Information for parents and carers
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Autism Spectrum (ASD) Pathway Clinical Psychology PIAG 224 (346kB)
The role of Clinical Psychologists
Clinical Psychologists may contribute to your child’s ssessment by exploring whether there are other factors or conditions which explain the difficulties you / your child is having.
We have skills in sharing a psychological formulation / understanding of how young people present and what factors may be impacting on them and affect their social communication and interactions.
We are interested in:
- a child’s pre-birth history
- early years relationships and experiences
- significant life events
- availability of family support
- biological family history
- parents’ own history
What will happen in the appointment?
The psychologist will want to spend some time getting to know you and your child to understand what you / they enjoy doing, and any difficulties you’re experiencing.
They will ask about your history to help them get an understanding of your child’s needs and what may affect how they behave and interact with people. It can be helpful to speak to you and your child separately sometimes.
There will be an opportunity to discuss any questions you may have. We offer online or face to face appointments at one of our hospital sites.
School observations
Our Assistant Psychologists often gather information about your child’s behaviour in school and how they interact with peers / teachers. This can include observing lessons or break times.
Cognitive assessments
Our team offer cognitive assessments which help us understand how your child’s brain functions and gives us a cognitive profile. Using puzzles and tasks, it assesses attention, memory, verbal skills and how we think. Some of these tasks may be easy and others much harder. Your child may even enjoy it!
How long will it take?
Cognitive assessments usually take place during one appointment which may take around 2 hours. The assessment can be spread over two sessions and includes breaks. Please bring any glasses, hearing aids etc., a drink/snack that you feel your child may need.
Do they diagnose ASD?
Cognitive assessments cannot determine whether a young person has ASD but they can help us understand why some tasks may be easier than others, and can help those who support them understand them better.
Which assessments will be used?
This will depend on the individual and the information we already have about them. We do not always need to do all of the assessments or observations.
What happens next?
After each type of assessment, you will receive a report. This will include the outcome of your child’s cognitive assessment if they have one. It may be helpful for school, your GP, or any professionals supporting your family to receive the report. The Clinical Psychologist would speak to you about this.
The report will be read and discussed in the multi disciplinary team meeting to help make the decision about whether the young person meets the criteria for a diagnosis of ASD.
Psychological support
If you would like mental health support, the following services offer talking therapies.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Crisis Line: 0808 196 3550 or 0151 293 3577
Young Person Advisory Service (YPAS): 0151 707 1025
Merseyside Youth Association: 0151 702 0700
This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.
This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
PIAG: 224