What an Autism Assessment Involves

A formal autism assessment is a comprehensive evaluation by specialist clinicians, exploring how you communicate, relate to others, and experience the world, alongside your developmental history. NICE guideline CG142 recommends structured tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R to support this.

A comprehensive, structured assessment

An autism assessment in adults is a detailed clinical evaluation, not a single test. NICE guideline CG142 recommends that clinicians use structured assessment tools to organise the process, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R).

Source: NICE CG142 (recommended formal assessment tools: DISCO, ADOS-G, ADI-R).

What it explores

The assessment looks at social communication and interaction, patterns of behaviour and interests, sensory experiences, and your developmental history. It also considers other conditions that may coexist or better explain the difficulties, for example anxiety, mood disorders, or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Source: NICE CG142 (comprehensive assessment; differential diagnoses and coexisting conditions).

What it doesn't rely on

There is no blood test, genetic test or brain scan for autism. NICE is explicit that these are not used for diagnosis. Autism is identified through skilled clinical assessment of how a person communicates, relates and experiences the world.

Source: NICE CG142 (do not use biological, genetic or neuroimaging tests for diagnosis routinely).

The clinicians who assess

Autism assessment requires clinicians trained in these specialist tools. ThinkBetter's clinical reviewer, Dr Miriana Vrajitoriu, is ADOS-2 and ADI-R trained, the gold-standard tools NICE recommends. The clinics we connect you with are CQC-registered and staffed by appropriately trained specialists.

Source: NICE CG142.