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Renolda Antonyrajah – Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Renolda is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who has broad experience working with children and families from different cultural backgrounds.
In this video, she gives us three top tips for communicating with autistic children.
Tip one
So first tip would be the interest that you show. You should be interested in what they are doing. You need to show that you are interested in the child actively being able to connect to you. Connecting with children with autism is very important because they sometimes can’t connect with everybody, and the number of people that they can connect with is limited because of their differences. So you are the best person to connect with children and to make them happy and helpful.
Tip two
Tip two is giving choices. There are many ways that you can give choices, so you can actually use objects to give choices. So she can have crisps or play with the toy. ‘Do you want crisps or a toy?’ So the child might look at the crisps or reach for the crisps, or point at the crisps if they want crisps. So this is my favourite, so I’ll always go for that one. Then you would actually respond to their communicative action. Say ‘Oh crisps?’ So I will exaggerate how I say the word and use my facial expression to make sure that the child is actually motivated by my talking and to have the crisps as well.
Another tip when giving choices is show and tell. You show and tell ‘crisps’. The reason is that sometimes children with Autism can’t process two forms of information at the same time. Show is visual information, and tell is auditory information. So if you separate that into a little interval, it’s easy for the child to see what it is and figure it out. And then. Oh, that means ‘crisps’.
If you give two items of the same category, something like chicken and crisps. Sometimes they want both. They like crisps and chicken, and they can’t make a choice. In that case, I would go back to two different objects from two different categories. So this is a toy. This is a food item, a pencil or crisps.
So you would always show and name the item before you ask them to choose.
Tip three
Always be a detective with your children. Being a detective means looking at their actions and listening to their words and saying ‘Does it make any sense?’ Is it meaningful? If a child is actually pulling you, if he could talk, what words would he say? He might say, “Come, mummy”. Keep those words. So, for example, if a child is following you to get to something that they want, you might say ‘Come, come mummy’. So that is a very useful phrase for a child to learn to get your attention.
If the child is standing next to the door and wants to go out. What would he say? Just respond to his communicative action and say, ‘Go out? Go out? Oh no. It’s raining.’ So respond and give words or phrases that the child may need to talk or tell, and use your gestures as well. Like ‘Want to go? Want to go?’ So you’re giving more information for the child to learn with the gesture, the visual gesture and talking, and you’re with him as well. So that’s my third tip.
So interpret his actions and words, and also listen to his words. He may say ‘jus jus’. Maybe that means juice? Is he actually saying ‘jus jus’ whenever he wants a juice? Then that’s the word for him. That’s a meaningful word for that child. Interpret it and correct it directly saying ‘It’s juice. Want juice? Rather than saying ‘That’s not jus. Say juice, Say juice’. So model language as the child needs to speak.
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FAQs
How long is the wait time for a children's private autism assessment?
For private assessments, we aim to arrange a pre-assessment with a Specialist Doctor within 72 hours. If a full autism assessment is recommended, all appointments are typically completed within 4 weeks. Some delays may occur for example if the educational placement is closed during the holiday period. A comprehensive report, including a diagnosis where appropriate, is usually delivered within 10 days of your final appointment.
If you are referred through your NHS Trust, timelines are similar, although this can vary depending on local demand.
Do I need a GP referral for a private autism assessment?
No, you do not need a GP referral to access our private autism assessment service. Your first step is a consultation with one of our Specialist Doctors, all of whom also work within the NHS. They will discuss your child’s needs, development, and any concerns you or their school may have. If appropriate, you will be offered a short video consultation to review your child’s needs in more detail and decide whether to proceed with a full assessment.
What is included in a private autism assessment?
A private autism assessment at Autism Clinic London includes a detailed developmental history, clinical observations, and a structured diagnostic ADOS assessment. Input from parents, caregivers, and educational placements may also be included to ensure a complete understanding of your child’s needs. All of our reports mirror those you would receive from an NHS assessment.
How much does a private autism assessment cost in the UK?
The cost of a private autism assessment varies depending on the provider and the complexity of the assessment. To compare costs from other providers our costs cover the initial consultation, full diagnostic assessment, and a detailed written report. Mostly, you will be charged over £2,000 with some private clinics charging up to £3,500. We work hard to deliver our assessments at a lower rate than most of the market without compromising on quality. For example, some providers will assess your child without meeting them face-to-face. We believe that for an assessment to be thorough, we have to see your child in person.
Is a private autism diagnosis recognised by the NHS and schools?
Yes, a private autism diagnosis carried out by Autism Clinic London is recognised by schools, the NHS and local authorities. All our assessments are carried out by our multi-disciplinary team who follow NICE guidelines.
Many schools and local authorities accept private reports to support EHCP applications and access to support services.
Do you do assessments for ADHD?
Although our clinicians do carry out ADHD assessments in their NHS practice, we do not currently offer ADHD assessments at Autism Clinic London. Our Autism Assessments do include a comprehensive report and will highlight if there are possible ADHD concerns, which can then be explored in future by your child’s local NHS trust or by another provider.
What age can a child be diagnosed with autism?
Children can be assessed for autism from around 18 months onwards. Early diagnosis can help children access the right support sooner, improving long-term outcomes. We see children aged between 2 and 14 years.
What are the signs that my child may need an autism assessment?
How accurate is a private autism assessment?
Private autism assessments are highly accurate when conducted by experienced clinicians using evidence-based diagnostic tools and NICE guidelines. The quality of the assessment depends on the expertise of the professionals involved and the thoroughness of the process. We are regulated, inspected and rated by CQC which ensures that you can depend on the quality of our assessments.
What happens after an autism diagnosis?
Can adults get a private autism assessment too?
Yes, many private services offer autism assessments for adults as well as children. The process is similar but tailored to adult experiences, including work, relationships, and mental health history. We are a specialist clinic that only assesses children.
Is a private autism assessment faster than the NHS?
Yes, private assessments are significantly faster. While NHS waiting lists can often exceed 12–24 months, a private assessment at Autism Clinic London will typically be completed within four weeks.
Will schools accept a private autism assessment report?
Schools should accept private autism assessment reports, particularly when completed by qualified clinicians who follow NICE guidelines. These reports can be used to support SEN planning and requests for additional support.
Can I use a private diagnosis to apply for an EHCP?
Yes, a private diagnosis can support an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) application. The report provides professional evidence of your child’s needs and recommended support.
What is the difference between screening and a full autism assessment?
A screening is an initial check to see whether autism may be present, while a full assessment is a comprehensive diagnostic process that can lead to a formal diagnosis. If you are concerned that your child has signs of Autism, please contact us and we can arrange an initial assessment in the first instance.
Do you offer online only autism assessments?
Some parts of the assessment process, such as initial consultations and diagnostic interviews with parent or carer, can be carried out online. However, a full diagnostic assessment will require in-person observation. Other providers may offer fully virtual assessments but such assessments do not meet our standards.
Why is an autism diagnosis important?
An autism diagnosis helps individuals and families understand their experiences, access appropriate support, and make informed decisions about education, healthcare, and daily life.
Does an autism diagnosis change anything?
A diagnosis doesn’t change who your child is, but it can open doors to support, reduce uncertainty, and provide clarity for families and professionals. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis, you can also access appropriate and targeted post-diagnostic care, which can help day-to-day life enormously.
Can a diagnosis help at school?
Yes, a diagnosis can help schools better understand your child’s needs and provide appropriate support, accommodations, and learning strategies. It can help inform an EHCP and a more complete approach to your child's educational needs.
