Tabla Psychology provides teen and child autism assessments, supporting families across Hampshire, the South Coast and beyond to build a clearer understanding of their child’s developmental, emotional, sensory and learning profile.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that can affect how a child communicates, connects with others, processes sensory information, manages change, focuses their attention and experiences the world around them. Every autistic child is different. Some children have clear and visible support needs, while others may mask their difficulties, work hard to “hold it together” at school, or become overwhelmed once they are home.
For many families, seeking an autism assessment is not simply about diagnosis. It is about understanding what may be happening for their child, what support may be needed, and how home and school can respond in a more informed, compassionate and practical way.
Our teen and child autism assessments are designed to help families, schools and professionals better understand a child’s strengths, differences, communication style, sensory needs, emotional wellbeing, learning profile and day-to-day experiences.
Why families choose Tabla for a teen & child autism assessment
We take a thoughtful, evidence-based and child-friendly approach, combining Clinical Psychology and Educational Psychology expertise to build a clear and meaningful understanding of your child.
Our autism assessments follow relevant NICE guidelines because they are not based on a single test or observation. NICE guidance expects autism assessment to draw together information from different sources and settings, including developmental history, parent or carer views, educational information where available, direct observation, clinical judgement and consideration of wider developmental, emotional, behavioural and physical factors.
At Tabla, this is reflected in our use of gold-standard and evidence-based assessment tools, autism-specific observation, detailed developmental interview, school information, questionnaires, screening for overlapping needs and multidisciplinary clinical formulation. These tools do not sit separately from NICE guidance; they are part of how we gather the structured, multi-source information needed to complete a clinically robust autism assessment.
Families choose Tabla because we offer:
- Assessment by experienced HCPC-registered Clinical and Educational Psychologists
- Autism assessments that follow relevant NICE guidelines and recognised diagnostic criteria
- Use of gold-standard and evidence-based autism assessment tools
- Autism-specific observation as part of the wider assessment process
- A multidisciplinary formulation drawing together developmental history, parent views, school information, questionnaires, direct observation and clinical judgement
- Careful consideration of masking, anxiety, sensory processing differences, emotional wellbeing and functional impact
- Screening for overlapping needs, including ADHD, learning, literacy, language, sensory and emotional needs
- Detailed reports that are clear, practical and useful for home, school and next steps
- A neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach that recognises both strengths and support needs
A calm, welcoming place for children and families
Our clinic is based at The Old Dairy in Hambledon, near Portsmouth and Petersfield. Set within a quiet converted dairy, the space has been designed to feel warm and welcoming rather than clinical or overwhelming.
We take time to help children and teenagers feel safe, respected and understood. For younger children, assessment sessions may include play-based activities where appropriate, helping us learn about the child in a natural and developmentally sensitive way.
We recognise that some children may feel anxious about attending an appointment. Our team will always aim to adapt the assessment experience as far as possible, so that children can engage in a way that feels manageable for them.
What does the assessment involve?
Our autism assessment is designed to build a rounded understanding of your child across home, school and the assessment setting.
The assessment includes:
- Questionnaires and rating scales completed by parents, school staff and your child where appropriate
- A detailed developmental interview with parents or carers
- An in-clinic autism assessment, including autism-specific observation using gold-standard assessment tools
- Direct assessment and observation with your child
- Review of school information to understand how your child presents in the classroom, socially and across the wider school day
- Exploration of sensory processing differences, emotional wellbeing, anxiety, regulation and functional impact
- Screening for possible overlapping needs, including ADHD, learning, literacy, language and emotional needs
- Clinical integration of all available information by experienced psychologists
This process helps us understand whether your child’s profile is consistent with autism, while also considering the wider factors that may be affecting their wellbeing, learning and daily life.
All assessments are reviewed and integrated by experienced clinicians, including Consultant Psychologists and practitioners with specialist experience in neurodevelopmental assessment. This helps ensure that the final opinion is clinically robust, balanced and useful for families and schools.
What happens after the assessment?
Once all parts of the assessment are complete, our team carefully reviews the information gathered to build a clear and accurate understanding of your child.
You will receive a detailed written report that includes:
- The outcome of the assessment, including any diagnosis where appropriate
- A clear explanation of your child’s strengths, differences and areas of need
- Consideration of how autism-related needs may present at home and school
- Information about any overlapping or additional needs identified through screening
- Practical, personalised recommendations for home, school and next steps
- Guidance to help families and professionals better understand and support your child
Our reports are detailed, clearly written and designed to be useful for families, schools and professionals. They can support shared understanding, school planning and informed conversations with other services where appropriate.
We also offer follow-up appointments if you would like further support in understanding the report, sharing it with school, or planning what comes next.
Fees
The cost of a child or teen autism assessment is £2,700.
If you are considering more than one assessment, such as autism and ADHD, or autism alongside an Educational Psychology assessment, please contact us. We are experienced in combining assessments where clinically appropriate, helping to reduce duplication and build a more joined-up understanding of your child’s needs.
What does it cover?
Assessment areas include:
- Social interaction, such as how your child initiates and maintains social conversation
- Social communication, such as how your child makes sense of the thoughts and feelings of themselves and others
- Interests which seem unusually intense
- Sensory and emotional needs, including an indepth consideration of any anxiety your child or teen may be experiencing and what is underpinning this.
What happens during the assessment?
An initial phone call with Dr Tamasine Black is offered on Tuesdays between 10am and Midday. It is the first appointment you will have for either an adult or child assessment, and these are offered as part of a call list whereby Dr Tamasine Black will call you between these times. This is a relaxed, informal brief phone call whereby any questions can be answered, and any adaptations you or your child may need from the appointment are noted.
We offer two assessment sessions. One is for parents only and is with our clinical psychologist online, and is a lengthy neurodevelopmental interview. The other is for children and teens and is in our Hambledon Clinic. This appointment is as child-lead as possible and children are encouraged to bring an item of interest they may wish to show Tamasine. Every effort is made to reduce anxiety and to ensure the child or teen feels comfortable, relaxed and regulated. Please let us know if your child is not comfortable with dogs, and we will ensure your in clinic appointment is on a Thursday, when Freddie is not in.
Checklists are also sent to you for you to complete, your child as appropriate, and to provide to your child’s school for the adult who knows your child best to fill in.
A voice recording will be made for effective safeguarding and supervision purposes.
What happens after the assessment?
A substantial report is issued in the weeks after the clinic appointment to allow time for our team to meet and for any additional relevant information to be gathered.
Along with a clear diagnosis and executive summary, this report also gives a clear and detailed analysis of your child’s strengths and needs along with recommended strategies, support and guidance for ongoing support as necessary.
Booking and Availability
We offer child and teen autism assessments in person at our clinic in Hambledon, near Portsmouth and Petersfield, and support families from a wider geographic area.
To book or ask our team any questions, please click on the link below. We would be happy to help you decide whether this is the right assessment pathway for your child.
Autism Assessment FAQ
What is this assessment for?
This assessment is for children and teenagers where there are questions about whether their developmental profile may be consistent with autism.
It may be helpful where a child experiences differences with social communication, sensory processing, flexibility, emotional regulation, masking, friendships, transitions or coping across home and school.
Our autism assessment team includes Dr Tamasine Black (Lead Psychologist, Educational and Child), Dr Neha Matharu (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Victoria Russ (Clinical Psychologist). All members of the team are additionally trained in autism assessment and diagnosis and engage in regular professional supervision. They are registered with their professional bodies with enhanced DBS checks.
Who carries out the assessment?
Our autism assessments are carried out by experienced psychologists with specialist training in autism assessment and diagnosis.
Our autism assessment team includes Dr Tamasine Black, Lead Psychologist, Educational and Child Psychologist, Dr Neha Matharu, Clinical Psychologist, and Dr Victoria Russ, Clinical Psychologist. All members of the team are additionally trained in autism assessment and diagnosis and engage in regular professional supervision. They are registered with their professional bodies and hold enhanced DBS checks.
Our autism assessment team includes Dr Tamasine Black (Lead Psychologist, Educational and Child), Dr Neha Matharu (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Victoria Russ (Clinical Psychologist). All members of the team are additionally trained in autism assessment and diagnosis and engage in regular professional supervision. They are registered with their professional bodies with enhanced DBS checks.
What happens after the assessment?
Our autism assessments are carried out by experienced psychologists with specialist training in autism assessment and diagnosis.
Our autism assessment team includes Dr Tamasine Black, Lead Psychologist, Educational and Child Psychologist, Dr Neha Matharu, Clinical Psychologist, and Dr Victoria Russ, Clinical Psychologist. All members of the team are additionally trained in autism assessment and diagnosis and engage in regular professional supervision. They are registered with their professional bodies and hold enhanced DBS checks.
Our autism assessment team includes Dr Tamasine Black (Lead Psychologist, Educational and Child), Dr Neha Matharu (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Victoria Russ (Clinical Psychologist). All members of the team are additionally trained in autism assessment and diagnosis and engage in regular professional supervision. They are registered with their professional bodies with enhanced DBS checks.
Does the assessment follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines?
Yes. Our autism assessments follow relevant NICE guidelines.
NICE guidance expects autism assessment to include information from more than one source and setting, including developmental history, parent or carer information, school or educational information where available, direct observation, clinical judgement and consideration of wider developmental, emotional and behavioural factors.
Our use of gold-standard and evidence-based tools supports this process by helping us gather structured information about autism-related strengths, differences and support needs. These tools are used alongside developmental interview, school information, questionnaires, autism-specific observation, screening for overlapping needs and multidisciplinary clinical formulation.
Do you consider masking?
Yes. We recognise that some children and teenagers, particularly those who have learned to mask, may appear to cope in certain settings while experiencing significant internal effort, exhaustion or distress.
Our assessment process considers how your child presents across different environments, including home, school and the clinic.
Do you screen for other needs?
Yes. As part of the autism assessment, we screen for overlapping needs, including ADHD, learning, literacy, sensory, emotional and language needs. These findings are included in the report with appropriate recommendations.
Can autism and ADHD be assessed together?
Yes. Tabla Psychology offers joint child and teen autism and ADHD assessments where this is clinically appropriate. This can be helpful when there are signs of both autism and ADHD, or where the two profiles may be overlapping, masking or complicating one another.
Can you combine autism assessment with an Educational Psychology assessment?
Yes, where appropriate. Tabla Psychology specialises in combining autism and/or ADHD assessments with Educational Psychology assessments.
This can be helpful where there are questions about learning, school support, SEND needs or educational planning.
Is there any follow up support?
Yes. Follow-up support can be offered if you would like help understanding the report, sharing it with school, or planning next steps.
Will other services accept our report?
Our reports are detailed, professionally prepared and regularly used by families when sharing information with schools, GPs, Local Authorities, NHS services and other professionals.
Each organisation will have its own processes, but our aim is to provide clear, robust and practical assessment information that supports understanding and informed decision-making.
Who should I speak to in case of an emergency?
Tabla Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are worried that a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, please contact emergency services, NHS 111, your GP, local crisis services or the relevant safeguarding team.
