We do not accept referals for children under the age of 2 years old. 

Some early signs can appear in the first year — reduced eye contact, not responding to their name by 12 months, or limited babbling. Your Health Visitor carries out developmental checks at 9–12 months and again around 2–2.5 years. These are ideal times to raise any concerns, for example: 

• Limited or no eye contact by 6 months of age 

• No smiles or other non-verbal communication by 9 months 

• No babbling by 12 months 

• Not using gestures to communicate, e.g. pointing, reaching, waving, by 12 months 

• Not responding to their name by 12 months 

• Not pointing at objects to show interest by 14 months  

• No words by 16 months 

• Not playing “pretend” games by 18 months 

• No meaningful two-word phrases by 24 months 

• A loss at any time of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills. 
   

Who to contact: 

Speak to your Health Visitor or Children's Centres for advice for activities to develop your child’s communication and play. There are lots of useful resources for parents, such as Tiny Happy People from CBeebies Parenting: www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people 

A referral is not needed at this stage unless there are significant concerns about  developmental delay or developmental regression, in which case, speak to your Health Visitor at the 2-year review, or contact your GP for a medical review.

 The key features of autism often become more noticeable at this age.  

Signs to look out for include:  

• No meaningful two-word phrases by 24 months 

• Limited pretend play 

• Difficulty with changes in routine 

• Repeating words or phrases 

• Unusual responses to sounds or textures 

• A loss at any time of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills. 

• Who to contact: 

  Your Health Visitor, GP, or nursery SENCo. 

   

School brings new social demands with the complexity of being in a classroom and getting used to school routines.  

Indicators include: 

• Becoming overwhelmed in busy environments 

• Rigid thinking 

• Difficulties making or keeping friends 

Schools can put support in place without waiting for an outcome of a diagnostic assessment. 

Who to contact: 

Your child's school SENCo or GP. 

Secondary school transition often reveals autistic traits, particularly in girls and young people who have previously masked or coped. CAMHS may be involved at this stage if there have been concerns about emotional or mental health. 

Teenagers may be able contribute directly to their own assessment from around age 13 years. 

Who to contact: 

Secondary school SENCo, GP, or CAMHS.

Older teenagers may want to contribute directly to their own assessment by this stage. A diagnostic assessment can be useful but should not delay with school or college putting in support for exam access arrangements, university support (DSA), and adult services planning. Transition planning from children's to adult services should begin by age 14. If there are concerns about autism or ADHD in later adolescence, we would advise an early referral so that the service can complete the assessment before the child’s 18th birthday. We may need to transfer the assessment to Adult Autism and ADHD services if we are unable to start the assessment before then. 

Who to contact: 

School/college SENCo or GP.