Frequently Asked Questions

What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? 

Autism, often called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a natural and lifelong variation in how a person’s brain develops and processes information. It shapes the way a child experiences the world, communicates, learns, and relates to others. 

ASD is quite common—current research estimates that about 1 in every 50 children is diagnosed with autism, reflecting a wide and diverse community of autistic people. 

Children with autism often share some common characteristics, though each child is unique. These may include differences in social communication (such as understanding and using language, reading social cues, or making friends), sensory experiences (being more sensitive or less sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, or tastes), and behaviours (such as enjoying routines, engaging deeply with special interests, or having unique ways of expressing themselves). 

Autism is not a disorder to be “fixed,” but a different way of being that brings both strengths and challenges. 

What is the difference between social communication differences and ASD? 

Social communication differences describe a range of ways children may express themselves, understand others, and use language in social settings. ASD includes social communication differences but also involves other traits such as sensory preferences or unique patterns of thinking and behaviour. Not all social communication differences mean a child has autism, but they are important to understand and support. 

Are social communication difficulties always linked to ASD? 

—–

What causes ASD or social communication differences? 

 ——

How do social communication differences or ASD affect a child’s daily life?  

 —–

What therapies or interventions help children with social communication differences or ASD? 

Effective support focuses on understanding each child’s strengths, interests, and challenges. Therapies and interventions aim to empower children to communicate, connect, and thrive in ways that feel natural to them.  

Approaches that respect neurodiversity and prioritise the child’s wellbeing—such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, play-based learning, and support for social, emotional, and mental health—can be helpful.  

What resources or supports are available? 

—–

What should I tell teachers or caregivers about my child’s social communication needs? 

Share your child’s unique way of communicating, learning, and interacting. Highlight their strengths and any strategies that help them feel comfortable and understood. 

What is the appointment for?

This appointment is an assessment of your child’s social communication difficulties. The assessment may lead to a diagnosis of autism.

What happens on the day of the appointment?

On the day of the assessment, you will see two professionals, usually a Speech and Language Therapist and a Developmental Paediatrician or a Clinical Psychologist.

Parents will complete a developmental interview with the Paediatrician or clinical psychologist about your child.

Children will be with the Speech and Language Therapist and will play with some toys and sometimes look at pictures and books as well as some other activities. These will be developmentally appropriate for your child.

There will then usually be short break where the Paediatrician or Psychologist and Speech and Language Therapist will meet to put everything together, including the information we have gathered from your child’s educational placement, if appropriate.

How should I prepare my child for the assessment?

You don’t need to do anything prepare for the assessment. We understand that children might be nervous about the appointment and will do our best to put them at ease on the day. The assessment should a fun experience for your child.

You will be sent a social story that you can share with your child before the appointment where there will be photos of the building and room and pictures of the team. Please feel free to  bring along any items that might be comforting or calming for you child like a favourite toy or blanket.

If you child uses any tools to communicate like pictures or a book, please bring those along.

Please also let us know if there is anything that will help your child on the day and we will do our best to accommodate this.

What are the assessments?

The Paediatrician or Psychologist will carry out a developmental interview specifically for autism.

The speech and language therapist will often do an assessment called the ADOS or, in some cases, a play-based assessment. The ADOS (Autism Observation Schedule) is a standardized assessment that helps us understand your child’s differences in relation to Autism. The exact assessment and tasks is dependent on your child’s age, and we modify the assessment to ensure we have all the information we need to reach an outcome.

Will I find out if my child will be diagnosed with autism on the day?

Parents are usually told the outcome of the assessment on the day, which can be that your child has Autism or not. We will explain why we have reached this outcome and what it means for your child and the family. Sometimes, the team may not be able to do this and may need to gather more information. If this is the case we will explain this to you, and you will be offered a follow up telephone call to discuss the outcome.

How long is the appointment?

The appointment is two hours long. This is so there is enough time to complete the interview with you and play based assessment with your child, for the team to meet to review the information, and to give you feedback about the assessment.

Who should attend the appointment?

Parents and carers with parental responsibility and the child should attend the appointment. You can bring another adult, such as a relative or friend, if you feel this will be helpful for you.

Can I bring my other children/pets?

To ensure the assessment runs smoothly, we ask that no other children or pets attend the appointment. This helps us focus fully on your child and provide the most accurate evaluation. If other children are bought to the appointment, they will need to be supervised by an adult outside of the appointment room.