Autism assessments
A thoughtful, comprehensive assessment designed around the individual - not just the diagnosis.
An autism assessment can provide much more than a diagnostic answer. For many people and families, it can bring understanding to experiences that may have felt confusing for years, identify strengths and support needs, and help make sense of what comes next.
At The Cognitive Collective, our assessments are comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming and individually considered. We don't use one pathway for everybody. Following screening, we'll recommend the assessment route most appropriate for you or your child.
Your assessment, clinical review and comprehensive diagnostic report are all included within the price, with the completed report provided within 4 weeks of completing the assessment.
From £2,300 · Children, young people & adults · Full diagnostic report included
Ages 5 - 10
(All Primary School) ​
All primary-school-aged children follow our psychiatry-led assessment pathway.
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Younger children can have a more complex developmental picture, so this pathway brings together specialist autism assessment with child and adolescent psychiatric expertise.
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The assessment includes an ADOS-2 with our specialist assessment team and a detailed developmental assessment with Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Hayley van Zwanenberg.
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The findings are considered together to reach a careful, multidisciplinary diagnostic decision, followed by a comprehensive report detailing the outcome, individual profile and recommendations.
​Psychiatry-led · £2,500
Ages 11 - 18
(All Secondary School) ​
For young people aged 11–18, either our psychology-led or psychiatry-led pathway may be appropriate. You don't need to decide which one to book.
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We'll consider the information gathered during screening, including developmental history, mental health, possible co-occurring conditions and the overall clinical picture, and recommend the pathway we believe is most appropriate.
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Where psychiatric involvement would add important clinical insight, we'll recommend our psychiatry-led pathway with Dr Hayley van Zwanenberg. Where this isn't needed, the assessment can be completed entirely by our in-house psychology and assessment team.
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Whichever pathway is recommended, the aim is the same: a careful, comprehensive assessment that looks beyond individual scores and considers the whole young person.
Psychology-led £2,300
Psychiatry-led £2,500
Adults
Our adult autism assessments are completed through our psychology-led pathway and are carried out entirely within The Cognitive Collective.
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The assessment brings together detailed developmental history, clinical information and specialist autism assessment tools to explore both current experiences and patterns across the person's life.
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Because the pathway is completed fully in-house, we can coordinate each stage closely and offer a streamlined assessment process from beginning to end.
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If information gathered during screening suggests that a different or more specialist assessment pathway would be clinically appropriate, we'll explain this before you commit to a full assessment and help you understand your options.
Psychology-led · £2,300
What does an autism assessment involve?
1
ADOS-2
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) is a structured, interactive assessment completed with one of our trained clinicians. It gives us an opportunity to understand aspects of communication, social interaction and behaviour through conversation and activities.
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At The Cognitive Collective, ADOS-2 assessments are always completed face-to-face at either our Cheltenham or London clinic. The ADOS-2 is considered a gold-standard tool within autism assessment and was developed and validated for in-person administration.
2
ADI-R & developmental history
We'll also explore development from early childhood onwards, including communication, relationships, sensory experiences, interests, routines and behaviour.
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Where possible, this involves someone who knew the person during childhood, such as a parent or caregiver.
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Within our psychiatry-led pathway, this part of the assessment is completed by Dr Hayley van Zwanenberg, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.
3
Clinical review
Assessment results are never considered in isolation.​ Our clinicians bring together information from screening, developmental history, the ADOS-2, questionnaires and other relevant information to consider whether the overall picture meets diagnostic criteria for autism and whether anything else may better explain, or sit alongside, someone's experiences.
Your Report
Following completion of the assessment, you'll receive a comprehensive written report within 4 weeks.
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Your report will explain the findings and diagnostic outcome, but we want it to do more than simply say whether somebody is or isn't autistic.
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Wherever possible, we want people to leave assessment with a better understanding of their individual profile - including strengths, differences, areas where support may be helpful and practical recommendations for what comes next.
Before booking an assessment
Everyone entering our diagnostic pathway will first need either an Autism Screening with The Cognitive Collective or an appropriate professional referral.
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This allows us to consider whether a full autism assessment is clinically appropriate and, importantly, which assessment pathway is right for you or your child.
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We do this before asking you to make the financial commitment of a full assessment.
Concerned about the cost of an autism assessment? Check out our payment options. Up to 12-month plans, 0% interest, £200 deposit.
Ready to book?
1 hr 30 min
2,300 British pounds
1 hr 30 min
2,500 British pounds
1 hr 30 min
2,300 British pounds