Autism Support / Advice & next steps
What evidence may help an autism assessment
You do not need to create a professional-looking dossier. Clear examples from people who know the child are valuable when they describe context and impact honestly.
Quick answer
Helpful autism-assessment evidence describes the child’s development and current experiences across more than one setting. Include specific examples of communication, interaction, routines, interests, sensory needs, regulation and daily impact, along with the child’s strengths and views. Evidence should inform assessment, not try to prove a predetermined outcome.
What this means
Assessment services may request developmental history, school or nursery information, health records and questionnaires. Useful evidence distinguishes what happened from what you think it may mean. For example, record the situation, the child’s response, the support offered and what changed. Note differences between settings, recovery after masking and patterns that have been present over time.
Balanced evidence includes abilities, interests and successful strategies as well as difficulties. This helps clinicians understand the child’s profile and avoids reducing them to a list of concerns.
Questionnaires are screening or information tools; they are not a diagnosis by themselves and should be interpreted within the wider assessment.
Questions to ask
Which examples show a consistent pattern across development or settings?
What helps the child communicate, regulate and participate?
Are masking, recovery time or differences between home and school recorded?
What information does the assessment service specifically require?
Local Northamptonshire route
Use the evidence requirements given by the current NHS or commissioned assessment service, as pathways can change. North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire Local Offers and SENDIASS services are separate and can help with education support information, but the councils do not replace the clinical diagnostic process.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Families can gather evidence without paid help. If considering private assessment, check professional registration and ask how evidence from school and other settings will be obtained. Avoid services that promise a particular result.
What happens next?
Submit only through the requested route and keep copies. Ask how additional evidence can be provided if circumstances change. While waiting, continue to use the evidence to plan reasonable adjustments and SEN Support around current needs.
Support that may help
GP or referral service · School SENCO · Autism assessment clinicians · SENDIASS
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.