How are children and young people assessed for autism?

Use this guide to learn how young people and children are assessed for autism.

Referrals

Children aged 0-18 years old will need an initial referral to the Community Paediatric Team at the Mary Sheridan Centre, for a preschool or school age assessment by a paediatric doctor.

The Community Paediatric Team accepts referrals from:

  • GPs
  • schools
  • child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and other agencies such as social care.

If the Community Paediatric Team has concerns based on their assessment and the consented information available from the team that referred the case, then they will refer the child or young person to the Lambeth Autism and Related Disorders Service (ARDS).

The ARDS team will only accepts direct referrals from the: