Autism diagnostic service delivered on behalf of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Today's the day
Many families feel anxious about today – that’s completely normal. There’s no test, and nothing for your child to get right. The purpose of today is simply to understand your child’s development, strengths, and where they may need support.
Please check in at reception when you arrive.
Your date, time and which location to attend are in the appointment letter and email we sent you – please check those, as they’re different for every family.
Bring the following with you:
- Red development book, if you have it
- Any old reports or records (school, SALT, CAMHS, EHCP, previous assessments)
- Your notes and questions
- A comfort item or fidget for your child
- Snacks and a drink
When you arrive, check in at reception and let them know you’re here for an autism assessment with HG Mind Works; your clinician’s name is in your letter.
Assessments take place at one of our two locations. You’ll have been told which one in your appointment letter.
Kesgrave WM Community Centre
Address:
Sports Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP5 1JF
Phone Number:
Directions:
Easily accessible from A14 and A12 main roads.
Also benefits from a bus stop outside the main entrance where the 66 bus stops regularly from Martlesham and Ipswich rail station.
Active Business Centre
Address:
St Andrews Castle, 33 St Andrew’s Street S, Bury Saint Edmunds, IP33 3PH
Phone Number:
Directions:
The main entrance on St Andrew’s Street South is shared with that of St Benedict’s Catholic School – Turn in through the gated entrance and take the right-hand fork, up the drive to the car park and Reception.
NB: SatNav users should enter the address – 33 St Andrew’s Street South, NOT the postcode which will direct you in to Old Convent Orchard (adjacent to St Andrew’s Castle).
If you're running late or need to cancel
If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible so we can advise you.
If you cannot attend, let us know as early as possible and we’ll offer you an alternative, usually within a few days.
Please note that missed appointments may result in your referral being returned to West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust – which could mean a new referral and a further wait.
The shape of today
Today has three parts – a brief health check, your conversation with us and a separate session for your child. They run one after the other or sometimes overlap. Here’s the shape of the day:
You arrive
Check in at reception for your autism assessment appointment (your clinician's name is in your letter).
Your child's health check
A routine physical assessment to identify any medical, developmental, genetic or neurological factors that may be relevant to your child's needs and overall care.
Your conversation (the ADI-R)
One of our clinicians will sit with you to talk through your child's development. Your child can be with you.
Your child's session (the ADOS-2)
Your child will then spend time with our specialists doing activities, games and conversation.
You go home
The team reviews everything before confirming any outcome, and we'll arrange your feedback video appointment.
What to expect
A clinician will sit with you and talk through your child’s development from the very beginning right up to now. This is called the ADI-R. It’s a relaxed conversation – not an interview. There are no right or wrong answers.
The conversation will cover things like early milestones, how your child plays and communicates, how they get on with other children and how they manage day to day at home and school. It usually takes between one to one and and a half hours.
Your child can be in the room and there will be a second clinician there to listen in and keep them entertained.
Can’t remember every detail? That’s completely fine.
The clinician will guide you gently. You won’t be expected to have perfect recall.
If you’ve brought notes or any reports from school, this is a good time to have them ready.
Your childs session
Your child will spend time with our specialists doing activities, games and chatting. This is called the ADOS-2. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), is a standardised assessment tool used as part of autism diagnostic pathways.
It is not a test. There are no right or wrong answers. Your child cannot pass or fail. The activities are tailored to their age and how they communicate – they might involve toys, books, puzzles, pretend play or just having a chat.
For some children, we ask parents to leave the room during the session. This is because children often respond differently when a parent is in the room – and we need to see your child’s natural responses. If your child needs you there to feel safe, please let the clinician know so appropriate arrangements can be made.
If you stay in the room
If you do stay in the room – for a younger or more anxious child – we may ask you to sit to the side and not join in. This isn’t a reflection on you. It’s so we can observe your child’s natural reactions.
Video recording
We will ask your permission to film the session on MS Teams. This helps the clinicians score the assessment accurately afterwards and won’t be shared outside the team. You can say no – it won’t affect the assessment at all.
Focus for Today: Do's and Don'ts
Please DO
- Bring snacks and drinks for your child (no nuts)
- Bring a comfort or fidget item if your child uses one
- Let your child wear familiar, comfortable clothing
- Tell us about any sensory needs when you arrive
- Let us know about any medication your child has taken today
- Tell us if your child is unwell or unusually tired
Please DON'T
- Don't coach your child on what to say or do
- Don't try to help your child during their session if you're in the room
- Don't worry if your child refuses or struggles - that's still useful information for us
- Don't bring other children if you can avoid it; if you must, please bring another adult to supervise them so you can focus
If your child becomes upset, overwhelmed or refuses to engage, that's completely okay - it's a common part of assessment, and the clinician will go at your child's pace.
Meet the team
Your child will be in experienced hands. Our assessments are carried out by clinicians who specialise in children’s neurodevelopmental assessment and are trained in the gold-standard tools used nationally – the ADOS-2 and ADI-R.
Every diagnosis is reviewed and agreed by the wider team together, never by one person alone, and signed off by a senior doctor, in line with NICE guidance. Here are some of the people who may be involved in your child’s assessment:
After you leave today
Today is the information-gathering part.
Our multidisciplinary team reviews everything in line with NICE guidance before any outcome is confirmed – usually within 14-21 days.
We’ll then arrange a separate feedback appointment, followed by a written report.
You will not receive an outcome on the day of assessment.
For what the outcome stages involve, see the “After feedback” guide.
Assessment Day FAQs
Information about appointments, assessment structure, reports and what to expect from the process.
Who is HG Mind Works?
HG Mind Works is a CQC-registered provider of neurodevelopmental assessment services. We have been commissioned by West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to deliver autism assessments for children and young people currently on the Trust’s waiting list. Our clinicians are experienced specialists in childhood neurodevelopmental conditions, and all assessments are carried out in line with NICE guidance (CG128: Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s).
Why is my child's assessment being carried out by HG Mind Works rather than the NHS Trust directly?
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has partnered with us to reduce waiting times for autism assessments. Your child’s care remains under the NHS. We deliver the assessment on the Trust’s behalf, to the same clinical standards, and the outcome is shared with the Trust and your GP in the usual way.
Is there any cost to families?
No. This service is fully NHS-funded. There is no charge to you at any stage.
Can I refer my child to this service?
No. This service is for children and young people who are already on the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust waiting list for an autism assessment. We are unable to accept self-referrals or new referrals directly. If you believe your child may need an assessment, please speak to your GP, health visitor or school SENCO in the first instance.
How will I know if my child has been allocated to this service?
You will be contacted directly, by letter and telephone with details of your child’s appointments. If you have any questions about whether your child is included, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.
Can I decline and stay with the Trust?
Yes. Taking part is your choice. If you would prefer your child to remain on the Trust’s waiting list, please let us know and your child will be referred back to West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
What does the assessment involve?
The assessment follows NICE guidance and uses internationally recognised diagnostic tools, including:
- Basic health check
- ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), a structured, play-based or conversation-based session with your child
- ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised), a detailed interview with you as the parent or carer about your child’s development and history.
We will also review existing information such as school reports, previous health records and any questionnaires we ask you to complete in advance.
Is the assessment face to face?
Yes. The clinical assessment is carried out in person. The parent or carer interview will also be carried out in person on the same day. We will confirm the arrangements for your child when we book the appointment.
Who will carry out the assessment?
Your child will be assessed by experienced clinicians working as a pair, which will include a clinical psychologist and specialist nurse. Every diagnostic decision is reviewed and agreed by a multidisciplinary team, including a senior psychiatric doctor, before the outcome is confirmed. Where clinically indicated, a speech and language therapy assessment will also be arranged.
Will my child see a speech and language therapist?
Where the assessment identifies a clinical need, a speech and language therapy (SaLT) assessment will be arranged as part of the diagnostic process, in line with NICE guidance. This helps the team understand your child’s communication profile in more depth. If the SaLT assessment identifies areas where support would help, the report will set out clear recommendations for speech and language intervention, including onward referral where appropriate. There is no additional cost to you for any SaLT input provided as part of this service.
How long does the assessment take?
The face-to-face assessment session typically lasts between one and three hours, depending on your child’s age and needs. The full assessment process, including the parent interview and information gathering, takes place on the same visit.
How should I prepare my child?
We will send you information in advance explaining what to expect, written for parents / Carers and where appropriate, for the young person themselves. You can also review information here. You know your child best: tell us about anything that will help the appointment go smoothly, such as sensory sensitivities, communication preferences, or things that help your child feel comfortable. Your child can bring a familiar item with them.
What if my child cannot attend the appointment?
Please contact us as soon as possible so we can rearrange. We understand that children have good days and bad days, and we will do our best to be flexible.
When will we get the outcome?
The outcome is confirmed once the multidisciplinary team has reviewed all the assessment information. You will receive a full written report explaining the findings, the outcome and recommendations. We will share this with you, your GP and West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. A feedback video session will be scheduled to help you understand the report.
What happens if my child receives an autism diagnosis?
The report will include recommendations to support your child at home, in education and in the community, along with signposting to local and national support services. The diagnosis will be shared with your GP and the Trust so that any ongoing NHS care continues seamlessly.
What happens if my child does not receive a diagnosis?
Not every child assessed will meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis. If this is the case, the report will explain why and will include recommendations for any other support or onward referrals that may help, based on what the assessment found. This can be discussed in the follow up session with the clinicians in more detail.
Does a diagnosis affect school support or an EHCP?
A diagnosis can help schools and local authorities understand your child’s needs, but support in education is based on need, not diagnosis alone. Our report can be shared with your child’s school or used as evidence within an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process if you choose.
How is my child's information handled?
We handle all personal and health information in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and NHS information governance standards. Information is shared only with those involved in your child’s care, including West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and your GP, under a formal data sharing agreement. Our full privacy notice is available here.
Is HG Mind Works regulated?
Yes. HG Mind Works Ltd is registered with the Care Quality Commission · Provider ID: 1-25757603783 and operates under the same clinical governance, safeguarding, and quality standards expected of any NHS-commissioned provider.
Who do I contact with questions or concerns?
You can contact our service team on 02081268767 option 3 or westsuffolk@hg-mindworks.com, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For complaints, please contact the Integrated Community Paediatric Services team or West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
What if my child needs urgent help?
This service does not provide urgent or crisis care. If you are worried about your child’s immediate safety or mental health, contact your GP, call NHS 111 or in an emergency call 999.
Getting ready
Before assessment day
What the assessment is, who you’ll meet, how to prepare and how to talk to your child about it.
After feedback
After Assessment day
Understanding the outcome, talking to your child about a diagnosis, and where to find support next.
Anytime
Resources & FAQs
Common questions, support organisations, and answers you can come back to whenever you need them.
Registered with the Care Quality Commission · Provider ID: 1-25757603783
