-2 appointment with the child which takes around an hour, and a feedback appointment with parents/caregivers (and the child if they would like to attend) which can last up to an hour. The assessment also involves completing questionnaires about your child. If we need further information we may also complete a school visit. You will not be charged extra for this.

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Where does the assessment take place?

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It is important for your child to feel relaxed and comfortable, therefore we will see them for the ADOS-2 either at home or in a quiet room at their school.  We do not offer online appointments with the child as we feel that this is not as meaningful as meetng them in person. The developmental history appointment usually takes place via video call. 

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Who will be involved in the assessment?

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As well as appointments with you and your child, we will send a questionnaire to your child's education provider. We also review any reports you have from professionals.​

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How much does it cost?

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Our assessment costs £1600. Mileage costs are 45p per mile from our base in S7. If you are less than 5 miles from our base there is no mileage fee. Travel time of £50 per hour is added on if you live more than an hour away from our base. We operate in an open and transparent way, and there are no hidden costs. If we need to gain further information about your child through a school visit or additional telephone calls you will not be charged for this. 

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Will the assessment be recognised by Local Authorities/NHS?

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Our comprehensive assessments follow NHS NICE guidelines, use gold-standard tools and are carried out by a multi-disciplinary team of fully accredited and experienced clinicians. The SEND Code of Practice (2015) states that there is no basis in law for the Local Authority to reject a professional report simply because it was privately obtained. If you have any issues with your assessment being accepted, please contact us and we will speak to the local authority on your behalf.

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What if my child masks?

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It is not uncommon for autistic young people to learn coping strategies in order to 'fit in' with the neurotypical world. We  have significant knowledge and experience of working with children who mask, and recognise the impact this can have on their wellbeing. Our comprehensive assessments are designed to unpick any potential masking behaviours and to  learn more about the child's internal experiences across different contexts.  If you have any concerns about your child masking, please discuss this at the assessment.

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What if my child does not receive a diagnosis?

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We know that families can have different feelings around the outcome of the assessment, which we will explore with you from the start of the process. We want the assessment to be as meaningful for you and your child as possible. Although we cannot predict the outcome of an assessment before this has taken place, we aim to help you and your child understand their experiences better. Regardless of the outcome of the assessment we  will explain the clinical reasoning behind our decision and provide detailed and meaningful recommendations for support. 

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What support can I receive after the assessment?

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You will be offered a thorough and detailed feedback appointment. Our report includes tailored recommendations, strategies and resources which will be helpful for you and your child in terms of understanding and supporting their strengths and challenges. We also offer information about local and national services which can provide further support. 

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Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions