Autism Diagnostic AssessmentsÂ
Clear, thorough asessments for adults & young children
Autism Routemap provides gold standard autism diagnostic assessments for adults (18+ years) and children (5 years and under) in conjunction with D.A.T.SÂ
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Contact: [email protected]Understanding whether autism is part of your experience can be an important step. A diagnostic assessment can offer clarity, validation and a stronger foundation for next steps - whether that's support, adjustments or simply understanding yourself better.
Our autism assessments are carried out by Linda Philips and Dr Rios from DATS, both highly experienced clinicians with over 25 years of diagnostic experience. Â
 Who Assessments are For
You may be seeking an assessment because:
- You or your child show autistic traits and you want clarity
- You want to better understand lifelong patterns or differences
- Previous support / diagnosis hasn't quite fitted
- You are seeking access to appropriate services or accommodations
- You want a clear, professional opinion you can trustÂ
Whether you are exploring this for your child, a family member or for yourself, we aim to make the process clear, respectful and supportive.
Our Assessment Approach
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We use gold standard diagnostic tools alongside clinical expertise and careful observation to provide a thorough and reliable assessment.
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Together, these tools provide a robust, internationally recognised framework for diagnosis.
1. ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - 2nd Edition)
The ADOS-2 is a structured interactive assessment that looks at:
- Communication and social interaction
- Use of language and non-verbal communication
- Imaginative thinking
- Patterns of behaviour
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It involves guided activities and conversations designed to understand how a person communicates and relates in real time. Different modules cater for different ages and abilities making it suitable for children and adults.
2. ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Review - Revised)
The ADI-R is a detailed developmental interview usually completed with:
- A parent or caregiver (for children)
- Someone who knows the person well from early childhood e.g. parent, relative, long-term friend (for adults)Â
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It is a lengthy interview that explores early development, communication, social understanding and behaviour patterns across time.
3. Supporting Information
Supporting information may include:
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- Questionairres to be filled in by the individual (where appropriate) and others (e.g. parent, teacher, friend)
- Requested background information
- Reports that you consider relevant to the diagnostic assessment
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This information is requested prior to your appointment to ensure that the clinicians have a large body of information to inform clinical opinion in addition to other diagnostic tools.
What You Can ExpectÂ
- A thorough, professional diagnostic assessment
- Conducted by highly experienced, empathetic clinicians
- Use of gold standard diagnostic tools (ADOS-2 + ADI-R)
- Time for you to ask questions
- Thoughtful explanation of findings
- A clear, detailed, quality report delivered expediently
- Signposting to relevant services and support options
We take the time to ensure that people feel heard, respected and understood throughout the process. We pride ourselves in delivering high quality assessments with the user at the forefront of all we do.
Taking the next step
If you are considering an autism assessment for yourself, a family member or your child and would like to understand whether this service is right for you, we invite you to get in touch.
About us
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Linda Philips MSc Human Communication
Speech and Language Therapist
Linda Philips is a highly experienced clinician with over 25 years’ experience in autism assessment and support. She is a registered Speech and Language Therapist with a Master’s degree in Human Communication and has worked extensively within tertiary NHS services, alongside a wide range of multidisciplinary teams.
Throughout her career, Linda has been involved in complex diagnostic work with both adults and young children, bringing together clinical expertise, careful observation and deep understanding of communication differences. She is known for her thoughtful, empathetic approach, ensuring people feel listened to, respected and supported throughout the assessment process.
Linda’s assessments are thorough, ethical and person-centred, combining gold-standard diagnostic tools with clinical judgement and clear, accessible reporting. Her aim is not only to provide an accurate diagnosis, but to help individuals and families gain clarity, understanding and a strong foundation for next steps.
Dr Patricia Rios MSc DClin Psych AFBPSs CSci
Consultant Clinical PsychologistÂ
Dr Patricia Rios is an Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital and national and international accredited trainer for the ADI-R and ADOS-2. She has been clinical director of DATS (the precursor company to The Assessment Team) for 10 years building a reputation in private Autism and ADHD assessment in Hertfordshire. Her special interest is in providing multidisciplinary assessment to children and young people presenting with neurodevelopmental conditions and their co-morbidities.
Dr Patricia Rios has over 30 years’ experience in working with families and their children with neurodevelopmental presentations. She is actively involved in teaching and supervising the ADI-R and ADOS-2 within the NHS and privately nationally and internationally. She has been trained in PEERS - Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills and Socially Thinking methodology and uses these approaches in delivering psycho-education workshops and treatment in the NHS and independent sectors. She also practices under DATS for Autism assessments of toddlers and adults.