Wondering, how to get a medical assessment, or just diagnosed? Start here.
Wherever you are, you are not alone. Read how autism is assessed, then the first steps that help, at your own pace.
How autism is assessed
There is no blood test or scan for autism. Trained professionals diagnose it by looking at how your child communicates, plays and behaves, and at how they have developed since birth. You don't need to be sure your child is autistic to ask for an assessment.
Screening: a short questionnaire
Screening shows whether a full assessment is a good idea. For toddlers aged 16 to 30 months, many doctors use the M-CHAT-R/F: 20 yes-or-no questions a parent answers in a few minutes, available free in many languages at mchatscreen.com. Older children may be screened with other questionnaires.
A screening result is not a diagnosis. A high score means: ask for an assessment. A low score does not rule autism out, so if you are still worried, say so.
Referral: ask for an assessment
Talk to your family doctor (GP), paediatrician or health visitor. In some places the nursery or school can refer too. Take your notes and, if you can, a few short phone videos of what worries you. Ask for a copy of the referral letter.
The assessment itself
A specialist team, often a developmental paediatrician, child psychiatrist or psychologist, and a speech and language therapist, usually:
- talks with you about your child's development, from pregnancy to now (often using a structured interview such as the ADI-R);
- watches your child play and do simple activities (often using the ADOS-2, which feels like guided play);
- reads reports from nursery or school, and may observe your child there;
- checks hearing and vision, and looks for other conditions that often come with autism, such as ADHD, epilepsy or learning difficulties.
It can take one long appointment or several shorter ones.
The report
You should receive a written report saying whether your child is autistic, what their strengths are, what support they need, and recommendations for home, school and therapy. Ask for a meeting to go through it, and share it with the school.
How to prepare
- Write down examples of communication, play, sensory reactions and routines, with dates.
- Collect reports from nursery, school or therapists.
- Bring a favourite toy or snack, and tell the team about anything that upsets your child (noise, lights, waiting).
- Explain to your child simply what will happen: "We're going to play and talk with some new people."
- Write your questions down before you go.
Questions to ask
- How long is the wait, and what support can we get meanwhile?
- Who will see my child, and what will they do?
- Will you talk to the school or nursery?
- When and how will we get the written report?
- What happens next if my child is, or is not, diagnosed?
Getting an assessment where you live
Checked October 2026. Rules and waiting times change, so confirm with your doctor or local service.
United Kingdom
Your GP, health visitor or school refers your child to the local NHS autism or child development team. Waits can be many months. In England you have the Right to Choose which NHS-funded service assesses your child, which can shorten the wait; ask your GP. Private assessments are faster but paid: check the professionals are registered (for example with the HCPC) and that your local services will accept the result.
- National Autistic Society: how to request an assessment
United Arab Emirates
Your paediatrician can refer you to a developmental paediatrician or a multidisciplinary team. In Dubai, the clinical guideline says a team should aim to complete the assessment within 2 to 4 weeks of referral for children under 6, with a written report for the family. In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Health has designated eight specialised autism diagnostic centres (April 2026): you can book directly or be referred through Well-Child visits, nursery or school, and the first appointment should be within 14 days. The Dubai Autism Center offers free assessments for Emirati children.
United States
Paediatricians are advised to screen every child for autism at 18 and 24 months. A diagnosis is made by a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, child psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist. You don't need a diagnosis to get help: Early Intervention (under 3) and your school district (from 3) must evaluate your child for free if you ask.
Brazil
Start at your UBS. The M-CHAT is in the Caderneta da Criança for children aged 16 to 30 months. The diagnosis is clinical, made by a neuropediatra or psiquiatra, usually with a team (psicologia, fonoaudiologia, terapia ocupacional). Care can start before the diagnosis. Ask for a written laudo: you will need it for the CIPTEA card, school support and health plan cover.
Portugal
Your family doctor or paediatrician in the SNS can refer your child to a hospital developmental paediatrics (neurodesenvolvimento) or child psychiatry clinic. For children under 6, the local early intervention team (ELI) can start supporting your family while you wait.
First steps, wherever you are
Whether you are wondering, waiting for an assessment or have just received a diagnosis, these steps can help you find your way.
Take a breath. Your child is the same child.
A diagnosis does not change who your child is. It gives you a better map for understanding them. It is normal to feel relief, worry, grief or all of these at once.
If you suspect autism, write down what you notice
Note examples of communication, play, sensory reactions and routines, at home and at school. Take these notes to your family doctor (GP), paediatrician or health visitor, and ask about a referral for an autism assessment.
Don't wait for a diagnosis to start helping
Waiting lists can be long. You can adapt your home, ask the school for support and learn about your child's needs while you wait. In the UK, schools must support children's needs whether or not they have a diagnosis.
Ask for the written report and use it
After an assessment, ask for the full report and its recommendations. Share it with your child's school and the professionals who support them.
Talk to the school
Meet the person responsible for special educational needs and agree a plan together. Small changes, like a quiet space or a visual timetable, can make a big difference.
Learn from autistic people
Books, videos and blogs by autistic adults give a view from the inside that professionals cannot. They can help you understand your child's experience.
Be careful of "cures"
Autism cannot be cured, and some products sold as cures are dangerous. Be wary of anyone promising to cure or "recover" your child. Check any therapy with a trusted health professional.
Look after yourself too
Connect with other parents, accept help, and rest when you can. A supported parent is better able to support their child.
The parents' guide (5 pages, PDF)
Everything in one place: five things to know first, a first-steps checklist, questions to ask at appointments, support and rights in the UK, US, UAE, Brazil and Portugal, an "About my child" page to share with teachers and doctors, and logs for notes and contacts.
Download the parents' guideFirst steps checklist (1 page, PDF)
The ten most important steps on one page, to print and stick on the fridge.
Download the checklistThings parents often notice
Every child is different. Noticing some of these is a reason to talk to a professional, not a diagnosis.
- Talking later, or communicating in other ways
- Less eye contact, or not responding to their name
- Strong reactions to sounds, lights, textures or smells
- Deep, focused interests
- Needing routines and finding change hard
- Repeated movements such as hand-flapping or rocking
- Finding play or friendships with others confusing
Questions to ask at appointments
- What did the assessment find, and what are my child's strengths?
- What support do you recommend at home and at school?
- Should my child see a speech and language or occupational therapist?
- Who is my main contact, and how do I reach them?
- How long are the waiting lists, and what can we do meanwhile?
- Are there parent courses or support groups you recommend?
Get help straight away if
your child loses skills they had (such as words or play), stops eating or drinking, is hurting themselves, or you are worried about their safety. Contact your doctor, or emergency services if it is urgent.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a health or education professional who knows your child.
More information and support for families