Autism diagnostic service delivered on behalf of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
After your child's assessment
The outcome of your child’s assessment is explained in your feedback meeting and set out in the written report you’ll receive. This page is here to help you make sense of it – and to point you towards support, whatever the outcome.
There’s no rush. Read what’s useful to you now, and come back to the rest whenever you need it. If anything is unclear, please get in touch or speak to your child’s clinician.
There’s no right or wrong way to feel
Receiving the outcome of an assessment – whatever it is – can bring up a lot of emotions. Relief. Sadness. Confusion. Numbness. Sometimes all of those at once, or none of them.
Many parents describe the journey to this point as long and exhausting. Some feel real relief when an outcome finally puts words to something they’ve sensed for a long time. Others feel grief – for the future they’d imagined, or for challenges they hadn’t fully anticipated. Some feel shocked even when they expected the outcome. Whatever is coming up for you is valid. You don’t need to have it all together right now.
“A diagnosis doesn’t change who your child is. It gives you a better map for understanding them.”
Give yourself time. Be kind to yourself. Lean on the people around you. And if you’re struggling, please reach out – to your GP, to one of the organisations listed further down this page, or to us.
PART A
If your child has received a diagnosis of autism
What the diagnosis means
A diagnosis of autism means the clinical team found clear evidence of autism in both key areas – how your child communicates and connects with people, and the patterns and routines that are part of how they experience the world. The evidence met the internationally agreed criteria (DSM-5 or ICD-11) for a diagnosis.
The diagnosis is not a sentence and it’s not a ceiling. It’s a description of how your child’s brain is wired. It explains why certain things are harder for them – and often why certain things come more easily too.
Autism is a spectrum. That means it looks different in every person. There’s no single ‘type’ of autistic person – some need significant support in daily life, others are largely independent, and most are somewhere in between. Your child’s report describes their individual profile, unique to them.
What about causes? Autism isn’t caused by anything a parent did or didn’t do, and it isn’t caused by vaccines. It arises from a complex combination of genetic and developmental factors. Autistic traits often run in families, so you may recognise some in yourself or other relatives.
Your child’s strengths
It’s natural to focus on the challenges, but autistic children often have real strengths too. These are individual, but commonly include:
- A strong sense of honesty and fairness
- Deep focus when something captures their interest
- Excellent memory and attention to detail
- Creative and original thinking
- Loyalty and sincerity in relationships
- A unique and refreshing way of seeing the world
Things that are not true about autism
There is a lot of misinformation about autism online and in wider culture. Here are some of the most common myths – and the reality.
Myth
Autism is caused by bad parenting or vaccines.
Reality
Neither is true. Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, unrelated to parenting. The vaccine claim has been thoroughly debunked by decades of research.
Myth
Autism is something to be cured or fixed.
Reality
Autism is not an illness. It’s a different way the brain develops and works. Support aims to help autistic people thrive, not to erase who they are.
Myth
All autistic people are the same.
Reality
Autism is a spectrum. No two autistic people are identical. The diagnosis is a starting point for understanding your child, not a label that defines them.
Myth
Autistic children don’t want friendships or connections.
Reality
Most autistic people want meaningful relationships very much. They may connect and communicate differently, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel deeply or care about others.
Myth
A diagnosis means a difficult life ahead.
Reality
Many autistic people live happy, fulfilling, and successful lives. With the right understanding and support, your child can flourish.
Other conditions that sometimes go alongside autism
Sometimes the team identifies other conditions alongside autism. This doesn’t mean anything was missed earlier – it’s simply how neurodevelopmental differences tend to cluster. Your child’s report will note anything the team identified.
ADHD
Anxiety
Sensory processing differences
Sleep difficulties
Dyspraxia / DCD
OCD
Learning differences
If you have concerns about any of these areas, speak to your GP or your child’s SENCO as a first step.
Talking to your child about their diagnosis
Most autistic children benefit from knowing. Research and the experience of autistic adults strongly suggest that children who understand their diagnosis tend to have better self-esteem, better mental health, and more self-advocacy as they grow up.
Children often know they’re different before the diagnosis – they just don’t know why. A diagnosis can be a relief: it gives them language for their own experience and helps them understand that the things they find hard are not their fault.
There’s no single right way. Some families have an open conversation early; others introduce it gradually. What matters most is that it’s presented positively and honestly – using language your child understands, leading with strengths before challenges, explaining that their brain works differently rather than something being wrong, letting them ask questions in their own time, and revisiting the conversation as they grow.
For younger children (5–8)
“Your brain is a bit different from some other people’s brains. That means some things are harder for you, like loud places or when plans change. But it also means you notice and remember things other people miss. The doctors have a name for how your brain works – it’s called autism.”
For older children (9–11)
“The assessment found that you’re autistic. That means your brain processes the world differently. It explains why certain things are harder for you, and why you’re brilliant at other things. It’s not something wrong with you – it’s just how you’re wired. And now we know, we can get you better support.”
Telling others
Who you tell is entirely your choice. Many families find it helpful to tell close family – particularly siblings, who may have noticed differences. Telling your child’s school is usually a good idea, as the SENCO can put support in place more effectively with the diagnosis. But you don’t have to tell everyone: your child’s diagnosis is private, and you’re in control of it.
Getting support
You don’t need to do everything at once. The most important thing right now is to look after yourself and your family. When you’re ready, here is where to start.
WSFT post-diagnosis appointment
Your child’s school and SENCO
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Your GP
Local authority children’s services
Looking after yourself
Caring for an autistic child can be deeply rewarding and also genuinely demanding. You need support too – don’t wait until you’re struggling to ask for it.
- Talk to people you trust - friends, family, or other parents in similar situations
- Connect with local or online support groups - other parents who understand can be invaluable
- Use respite care if it’s available and you need a break - that's not giving up, it’s good sense
- Speak to your GP if you are finding things hard - your wellbeing matters
PART B
If your child did not receive a diagnosis of autism
What it means
Not every child who goes through an autism assessment receives a diagnosis – and that’s not a failure, and it doesn’t mean the assessment was a waste of time.
Your child’s clinician will have explained the specific findings at your feedback meeting, and the written report sets these out clearly.
There are several reasons a child may not receive a diagnosis
- The evidence gathered did not meet the full criteria for an autism diagnosis
- The difficulties observed may be better explained by another condition or set of circumstances
- Some children show some autistic traits, but not at a level that meets the diagnostic threshold
- The picture may not yet be complete - occasionally further information or a re-assessment is recommended
Your child’s difficulties are still real
Not having a diagnosis does not mean your child has no difficulties. Whatever has been causing concern – at home, at school, or in daily life – is still real and still worth addressing. The report will include any recommendations the team has for next steps, further assessment or support.
What to do next if there is no diagnosis
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If you disagree with the outcome
If you feel the outcome doesn’t reflect your child, you’re entitled to ask questions and seek a second opinion. Please speak to us first – we can explain the reasoning behind the conclusion. You can also ask your GP to explore other routes.
Where else to find help
Some of these are relevant whatever the outcome; others are more specific to families who’ve received a diagnosis.
National Autistic Society
autism.org.uk | 0808 800 4104
Ambitious About Autism
ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk
Contact
contact.org.uk
IPSEA
ipsea.org.uk
Suffolk Family Carers
suffolkfamilycarers.org
Autism Anglia
autism-anglia.org.uk
NHS
nhs.uk/conditions/autism
Any questions?
If anything on this page is unclear, please get in touch – we’re always happy to help.
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.
Today's the day
On assessment day
Everything you need to know for today, including where to go, what to bring and how the day will flow.
Anytime
Resources & FAQs
Common questions, support organisations, and answers you can come back to whenever you need them.
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