Plenty of autistic young people aren’t identified until their teens. As friendships grow more complex and the pressure of secondary school builds, the strategies that once helped your child cope can stop working — and what was quietly managed for years finally comes to the surface. Why autism is recognised later in teens Teenagers who […]
Some children reach primary school before autism is considered — often when the social side of school, rather than the schoolwork, becomes the sticking point. If your child finds friendships confusing, needs routines to feel safe, or comes home exhausted from holding it together all day, an assessment may bring real clarity. Signs at primary […]
If your toddler isn’t pointing, doesn’t respond to their name, or seems happiest in their own world, you may be wondering about autism. Trusting that instinct early matters — autism can be reliably identified in the pre-school years, and early understanding helps your child far more than waiting to see. Early signs in toddlers Every […]
If you are considering a private autism assessment for your child — or for yourself — it is completely normal to feel uncertain about what the process involves. Many parents describe feeling both hopeful and anxious at the same time. This guide explains exactly what to expect at every stage, from the first phone call […]
One of the first questions parents ask when considering a private autism assessment is: how much will it cost? The honest answer is that fees vary quite widely — but understanding what drives the price will help you know what to look for and what to expect. Work out your costs Estimate the cost for […]
If you have asked your GP for an autism referral and been told to expect a long wait, you are far from alone. The NHS autism waiting list in England is at its highest recorded level, and families across the UK are struggling with delays that stretch into years rather than months. This guide explains […]
You have done your research, you have written down your concerns, you have taken them to your GP — and they have said no. A GP declining to refer for an autism assessment is one of the most common and most distressing experiences parents of autistic children describe. It leaves you feeling dismissed and unsure […]
For decades, autism was understood through research conducted almost entirely on boys. The diagnostic criteria, the clinical tools, and the commonly described traits were built on a male presentation of autism. As a result, autistic girls and women have been systematically under-identified — and many are still being missed today. If you have a daughter, […]
You have made the referral, or you are on the NHS waiting list, and now you are facing a wait that could stretch into months or years. The period between referral and assessment can feel like a frustrating limbo — but it does not have to be. There is a great deal that parents can […]
If you have concerns about your toddler’s development — their communication, social responses, or behaviour — it is natural to wonder whether an autism assessment might be appropriate and, if so, whether your child is old enough. The short answer is: children can be assessed from around 18 to 24 months, and early identification almost […]