Healios standard autism pathway

Welcome to Healios

How the Healios assessment process works

Healios standard autism pathway

1. Initial session

2. Observation session

3. Review and next steps

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Please have your ID ready at the start of all sessions. More info here.

Welcome to Healios

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This welcome pack gives you all the information that you need to know about the Healios assessment process. It'll tell you what to expect at each stage of the process and what you and your child need to do to prepare for each session. We understand that this may be an emotional step for you and your family. We want to assure you that our team is dedicated to providing a supportive, informative and enjoyable experience. The purpose of the assessment is to gain a better understanding of your child’s unique strengths and challenges. Our team of experienced clinicians will work together with you to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for your child. We look forward to meeting with you and your child soon!

The Healios assessment process

You'll be offered a minimum of three sessions and meet with two clinicians from different professional backgrounds. If you have additional needs, we will adjust to meet them. Your child’s school (or an adult that's not in your family but knows you well) will also be contacted and asked to complete a questionnaire. We'll walk through each of the three sessions in this welcome pack so that you know what to expect and what you need to do to prepare.

Initial session

Typically 2.5 hours*

Parent(s)/guardian only or parent and young person, when appropriate.

In the initial session, you'll have the chance to meet your lead clinicians. You'll be asked questions about your child’s early development as well as having a chance to discuss some of your current concerns or information that has led to your assessment. The clinician will ask about your child's interests, friendships, how they interact with others and how they experience the world. We encourage young people ages 12 years and older to also attend this session, but parents should consider how helpful this will be, for example, if the young person is likely to find discussing their challenges or focusing for a long period of time distressing, then they do not need to attend. The insights you have into your child, their preferences, experiences and milestones are invaluable to us and we encourage you to share as much as possible with us, during this session. There are some questionaires that you are required to complete ahead of the session. As part of our safeguarding policy, we’ll review the risk-assessment screening questions you answered, to see if anything has changed. The clinician will then give you some further guidance about what to expect in the observation session with your child. You'll be asked to prepare a number of items to bring to your next session.

Please have your ID ready at the start of all sessions. More info here.

Observation session

Typically 1 hour*

Child attends alone. Parent(s)/guardian(s) can remain close by.

Preparation required

The observation session is for the young person only, however it's important that a responsible adult remains in the house whilst the session is taking place. The clinician will introduce a number of different, fun activities for your child using both your prepared items and some that they provide. Please gather five random - but similarly sized - household objects for this part of the session. We've created this short video to show you how to prepare for this session.

Preparation checklist

Download the checklist

Please have your ID ready at the start of all sessions. More info here.

Review and next steps

Once we've gathered all the information, our multi-disciplinary team will meet to review everything, discuss and decide whether a diagnosis of autism is the best fit for your child. You’ll be contacted with the outcome of the assessment and a detailed report of all the findings will be shared. You'll be offered a follow-up feedback session which will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and to explore some recommendations and strategies that may be helpful for you as a family. We understand that this journey may raise questions or emotions, and we want you to know that our team is here to help and support you. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns leading up to the assessment. We're here to support you and your child every step of the way.

Updating or amending information in your clinical record

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Technical guidance

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• A selection of your child’s favourite toys:
• Put some in containers that they will need your help to open, or up on high shelves they need your help to reach. Don’t include phones, tablets or other devices.
• Some fun games or activities that your child enjoys, and which encourage you and your child to interact (e.g. Jenga, snap, wind-up toy, short story book, ball or balloon).
• Five small items:
• Two small play items such as a small animal and dolls furniture.
• Three random but similarly sized household objects.
• A choice of two snacks

Preparation checklist