Proudly providing NHS servicesNHS Autism Assessments for Children
Navigating the pathway to support can be complex. At Paloma Health, we provide the expert, NICE-compliant autism 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.
who is this for
Who can be assessed by Paloma Health?
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. You can check if your child is eligible for an assessment here.
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.
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
How does an autism assessment for children work?
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.
1. Online questionnaires
Once your child has been referred to our service by your GP, we will ask you to complete some forms to provide our assessors with background information.
2. During the assessment
Our assessments follow NICE guidelines and are carried out by two qualified assessors. The assessment includes a 60-minute parent interview, and a seperate 60-minute observation session with your child.
3. After the assessment
Once the assessment is complete, we'll book an outcome feedback session where a clinician will explain the outcome of your child's assessment. You'll also receive a report outlining the full diagnostic decision and recommendations. We will share this report with you and your GP, ensuring continuity of care and next steps.
talking to your gp
How to request a Right to Choose referral?
Right to Choose is a legal right set out in the NHS Constitution. It means you can choose which NHS-approved provider carries out your first appointment with a specialist team.
Check your child is eligible
Use our eligibility checker to confirm you can be referred to us under Right to Choose.
Speak to your GP
Book a GP appointment and ask to be referred to Paloma Health under Right to Choose. Our GP letter explains everything they need.
Your GP refers your child
Your GP completes our referral form. We'll confirm we've received it and let you know what happens next.
Your assessment
We'll book your assessment, keep you informed at each stage and send you and your GP a clear, easy-to-read report.
Not sure what to say to your GP? Get our free referral guide
We've created a step-by-step referral guide to help you prepare for your GP appointment. It explains what to bring and what to ask for.
It also includes a letter template you can download and edit. Send it to your GP practice to request an assessment referral to Paloma Health under the NHS Right to Choose pathway.
assessment pathway options
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 →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
Dr Rachel Sarr
Specialist Assessor
Dr Hannah Brown
Specialist Assessor
Dr Shweta Sardesai
Consultant Paediatrician
Accredited and regulated
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
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
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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
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.
frequently asked questions
Have a question about autism assessments?
You can find answers below to some of the questions we get asked the most. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can find more on our FAQs page.
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.
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 and ADHD services in the country, dedicated to providing a warm and thorough experience for every family.
Excellent — 4.9/5
