Autism and PDA Assessment for Children and Young People
EPIC offers consultant-led autism and PDA assessment for children, young people and young adults from across Devon and the South West. Our assessments go beyond the diagnosis itself to build a detailed picture of each individual’s neurodevelopmental profile, so we can recommend the support, adaptations and interventions that will make the biggest difference.
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is often referred to as a spectrum as it impacts everyone differently. Autism is characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and with restricted or repetitive thinking patterns or behaviours. Autistic individuals may communicate, behave, learn, relate, and interact in different ways compared to their peers. They may experience associated anxiety, emotional dysregulation and sensory processing differences.
What is PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)?
PDA is understood as a profile within the autism spectrum, with high levels of anxiety and avoidance of everyday demands, including the use of ‘social’ strategies. The presentation can therefore look different to more typical autism. Understanding this profile can be important to inform the most appropriate support strategies.
How do we assess for autism?
All assessments for autism follow and are informed by the initial assessment with one of our consultants or senior clinicians. There is no single test for autism. Information is gathered from various sources, using a range of assessment tools, to build a clear picture of a child or young person’s neurodevelopmental profile.
Components of our autism assessment
- Cognitive Assessment
- Developmental History
- Questionnaires completed by parents and carers
- Questionnaires completed by the school or education setting
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
How do we assess for PDA?
Our autism assessment can be extended to include a Coventry Grid assessment and demand avoidance questionnaires to explore and identify a PDA profile.
Information on the individual components of assessment and what to expect is available from our administration team on request.
What is the outcome?
All of our assessments include a feedback appointment with the consultant or senior clinician to discuss the findings. Recognising and understanding autism, with or without PDA, is important for providing appropriate support, adaptations and interventions where needed. A full written report with recommendations is provided.
How much does it cost?
- Autism / ASD assessment — £2,100
- Further assessment of PDA profile — £600
- Combined autism / ASD and ADHD / ADD assessment — £2,700
Please see our costs explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no or minimal wait for our private autism assessment, compared to longer NHS waiting lists or the 14+ week wait under the NHS Right to Choose pathway.
Yes. We offer a combined autism / ASD and ADHD / ADD assessment at £2,700, which is more cost-effective than booking the two assessments separately.
Our autism assessment includes cognitive assessment, developmental history, questionnaires completed by parents and carers and the school or education setting, and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
Our autism assessment can be extended to include a Coventry Grid assessment and demand avoidance questionnaires to explore and identify a PDA profile.
Every assessment includes a feedback appointment with the consultant or senior clinician to discuss the findings. You’ll also receive a full written report with personalised recommendations for support, adaptations and interventions.
Related Services
- Initial Assessments — the consultant-led first appointment that all our assessment pathways begin with
- ADHD Assessment — often assessed alongside autism
- Right to Choose Autism Pathway — NHS-funded autism assessment for ages 8–18
- Costs Explained — what’s included in our pricing and why