Our Assessment Services
Our Multidisciplinary Approach
At Cornerstone Assessments, we use a multidisciplinary approach to autism assessment. Different professionals bring different areas of expertise, helping us build a comprehensive understanding of each individual and ensuring any diagnostic decisions are informed by a range of specialist perspectives.
Our core assessment team typically consists of a Speech and Language Therapist, Educational Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist. Together, these professionals assess communication, social interaction, development, learning, behaviour and emotional wellbeing to gain a detailed understanding of an individual's strengths and needs.
Not every assessment requires input from every professional. Autism presents differently from person to person, and each assessment is tailored to the individual. Where additional expertise would be beneficial, we may involve other specialists such as Occupational Therapists, Dyslexia Specialists or SEN Advisors to provide further insight into areas including sensory processing, learning differences, educational provision and everyday functioning. This flexible approach ensures that each person receives the most appropriate assessment, without undergoing unnecessary appointments or assessments that may not be relevant to their individual circumstances.
While these professionals may contribute to the autism assessment pathway where appropriate, all services are also available independently. Families, educational settings and adults can access individual assessments, consultations and support from any of our professionals without undertaking an autism assessment. Please contact us to discuss your needs and we will be happy to advise on the most appropriate service.
Below, you can learn more about each profession involved within Cornerstone Assessments, including their area of expertise, how they may contribute to the assessment process, and whether they are involved in diagnosing autism.
Autism Assessments
Our Autism Assessment Pathway
We offer autism assessments for children aged 4 years and above. Our assessment pathway has been designed to provide families with a thorough understanding of their child's strengths and needs, while ensuring that a full autism assessment is only carried out when it is likely to be helpful and appropriate.
Step 1: Initial Information Gathering
The process begins with parents and the school or educational provision completing a detailed questionnaire. This explores areas including communication, social interaction, emotional wellbeing, sensory differences, learning, behaviour and daily living skills. Questions are informed by the expertise of our Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists and Occupational Therapists.
Our multidisciplinary team will then review the information provided and meet to discuss whether a diagnostic assessment is appropriate at this stage, or whether alternative support may be more beneficial initially.
Step 2: Initial Assessments
Where appropriate, children will be invited to attend our clinic in Hazel Grove for:
-
A Speech and Language Therapy assessment
-
An Educational Psychology consultation and assessment
A school/educational provision visit may be carried out at this stage.
Following these appointments, families will receive summary reports outlining findings, strengths, areas of need and recommendations for support.
We intentionally split our pathway into stages. This allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of each child while ensuring families receive meaningful support and recommendations, regardless of whether a full autism assessment is ultimately required.
Step 3: Multidisciplinary Review
Following the initial assessments, the team will review all available information and determine the most appropriate next steps.
In many cases, a full autism assessment will be recommended. However, there are occasions where a child's needs may be better understood through further therapeutic support, monitoring or additional assessment before proceeding to a diagnostic evaluation.
Our aim is not to delay diagnosis, but to ensure that families invest their time and money in the most appropriate support for their child.
Step 4: Full Autism Assessment
Where a full autism assessment is recommended, this will include:
-
ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
-
ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised)
-
Educational observation/visit where appropriate (if not already completed in step 2)
-
Additional input from Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy where indicated
All assessments are carried out at our Hazel Grove clinic, with school-based observations completed within the child's educational setting where required.
Step 5: Diagnostic Report
Following completion of the assessment process, the multidisciplinary team will meet to review all findings and reach a diagnostic conclusion.
A comprehensive report will be written and provided to families within six weeks of the final assessment appointment. This report will include diagnostic outcomes, a summary of findings and practical recommendations for home, school and future support.
If a Full Autism Assessment Is Not Recommended:
Not every child who is referred for an autism assessment is immediately ready for a diagnostic assessment, and not every presentation is best explained by autism.
Where we feel an alternative approach would be more beneficial, we will discuss this openly with families and recommend appropriate next steps. These may include:
-
Speech and Language Therapy assessment or therapy
-
Educational Psychology assessment and support
-
Occupational Therapy input
-
Parent workshops and training
-
Group sessions
-
Coffee mornings and parent support opportunities
-
School consultation and training
-
Review appointments to monitor progress and reconsider assessment in the future
We regularly recommend full autism assessments when the evidence suggests this is appropriate. However, we believe it is important to explore all relevant factors and ensure that a diagnostic assessment is the right next step for each child.
Whatever the outcome, our priority is helping children and families access the support they need. Whether that involves a diagnostic assessment, therapy, parental guidance or school-based support, we will work with you to identify the most appropriate pathway forward.
Speech & Language Therapy
What is Speech and Language Therapy?
Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) assess and support communication skills across the lifespan. For children, this may include speech sounds, understanding and using language, social communication, interaction skills, conversation skills and non-verbal communication. SLTs also work with adults who may experience communication differences or difficulties.
Communication differences are a core feature of autism, which means Speech and Language Therapists often play an important role within the assessment process.
How Speech and Language Therapy Supports the Autism Assessment Pathway
At Cornerstone Assessments, Speech and Language Therapists contribute specialist knowledge about how an individual communicates, interacts with others and understands social situations.
The assessment may explore:
-
Social communication and interaction skills
-
Conversation and reciprocal communication
-
Understanding and use of non-verbal communication
-
Play and imagination skills (for children)
-
Understanding of social rules and relationships
-
Language strengths and areas of need
-
Any co-occurring speech or language difficulties
This information helps build a detailed picture of an individual's communication profile and whether their presentation is consistent with autism.
Do Speech and Language Therapists Diagnose Autism?
Yes. However, Speech and Language Therapists do not usually provide an autism diagnosis independently. Instead, they contribute specialist assessment findings as part of a multidisciplinary autism assessment. Their observations and recommendations form an important part of the diagnostic process and help the wider team reach an informed decision.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Following assessment, the Speech and Language Therapist may provide recommendations to support communication, social interaction and participation at home, in education, at work or within the community.
Educational Psychology
What is Educational Psychology?
Educational Psychologists (EPs) specialise in understanding how children and young people learn, develop and engage with their environment.
They consider a wide range of factors that may influence development, including cognition, learning, emotional wellbeing, social development and educational experiences.
Although Educational Psychologists primarily work with children and young people, their expertise is particularly valuable when understanding how autism may affect learning and participation in educational settings. Educational Psychologists are highly skilled in differential diagnosis and have extensive experience in assessing and understanding children's learning, development and wellbeing.
How Educational Psychology Supports the Autism Assessment Pathway
Within the autism assessment process, Educational Psychologists help to understand:
-
Learning strengths and differences
-
Cognitive profiles
-
Attention and executive functioning
-
Social and emotional development
-
Behaviour and presentation within educational settings
-
The impact of sensory and environmental factors on learning
Information may be gathered through discussions with families and schools, observations and specialist assessment tools where appropriate.
Do Educational Psychologists Diagnose Autism?
Yes. However, Educational Psychologists do not usually diagnose autism independently. Their role is to contribute specialist information to the multidisciplinary assessment process. Their understanding of development, learning and educational functioning helps the team determine whether an individual's presentation is consistent with autism and identify any additional needs.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Recommendations may be provided to support learning, educational planning, emotional wellbeing and access to appropriate support within educational settings.
Clinical Psychology
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical Psychologists assess and support emotional wellbeing, mental health, behaviour and psychological development. They work with children, young people and adults to understand how individuals think, feel, learn and interact with the world around them. Clinical Psychologists are often involved in complex assessments where there may be overlapping developmental, emotional or mental health needs.
How Clinical Psychology Supports the Autism Assessment Pathway
Within the autism assessment process, Clinical Psychologists help to understand:
-
Developmental history
-
Social and emotional functioning
-
Behavioural presentation
-
Mental health and wellbeing
-
Relationships and social understanding
-
Cognitive and psychological factors that may influence presentation
Do Clinical Psychologists Diagnose Autism?
Yes. Clinical Psychologists may be involved in making an autism diagnosis as part of a multidisciplinary team assessment. They contribute to the overall diagnostic decision alongside other professionals involved in the assessment process.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Following assessment, recommendations may be provided to support emotional wellbeing, mental health, coping strategies and access to appropriate services.
Occupational Therapy
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) support people to participate as independently and successfully as possible in everyday activities. For children, this may include play, self-care skills, school participation, sensory processing and daily routines. For adults, Occupational Therapists may support independence, work, education and community participation.
How Occupational Therapy Supports the Autism Assessment Pathway
Many autistic individuals experience sensory differences that can affect daily life. Occupational Therapists provide specialist assessment of how sensory processing and everyday functioning may impact an individual.
Assessment may explore:
-
Sensory processing differences
-
Daily living skills
-
Emotional regulation
-
Participation in education, work and community activities
-
Organisation and routine
-
Functional independence
This information helps the assessment team understand how autism-related differences affect day-to-day life.
Do Occupational Therapists Diagnose Autism?
No. Occupational Therapists do not diagnose autism independently. Their role is to contribute detailed information about sensory processing, participation and functional skills as part of the multidisciplinary assessment process.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Recommendations may be provided to support sensory regulation, independence, participation and access to meaningful activities across home, education and community environments.
SEN Advisory Service
What is an SEN Advisory Service?
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Advisors provide specialist guidance to families, schools and educational settings regarding SEND provision, educational support and statutory processes. They help ensure children and young people receive appropriate support and that educational recommendations are implemented effectively.
How SEN Advisory Services Support the Autism Assessment Pathway
At Cornerstone Assessments, SEN Advisors can help families and educational settings understand assessment findings and navigate the support available following assessment.
They may provide advice regarding:
-
SEND support within schools
-
Reasonable adjustments
-
EHCP processes
-
Educational provision
-
Implementing professional recommendations
-
Accessing appropriate support services
Do SEN Advisors Diagnose Autism?
No. SEN Advisors do not diagnose autism and are not directly involved in making diagnostic decisions. Their role is to support families, schools and professionals in understanding and implementing recommendations prior to and following assessment.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Following diagnosis or assessment, SEN Advisors can provide practical guidance to help ensure recommendations are translated into meaningful support within educational settings and wider SEND systems.
Dyslexia Specialist
What is a Dyslexia Specialist?
A Dyslexia Specialist is trained to assess literacy skills and identify difficulties associated with dyslexia and related specific learning differences. They help individuals understand their learning profile, strengths and areas where additional support may be beneficial.
How a Dyslexia Specialist Supports the Autism Assessment Pathway
Dyslexia and autism can sometimes occur alongside one another. Where literacy, reading, spelling or written language difficulties are identified, a Dyslexia Specialist may contribute additional assessment information. This can help the multidisciplinary team gain a clearer understanding of an individual's overall learning profile and identify any co-occurring difficulties.
Do Dyslexia Specialists Diagnose Autism?
No. Dyslexia Specialists do not assess for or diagnose autism. Their role is to identify dyslexia and related learning differences and provide information that may contribute to a broader understanding of an individual's needs.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Where appropriate, recommendations may be provided to support literacy development, educational planning and access to suitable learning strategies and accommodations.