Skip to content Youthful Minds provides specialist, neuroaffirming autism assessments for children and young people. We specialise in supporting those who may find traditional assessment settings difficult to access or complete.
Below, you can find answers about referrals, appointments, the assessment process, reports, payments and cancellations.
Youthful Minds provides specialist autism assessments for children and young people.
We adapt the assessment around each child’s communication, sensory needs, emotional wellbeing, interests and strengths. As a result, children have more time and flexibility to take part in their own way.
Learn more about our autism assessment services.
We support children and young people who may:
Every child is different. Therefore, we plan the assessment around their individual needs.
A neuroaffirming approach respects neurological differences as part of human diversity.
We do not try to change who a child is. Instead, we help families understand the child’s experiences, recognise their strengths and identify helpful support.
Read more about Youthful Minds and our approach.
No. Youthful Minds provides autism assessments for children and young people.
No. Our current clinical service focuses on autism assessments for children and young people.
No. We do not currently offer stand-alone mental health assessments. However, our autism assessments consider the child’s emotional wellbeing as part of the wider clinical picture.
We are happy to offer a refund if you change your mind about proceeding with the assessment. Refunds are available if you contact us at least 48 hours before the assessment. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a refund if part of the assessment has already taken place and you decide not to proceed further.
We provide private autism assessments across London, Kent and Essex.
Yes. An assessment may include online and in-person appointments.
The format will depend on the child’s needs and what is clinically appropriate. We will discuss the proposed arrangements during the initial consultation.
Please view our current autism assessment prices or contact us for more information.
We explain the full cost and payment schedule before the assessment begins.
Yes. We offer flexible payment options so families can spread the cost across different assessment stages.
We will explain the payment schedule during the initial consultation.
Yes. You can pay the full autism assessment fee in advance if you prefer.
Payments are normally due before each assessment stage.
We will give you a clear payment schedule before you proceed. If your child needs an additional session, we will discuss the cost before booking it.
No. Payment covers the professional assessment, appointments, clinical review, feedback and written report.
It cannot guarantee a particular diagnostic outcome.
Please give us at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.
You can contact us by telephone, text, WhatsApp or email. Giving enough notice helps us protect your deposit and offer the appointment to another family.
We may retain the appointment fee and charge an additional rebooking fee.
Therefore, please contact us as soon as you know that you cannot attend.
We may charge you for the missed appointment if you do not attend or contact us.
We may also request payment before arranging a replacement appointment.
If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we may need to cancel the appointment.
This allows us to give every family their full appointment time.
Refunds depend on the assessment stage and the work our team has already completed.
Please read the terms provided when booking. Alternatively, contact us to discuss your circumstances.
Email referrals@youthfulminds.co.uk and request a referral form.
We will then arrange a 30-minute consultation to discuss your child’s needs and explain the next steps.
First, email referrals@youthfulminds.co.uk and request a referral form.
Next, complete and return the form. We will then arrange a 30-minute consultation to discuss your child’s needs. During this appointment, we will confirm whether our service is suitable.
A referral provides important information about your child. For example, it may describe their communication, strengths, needs and previous experiences.
This information helps us prepare for the initial consultation and plan suitable next steps.
No. Parents and carers can contact Youthful Minds directly.
However, a GP, school or another professional may support the referral when appropriate.
No. Youthful Minds provides private autism assessments. We do not currently offer NHS Right to Choose assessments.
First, we review the information on the form. Next, we arrange a 30-minute consultation to discuss your child.
If our service is suitable, we explain the assessment pathway, appointment options and costs. You can then decide whether you wish to continue.
An autism assessment gathers information from several sources. This helps the clinical team understand whether the child meets the diagnostic criteria for autism.
However, the assessment considers more than the diagnostic outcome. It also explores the child’s strengths, communication, relationships, interests, routines, sensory experiences and emotional wellbeing.
The autism assessment may include:
We may adjust the order or format of appointments when this helps the child participate.
A developmental history appointment is a detailed conversation with a parent or carer.
We discuss the child’s early experiences and current needs. In addition, we explore their development, communication, relationships, interests, routines and sensory experiences.
A clinician observes how the child communicates, interacts and responds during the session.
We adapt the observation to the child’s age, communication style and needs. Therefore, we do not expect every child to communicate or participate in the same way.
No. Children communicate in many different ways.
For example, a child may communicate through speech, play, writing, gestures, movement, behaviour or silence. Our clinicians take time to notice and understand each child’s communication.
We focus on building trust before expecting the child to engage.
In addition, we can adjust the pace, setting and structure of appointments. We do not pressure children to speak, make eye contact or behave in a particular way.
Please discuss this with us during the initial consultation.
Where clinically appropriate, we can adapt the assessment setting or structure. This may help children who experience anxiety, struggle to leave home or need a more predictable process.
We can complete some parts of the assessment online when clinically appropriate.
However, the format depends on the child’s needs and the clinical information required. We will explain which appointments can take place online before the assessment begins.
We may request information from the child’s school or another professional who knows them well.
This information helps us understand how the child manages in different environments. However, we will explain what we need and seek appropriate consent before making contact.
We can arrange additional sessions when clinically necessary.
Some children need more time to build trust or feel comfortable. If we recommend another session, we will explain why and discuss the cost before booking it.
We aim to complete most assessments within two to four weeks of the initial consultation.
However, some children may need more time or additional sessions. The timescale may also depend on how quickly we receive information from schools or other professionals.
Registered professionals complete the assessment as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Our clinicians follow recognised best practice, including NICE guidance. In addition, they approach every assessment with care, respect and clinical integrity.
After reviewing all the information, our multidisciplinary team agrees on the assessment outcome.
We then arrange a feedback appointment with the parent or carer. During this meeting, we explain the outcome, answer questions and discuss the recommendations.
Finally, you will receive a full written report.
We explain what the diagnosis means for your child and their individual experiences.
In addition, the report includes personalised recommendations for home, education and everyday life.
We explain how the team reached the outcome and discuss the information gathered during the assessment.
The report will still describe your child’s strengths and needs. Where appropriate, it may also suggest further support or assessment.
Recommendations reflect the child’s individual strengths and needs. They may cover:
Yes. Qualified clinicians write our reports in line with recognised clinical practice and NICE guidance.
Schools, employers and other services can consider the report when planning support or reasonable adjustments. However, each organisation makes its own decisions about the evidence it accepts.
We do not currently provide a separate post-diagnostic clinical service.
However, every autism assessment includes personalised recommendations and guidance about suitable next steps.
We are also developing research-based resources and training through I Am Autistic and Neurodivergent Resources.
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