Proudly providing NHS servicesNHS Autism Assessments for Children
One Referral. A Clear Answer.
Supporting your child's journey: NHS-funded autism assessments
Navigating the pathway to support can be complex. At Paloma Health, we provide the expert, NICE-compliant assessments your family needs to unlock the right support.As an NHS-commissioned service, any NHS GP in England can refer your child to us. Speak with your NHS GP today about requesting a referral to Paloma Health.
Who is this for
Who is this for?
This page is for parents and carers who suspect their child may be autistic and would like an NHS autism assessment without a long local wait.
Children from their 2nd birthday
We offer autism assessments for children from their 2nd birthday up to their 18th birthday on our Exeter hybrid pathway. On our Norwich hybrid pathway, we can offer them from a child's 6th birthday. For remote assessments, we can offer them from a child's 8th birthday.
Registered with an NHS GP in England
Paloma Health is only available in England, and only NHS GPs in England can refer into our service. There is no cost to your family.
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Traits you are seeing at home or school
If you recognise your child in what autism can look like in childhood, that is a good reason to speak to your GP. See what to look out for ↓
If your child has a diagnosed or suspected learning disability, speech and language condition or selective mutism, they will need to be seen at our Exeter or Norwich clinic rather than assessed remotely.
What to expect
What to expect during the assessment
If you suspect your child might have autism, we understand how emotional and overwhelming this time can be. Here's what you can expect during the assessment.
Online questionnaires
Completed by you, a family member, and by your child's school or nursery, in your own time.
Parent interview
A detailed conversation with an expert assessor about your child's development and daily life.
Child observation
Held online or at one of clinics, depending on your pathway.
Outcome meeting
We talk you through the findings, and what they mean for your child.
The Paloma Portal
Once you start the assessment, you will have access to our Paloma Portal with valuable autism-related information and support, curated by our clinicians.
How our service works
Stage 1
NHS GP Referral
To begin the process, your NHS GP will need to refer your child to us.
For our Remote or Hybrid Exeter pathway, your GP can complete our online referral form.For our Hybrid Norwich pathway, your GP will need to contact us directly. We're happy to support your GP with any questions they may have.
Stage 2
The assessment
Our autism assessments follow NICE and NHS guidelines and are carried out by two qualified assessors.
The process includes:
Parent and school questionnaires
Parent interview
A child observation
We'll keep you informed at each stage so you always know what to expect.
Stage 3
The outcome
At the end of the assessment, you will receive a clear, easy-to-understand outcome report, including a diagnosis if appropriate.
As an NHS provider, we will also securely share the report with you and your GP, ensuring continuity of care and next steps.
Talking to your GP
Requesting a Right to Choose referral
Four steps take you from recognising the traits to a referral in your GP's hands. You must explicitly choose Paloma Health to be referred to our service.
1
Complete a screening questionnaire
2
Book an appointment with your NHS GP
3
Prepare for your NHS GP appointment
4
Direct your GP to the Paloma Health website
What happens after your GP refers
Preparing for your GP appointment
We recommend checking the NICE guidance Appendix: features suggesting possible autism to help you feel more confident in speaking to your GP about an autism assessment for your child.To help you navigate this process, we have created a comprehensive referral document. This step-by-step guide is designed to make your preparation as smooth as possible and gives you clear, actionable advice on what to do if your GP refuses to make a referral.
Screening tools
AQ-10 for children aged 4–11
AQ-10 for adolescents aged 12–15
AQ-10 for anyone aged 16 and older
CAT-Q, for individuals aged 16 and older, which measures social camouflaging or "masking" behaviours
Know your right to choose
If your GP agrees that your child is showing signs of autism and is willing to make a referral to an NHS autism assessment service, you have the legal right to choose which NHS provider you are referred to. You must explicitly choose Paloma Health to be referred to our service.
Your GP is the only person who can make this referral, schools cannot refer to NHS Right to Choose services.
Assessment pathway options
Which pathway is right for your child?
Joint ADHD and autism referrals are available on two pathways, for children aged 8 to 18. Compare the options below and ask your GP for the one that fits.
Remote pathway
For children aged 8 to 18
Your child is assessed from home, with no travel needed. Appointments are held online at times arranged with you.
Ask your GP for a referral to the "Remote Pathway"
Check Our Current Wait →Hybrid exeter, 5-18
Hybrid Exeter pathway, for children aged 5 to 18
Have your child's observation appointment in person at our Exeter clinic. The remaining appointments are held online.
Ask your GP for a referral to the "Hybrid Exeter Pathway".
Check Our Current Wait →Hybrid exeter, 2-4
Hybrid Exeter pathway, for children aged 2 to 4
Have your child's observation appointment in person at our Exeter clinic. Children aged between 2 and their 5th birthday must first be assessed by a community paediatrician who recommends them for an autism assessment prior to referral.
Ask your GP for a referral to the "Hybrid Exeter Pathway".
Check Our Current Wait →Hybrid norwich, 6-18
Hybrid Norwich pathway, for children aged 6 to 18
Have your child's observation appointment in person at our Norwich clinic. If your GP is based on Norfolk & Suffolk, your GP will need to contact us directly rather than using our online form.
Ask your GP for a referral to the "Hybrid Norwich Pathway".
Check Our Current Wait →Not all children are able to have a fully remote assessment. If your child has a diagnosed or suspected learning disability, speech and language condition or selective mutism, they must be seen in either our Exeter or Norwich clinics.
Pathway questionnaire
Complete this short form to download your free GP referral pack
We have created a comprehensive referral document. This step-by-step guide is designed to make your preparation as smooth as possible and gives you clear, actionable advice on what to do if your GP refuses to make a referral. We have also provided a downloadable letter template that you can customise and send directly to your GP practice to request your child's assessment referral under the NHS Right to Choose pathway to Paloma Health.
Meet the team
Led by Clinical Experts
You may have been waiting a long time for an assessment, and it's normal if you feel nervous or anxious about this important moment. Rest assured, you can expect the highest quality care. We work with a variety of experienced professionals who will guide you and your family toward the clarity you need.
Maria
Senior Assessor
Nichola
Senior Assessor
Shona
Senior Assessor
Dr Rachel Sarr
Specialist Assessor
Dr Hannah Brown
Specialist Assessor
Dr Shweta Sardesai
Specialist Prescriber
Accredited and regulated
Trustpilot reviews
Expertise you can trust, care you can feel
Choosing the right provider brings peace of mind. With a 4.9/5 rating on both Google and Trustpilot, Paloma Health is proud to be one of the highest-rated NHS Right to Choose autism services in the country, dedicated to providing a warm and thorough experience for every family.
Excellent — 4.9/5
What to look out for
What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain works. It is not caused by parenting, and it is not something a child grows out of. What follows is a plain description of what it can look like in childhood.
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How autism can present
Autism affects how a child experiences the world around them, and how they communicate and relate to other people. Traits are present from early childhood, though they are often noticed later.
What parents often notice
Strong preference for routine, and real distress when it changes
Deep, focused interests
Sensitivity to noise, light, textures, clothing or food
Taking language literally, or missing unspoken social rules
Delayed or unusual speech and language development
Strong preference for routine, and real distress when it changes
Deep, focused interests
Sensitivity to noise, light, textures, clothing or food
Taking language literally, or missing unspoken social rules
Holding it together at school, then struggling at home
Masking, and why autism is missed
Many children put significant effort into hiding autistic traits, which can obscure the typical signs. This is particularly relevant for girls and gender-diverse young people, who may be under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed because of their ability to mask.
What parents often notice
Copying other children's speech, expressions or interests
Exhaustion after social situations
Anxiety, low mood or low self-esteem
School refusal or frequent absence
Forgetting instructions, homework, kit and belongings
Restlessness, fidgeting or a constant need to move
Acting or speaking before thinking it through
Big emotional reactions that pass quickly
Starting many things and finishing few of them
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Autism and ADHD together
Some traits belong to both, and can be read either way depending on who is looking. This is why families are often told to pick one condition, then find themselves back at the start.
Traits that can point either way
If this sounds like your child, ask your GP about a referral for both conditions.
This is general information to help you decide whether to speak to your GP. It is not a diagnosis, and no list of traits can replace an assessment by a qualified clinician.
Help centre
Autism assessment FAQs
Who can refer my child for an autism assessment?
Any NHS GP in England can refer your child to us under NHS Right to Choose. Your GP is the only person who can make this referral, and schools cannot refer to NHS Right to Choose services.
From what age do you assess children for autism?
We offer autism assessments for children from their 2nd birthday. Children aged between 2 and their 5th birthday must first be assessed by a community paediatrician who recommends an autism assessment before being referred to us. Remote autism assessments are available from your child's 8th birthday.
How long is the wait time for an autism assessment?
Waits depend on the pathway, from approximately 12 weeks on our Remote pathway to approximately 15 weeks for children aged 2 to 4 in Exeter. These are averages, and your family's specific wait can be shorter or longer depending on how quickly we receive information from schools or nurseries and the availability of our specialist assessors.
Is there any cost to my family?
No. As an official NHS Right to Choose provider, our assessments come at no cost to your family.
Will my child's school be involved?
Yes. School questionnaires are part of the assessment and must be received before we can book the assessment appointment. Teacher feedback and SENCO notes are also useful to bring to your GP appointment.
Can my child be assessed from home?
On our Remote pathway, yes. If your child has a diagnosed or suspected learning disability, speech and language condition or selective mutism, they will need to be seen at our Exeter or Norwich clinic on the Hybrid pathway.
What happens if a diagnosis is not given?
You still receive a full outcome report. It explains what we found, what it means, and what support we recommend, whether or not a diagnosis is given for either condition.
Who carries out the assessment?
Our autism assessments follow NICE and NHS guidelines and are carried out by two qualified assessors. Our team includes experienced clinical psychologists, social workers and speech and language therapists.
Will the report be accepted by our school?
Yes. Our reports are recognised and accepted by schools, local authorities and other NHS services, and we share the report securely with you and your GP.
One Referral. a clear answer.
Avoid the long wait for an NHS autism assessment
Start your child's assessment journey with an NHS GP referral to Paloma Health.
Paloma Health is only available in England, and only NHS GPs in England can refer into our service
