February 10, 2026

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets out clear expectations for autism assessment. In every area, a multidisciplinary autism team should be in place.  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128

At its core, this team should include a paediatrician or child and adolescent psychiatrist, a speech and language therapist, and a psychologist experienced in working with autistic children and young people. The team should also include—or have regular access to—professionals such as occupational therapists, neurologists, and additional psychologists where needed.

Assessments should not be narrow or rushed. They should build a comprehensive profile of the child or young person, considering areas such as learning style, academic skills, communication, motor skills, adaptive functioning, mental health, physical health, sensory sensitivities, and social participation. This holistic approach is crucial: autism does not exist in isolation from a child’s wider development and wellbeing.

Where there are differences between what families report and what clinicians observe in a clinical setting, NICE guidance is clear: further information should be gathered and additional observations considered. This may include seeing the child in school, at home, or in other environments. Diagnosis should then be based on all available information and clinical judgement, using recognised criteria such as ICD-11 or DSM-5. In other words, one short appointment in an unfamiliar setting or online should never be the sole basis for a life-shaping decision.

The Myth of the “NHS Standard” for Private Reports

Parents are sometimes told that privately commissioned reports do not meet an “NHS standard.” In reality, there is no statutory or regulatory requirement that private assessors meet a separate, undefined NHS threshold. The phrase is often used informally and can create unnecessary barriers for families seeking timely assessments. Clarity matters here: what matters is professional qualification, appropriate assessment methods, and adherence to recognised guidelines such as NICE—not whether the report was funded by the NHS.

Independent Expert Reports and the Law

Local authorities cannot lawfully adopt a blanket policy of refusing to consider independent expert reports. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 make clear that, during an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment, parents and young people have a statutory right to submit any advice or information they wish. Those reports must be considered.

There is nothing in legislation that prevents local authorities from accepting independent assessments. If a family is told that a report will not be considered, they should request this in writing and seek confirmation that all submitted evidence will be shared with decision-making panels. Transparency and accountability are essential safeguards within the SEND system.

Provided that a practitioner is suitably qualified, has carried out standardised assessments within their professional field, and has followed recognised guidance such as NICE, their findings should be taken seriously. The focus should always be on the quality and relevance of the assessment—not the funding route through which it was obtained.

A System That Works With Families, Not Against Them

The intention behind national guidance and legislation is clear: assessments should be thorough, multidisciplinary, and responsive to the individual child. Families should be partners in the process, not gatekeepers fighting to have evidence recognised.

When we move away from myths and toward the actual guidance and law, we create a system that is more transparent, more collaborative, and ultimately more effective for children and young people who need support.