Autism Assessments for Children and Adults in Manchester
NICE-compliant autism assessments, within easy reach of Manchester.
Comprehensive autism assessments for children, young people and adults at our Warrington clinic, just a short journey from Manchester via the M602 and M62.
A trusted choice for Manchester families
AYC Psychology is proud to be a National Autistic Society (NAS) Diagnostic Partner and part of the NAS Community of Practice, working alongside other recognised diagnostic services across the UK. We are currently the only NAS Diagnostic Partner and Community of Practice member in the North of England, reflecting our commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based, NICE-compliant autism assessments.
Many children, young people, adults and families choose to travel from Manchester and across Greater Manchester because of our experienced multidisciplinary team, neuro-affirmative approach, and the quality and credibility of our assessments and reports.
A thorough, evidence-based assessment
A respectful, collaborative process.
Our multidisciplinary assessment pathway follows National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and is designed to provide a thorough, evidence-based understanding of each individual’s strengths and needs, supported by a detailed, person-centred report.
Developmental History Questionnaire
Once you’ve booked your assessment, we’ll provide everything you need to prepare, including a Developmental History Questionnaire and other questionnaires to help us understand your or your child’s experiences before the appointment. If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help.
Speech & Language Review
Our Speech and Language Therapist reviews every Developmental History Questionnaire and may contact you if any further information about communication or language development would be helpful.
The Face to Face Assessment (ADOS-2)
During your face-to-face appointment, two clinicians complete a comprehensive assessment using recognised, standardised assessment tools, including the ADOS-2, alongside clinical observations and discussions. For children, we also gather information from school to help us understand how they present across different environments, although we recognise that some autistic children mask their differences at school, so this is only one part of the overall assessment.
Multidisciplinary Team Review
Following the assessment, our multidisciplinary team reviews all of the information gathered before reaching a multidisciplinary clinical opinion regarding diagnosis.
Feedback & Report
You’ll receive feedback on the outcome and a comprehensive written report, usually within four to six weeks. The report can support conversations with schools, universities, employers, local authorities and healthcare professionals.
Why Manchester families choose AYC
Choosing quality, not just convenience.
Choosing an autism assessment isn’t simply about finding the nearest provider. It’s about choosing a service you can trust to deliver a thorough, evidence-based assessment that provides a clear understanding of you or your child, together with practical recommendations and a comprehensive report.
NAS Diagnostic Partner
National Recognition
As the only National Autistic Society (NAS) Diagnostic Partner and Community of Practice member in the North of England, we provide high-quality, neuro-affirmative autism assessments informed by national best practice.
Experienced Multidisciplinary Team
Clinical Psychology, OT & SaLT
Our team includes Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists, ensuring every assessment considers communication, sensory processing, cognition and emotional wellbeing, not simply observable behaviour.
Comprehensive Reports
NICE-Compliant & Evidence-Based
Our reports are completed by suitably qualified clinicians, follow NICE guidance and provide detailed, evidence-based recommendations. They are regularly used to support discussions with schools, universities, employers, local authorities and healthcare professionals.
Getting here from Manchester
Easy to reach, wherever you are in Greater Manchester.
Our specialist clinic is based at Dallam Court in Warrington, approximately 16 miles (26 km) from Manchester city centre. By car, the journey typically takes 25–35 minutes via the M602 and M62, depending on traffic. Direct rail services from Manchester Piccadilly to Warrington Central typically take 20–25 minutes, with an average journey of around 24 minutes. Our clinic is approximately a 5-minute walk from Warrington Central. Alternatively, Warrington Bank Quay is around a 20-minute walk or a short taxi journey away.
Local experience
Supporting families across Greater Manchester
We regularly support children, young people and adults from across the Greater Manchester region, including Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Wigan and Bolton. Our reports have helped families work with schools, colleges, employers and healthcare professionals to better understand autism and access appropriate support. While most families travel to our Warrington clinic for autism assessments and ADHD screening, our Educational Psychologists also bring extensive experience of working in schools across Greater Manchester.
A recent example
We recently assessed a secondary school pupil from Greater Manchester who had been struggling with increasing anxiety, sensory overwhelm and difficulties attending school. Although they were coping well academically, the effort involved in masking throughout the school day was leaving them exhausted at home. They were becoming increasingly dysregulated at home and disengaged from learning on the days they were able to attend, while school reported that they were coping well and had no significant concerns. Following assessment, the family received an autism diagnosis together with a detailed report and practical recommendations. The report helped provide evidence for school, enabling a shared understanding of the young person’s needs and supporting the implementation of appropriate adjustments.
Common Questions
Our specialist clinic is based in Warrington, approximately 16 miles (26 km) from Manchester city centre. By car, the journey typically takes 25–35 minutes via the M602 and M62, depending on traffic. Direct rail services from Manchester Piccadilly to Warrington Central typically take 20–25 minutes, with an average journey of around 24 minutes. Our clinic is approximately a 5-minute walk from Warrington Central. Alternatively, Warrington Bank Quay is around a 20-minute walk or a short taxi journey away.
Booking is simple. Complete our online enquiry form or contact our friendly team on 01925 249228. We’ll explain the assessment process, answer any questions and help you decide whether an autism assessment is the right next step. Once your appointment is booked, we’ll guide you through every stage of the process.
Our autism assessments are completed by appropriately qualified clinicians working as part of a multidisciplinary team. They follow NICE guidance and use recognised, evidence-based assessment methods and standardised assessment tools where appropriate. The outcome is a comprehensive diagnostic report that is recognised for its clinical quality and is regularly used to support discussions with NHS services, schools, local authorities, universities and employers, including requests for reasonable adjustments and support.
Yes. We provide comprehensive autism assessments for both adults and children, with assessment pathways tailored to each age group. Our experienced multidisciplinary team will guide you through the process and ensure the assessment is appropriate for your individual needs.
You’ll receive feedback on the outcome of your assessment, followed by a comprehensive written report. This includes a summary of the assessment findings, whether the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for autism are met, and personalised recommendations to support you or your child at home, in education, at work and in everyday life. The report can be shared with schools, healthcare professionals, employers, universities or other relevant organisations.