Autism North East Reviews 42

After an initial consultation in Dec 2025, my daughter received a diagnosis of ASD and anxiety in Jan 2026. The team were nothing short of professional, thorough and friendly. Our plan was tailored towards my daughter’s needs and I felt truly listened too - a big thank you to Sarah who helped us so much through the process. I understand not everybody is in the position to pay for private assessments, but if you are, please do consider Autism North East.

My family and I have had wonderful experiences with Autism North East, supporting our neurodivergent children on numerous occasions. They have assessed and diagnosed, visited schools, attended meetings with us and provided post-diagnosis support. They provided unbiased and compassionate expertise, advice and support, that we have found nowhere else. They were recommended to us by a friend and we do not hesitate to recommend them to others.

From the first contact made with Autism North East, their service has been second to none. They are professional, caring, understanding and help you through and explain a very uneasy time. Sarah is amazing, she makes sure you understand every step and no question is a silly question. My daughter felt at ease and so did I. We received a 40 page report which was incredibly detailed and informative. The aftercare and check in was much appreciated, Autism North East care about every patient and you are not just a number. I would highly recommend.

I can only speak highly of Autism North East.

My young son was experiencing a range of emotions following the sudden loss of his father. To best support him we needed to understand his neurodivergence. With the NHS waiting list being so long, this was not something we could wait for and I began looking at private diagnostic options. A healthcare professional myself, I spoke with a number of private companies offering assessment for autism, ADHD etc, trying to see past the websites and unpick the level of service and true assessments which would take place.

When I contacted Autism North East, I was immediately reassured that this would be the best place for us. I was new to the world of neurodivergence and trying to navigate unfamiliar terminology. I spoke to Autism North East about the challenges my son was facing and knew they were best placed to look at the wider picture within which his neurodivergence sits. The waiting time for my son to be seen privately with Autism North East was greater than other private companies, but to me it was worth the wait.

Before Autism North East met my son, I was able to discuss my thoughts, feelings and experiences, and importantly - I felt listened to and the assessment process was adapted to his needs. Assessments were undertaken in a welcoming and relaxed environment, with my son feeling comfortable to spend time with the professionals at Autism North East. There was a thorough assessment with the multidisciplinary team (face to face over a number of visits) - a process I felt was very thorough. Autism North East also undertook an assessment at my son's school, with him being unaware that they were there to see him in school surroundings.

Following the assessment process, I had a feedback meeting with Dr Hayley Atkinson where we had a thorough discussion of my son, his diagnoses and his needs. It was clear that Autism North East had truly assessed and considered my child - they highlighted traits my son has which I hadn't managed to discuss with them (or sometimes even fully noticed myself!) The report I received about my son was thorough and full of suggested strategies to support my son. I was able to discuss any queries which I had with the team and my understanding of my son and his needs was further strengthened during a subsequent feedback meeting at his school. My son's teachers found this really helpful to them in their support they provide to him.

Following assessment with Autism North East, CYPS have acknowledged and accepted his diagnoses under the NHS. Autism North East were also able to liaise with my son's bereavement support service as part of their diagnostic process and this has been really helpful to them in the care they provide to my son.

To sum things up, I would wholly recommend Autism North East to anyone seeking assessment of neurodivergence. Thank you to the whole team for providing care which was truly tailored to my son.

A few hours ago, and after several months of appointments with the wonderful team, I was sent my final report from Autism North East. This 39 page document, detailing every single facet of my neurodivergence in detail, is the first time I feel like I've been listened to in 36 years. I cannot thank the team at Autism North East, especially Debbie, enough. They've changed my life.

Additionally, as someone who struggles with severe anxiety, I would like to especially point out how easy Debbie and her team made this process for me. We moved some appointments online, which I find easier, and my comfort was prioritised during every appointment. Five stars isn't enough for this team.

Autism North East were professional, kind, caring and supportive throughout the process. From initial contact to diognosis this was approx 8 month in total, which was fantastic, so my child vould get the support required.

Autism north east have supported our family through two assessments of autism/autism and adhd. The care received was second to none. The clinicians were extremely knowledgable yet compassionate. We felt heard and that our views as parents mattered. They worked hard to ensure the process was as accessible as possible for our children and were able to engage them in the process.

The assessment was highly detailed and robust, giving us confidence in the outcome. The end report provided us with a deeper understanding of our child’s experiences and how we could support them. The reports have been accepted by all professionals we have had contact with and were used to secure an EHCP with our local authority.

We would whole heartedly recommend autism north east to any family seeking a thorough and comprehensive assessment from clinicians who really do have a wealth of experience and expertise.

We sought a private assessment for our son due to NHS waiting lists. We chose Autism North East due to them following NICE guidelines and the clear outline of the assessment process and costs. Our son was diagnosed as having ASD and the process was swift whilst being extremely thorough; we felt they really got to know and understand him. The report is very comprehensive yet easy to read and his diagnosis has been accepted by school and GP. Everyone involved with my sons assessment was very friendly and put us all at ease and I would highly recommend their services. It has been a while since we sought the assessment from Autism North East but we still refer to the report often, as does school.

We approached Autism North East when our son began to struggle at school. We knew the waiting list for assessment through the NHS was long and we didn’t want to wait 2+ years for a diagnosis.

It was really important for us that the assessment conformed to the NICE guidelines so that the diagnosis would be accepted by our GP and school, this is why we chose to go with Autism North East.

Vikki and the team were fantastic from start to finish. They took the time to get to us and support us throughout the assessment. The assessment itself was very thorough and the post diagnostic support has been excellent.

Finding the right team to guide you through your child's autism assessment can feel daunting. From the very first interaction with this incredible team, every one of our fears was met with profound compassion and absolute professionalism.

The entire process with our 5-year-old son was handled with such care and respect. The clinicians were patient, engaging, and created a safe environment for him to be himself. They didn't just see a set of symptoms; they saw our child.

The depth of their analysis was astounding. We didn't just receive a diagnosis; we received an excruciatingly detailed, comprehensive report that painted a clear and nuanced picture of our son's strengths and challenges. It came packed with practical, helpful tips that we began implementing immediately and have been a huge help to our family to this day.

But what truly sets this team apart is what happened after the diagnosis. They did not abandon us. Their support was not a transaction that ended when the report was printed. They understood that a diagnosis is just the beginning of the journey.

The fact that they accompanied us to our son's school to mediate for better conditions and accommodations was nothing short of amazing. They became our advocate, translating the clinical findings into actionable steps for his educators. They ensured his needs were not just heard, but understood and met.

We felt heard, we felt supported, and, most importantly, we felt empowered. This team gave us the map and the compass we so desperately needed to navigate the path ahead. They are more than diagnosticians; they are lifelong partners in our child's success. We cannot recommend them highly enough. If you are on this journey, look no further.

Our eldest child was diagnosed via NHS. We suspected our second child was also neurodivergent. By this point NHS waiting lists were huge. I’ll admit that at first we were anxious about going down the private assessment route. We needn’t have been.
At our initial consultation all of the future appointments were placed in the diary. We knew exactly what the process would be, how long it would take and what payments would be made along the way. It was a very timely process and at no point were we left chasing up or facing delays. Rapport with us and our children (we went back for our third child) was very good.
Reports were incredibly detailed, yet still user friendly. The entire assessment was way more thorough than the NHS one. We received so many insights and recommendations for school. Follow up appointments are available should you need them. The diagnosis has been fully accepted by GP, hospital, school etc.
As parents we can feel hopeless and desperate to seek help/answers - that can make us vulnerable. I wholeheartedly recommend Autism North East and feel that they provided an exceptional and honest service to our family.

Amazing service from start to finish with Autism North East. It’s been a while since we completed all of the assessments but I have had such a good experience that I have referred other people who have reached out to me to this service and they too have found the exact same level of care, integrity and support. I wouldn’t and haven’t hesitated to recommend anyone looking for support to use this organisation. The staff are competent, friendly and professional and ensure all needs are met.

The team at Autism North East were amazing when we were seeking advice and support around whether our daughter was Autistic. From the initial appointment through to diagnosis, the team made us so welcome. We were given a number of appointments after the first session and this was so helpful to know in advance what would be happening when, i had not expected things to be so structured and quick!
We had a team of professionals that included a clinical psychologist, speech and language therapist and an Occupational therapist that assessed all aspects of Layla's needs.
The full process was made easy by the supportive, understanding and caring nature of the team.
The meeting to discuss feedback and see if a diagnosis was reached was handled so sensitively.
We received a comprehensive report, with each part of the assessment explained.
Layla did receive a diagnosis, and we felt validated as parents.
Receiving the diagnosis was bittersweet, we knew as parents she was Autistic, but having it confirmed brought a mixture of feelings.
As after care we were offered sessions with other family members to explain what this meant for Layla, support for school and ultimately support for Layla.
The diagnosis has changed Layla's life for the better; she has more of a positive understanding of herself, as a family we have changed and adapted things , based on advice from the team to make life easier for us all.
I could not recommend Autism North East enough.

Vikki and the whole team at Autism North East were fantastic as we worked with them to complete the Autism and ADHD Assessment process.

Vikki was diligent in both her work and her care for my son. She ensured that he was always as comfortable as possible and respected his needs. She paced things well to make sure he could always do his best without overstimulating him. She worked hard to build a rapport with him. She arranged all our appointments to maximise our time and convenience.

Vikki and her colleagues completed such detailed work that the report they produced tells us everything we need to know in order to support him in the future. This was particularly apparent in the follow-up meeting with the school, where Vikki ensured that we worked together with the SENCO to ensure the most nurturing environment for my son to thrive in.

I can heartily recommend Autism North East. If you are searching for a careprovider that is both caring and effective, then look no further.

Autism North East are a warm and welcoming team of professionals who immediately put you at ease and make you feel listened to and accepted. Debbie ‘s approach made me feel very relaxed from the get go as I was obviously anxious as to what to expect. Each assessment was also interesting as well as informative and my wife said she also felt involved and listened to. I can’t rate everyone high enough and I wish all in the team every success for the future.

I recently completed an autism assessment at Autism North East, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care and professionalism shown throughout the entire process.

From the very first contact, the staff were warm, respectful, and accommodating. The intake process was clear and thoughtfully designed, allowing me to share relevant background information in a way that felt supportive. I won't deny it was a challenging assessment to go through, it was never going to be easy however the professionalism and compassion shown by the staff allowed me to feel contained and understood without judgement.

All clinicians who conducted the assessments appeared knowledgeable, patient, and compassionate. They created a safe and non-judgemental environment, which made it much easier to open up and engage fully in the process. It was clear they had a deep understanding of autism across all ages and presentations, and they took the time to explain each step of the evaluation and answer my questions thoroughly.

When it came time for feedback, the results were presented with clarity and empathy. The clinician provided a detailed report, helpful recommendations, and valuable resources tailored specifically to my needs. They knew what resources I was likely to need and suggested tools which might be useful going on, particularly regarding suggestions to better manage the work place.

When considering a neurodivergent assessment, it is important to get an evidenced-based approach from clinical expertise. It is important to walk into a situation knowing that those who are assessing, are directed by ethics, morals, knowledge and the right skill-set to assess accurately and appropriately and not because they are driven by their own agendas which might not be so authentic. I had my suspicions that I may be neurodivergent but I did not want to leave with a diagnosis if it was not true. I wanted the clinical expertise to tell me either way.

When looking for an autism service, I did find alternative and cheaper services available but the feedback from these was either mixed or overall negative relating to poor customer service and the offer of a diagnosis after very minimal customer contact - that is not ethical nor professional and you are unlikely to have an accurate or appropriate assessment. Please do your research and be confident that those you place your trust in, are worthy of it.

To anyone seeking an autism evaluation — especially if you're looking for a team that combines clinical expertise with genuine human then I would recommend Autism North East.

The psychologists and specialists treated my daughter with kindness and professionalism which was so welcome. She has real confidence in the diagnosis which will allow her to develop in her life and deal with difficulties, as well as having her strengths acknowledged too.

As a family we have used Autism North East twice over the last 5 years, first for our son and more recently for our daughter. On both occasions we were impressed with the quality of the assessment process and the professional attitude of every clinician we met on our journey.

Both of our children always felt at ease and the assessment process was never stressful for them. As parents we were always well informed about the assessment process and given lots of explanations and advice for the future. The final report has proved one of the most valuable tools we have. It has enabled us to access further services and put plans in place for the future for our children where their needs will be met.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to us as parents and enable our children to feel validated for the young people they are.

We had a very positive experience with Autism North East, right from the very first email. All of the staff we had contact with were professional, friendly, understanding and patient. We felt understood and heard from the team. We had a main contact and she was just wonderful from start to finish (and beyond). The assessments were thorough and our daughter felt very comfortable throughout. We felt the communication and updates were timely and detailed. We felt very well supported by our main contact and feel we couldn’t have wished for a better experience during a difficult time. I would highly recommend the team.

Autism North East worked efficiently as a team to diagnose both of my daughters. As a result of this I have been able to apply for an EHCP for my youngest and arrange extra support for my oldest child at school. It has given me massive reassurance as a parent to never doubt my own judgement with my children.