Worried about autism? Start here
You don't need to be certain to ask for help. Here's how to take the first steps, what the assessment process usually looks like, and how to support your child right now — diagnosis or not.
Write dated examples, get hearing checked, and ask a GP, health visitor or paediatrician for an autism assessment. You do not need to be sure. Start cards and a predictable day while you wait. Online quizzes with a score are not a diagnosis.
What to do if you're worried
A calm, practical step-by-step guide for parents who are worried about autism — what to write down, who to talk to, how referrals and waiting lists work, and what helps now.
After diagnosis: what now
A calm, practical action plan for right after an autism diagnosis: what to do first, the support to ask for, how to process your own feelings, and where to start at home.
Telling your child
Why and when to tell your child about their autism diagnosis, how to frame it positively and age-appropriately, answering their questions, and making it an ongoing conversation.
On the waiting list
Waiting for an autism assessment is hard. What you can do right now to support your child, how to weigh private assessment, and how to look after yourself while you wait.
Signs of autism in children
Early signs by age, what's typical, and what to look for before you raise concerns.
What is autism?
A plain-language explainer to help you understand what a diagnosis would mean.
School support & IEP basics
How to get support at school — you don't always need a diagnosis first.
Signs notes
Free toolA printable sheet of examples to take to a professional — not a screening test.
About my child
Free toolStrengths-first one-pager so the appointment is not only a deficit list.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait and see, or ask for an assessment now?
If you're worried, ask now. Raising concerns early causes no harm, and waiting lists are often long, so starting sooner gets your child seen sooner.
Can I help my child before they're diagnosed?
Yes — you don't need a diagnosis to use visual schedules, picture cards, or reduce sensory stress. Good support helps with or without a label.
What if the GP says it is just a phase?
Ask them to record the concern, book a review, and say you still want a referral. Bring videos and nursery notes. Persistence is reasonable. 'Wait and see' without a plan costs months on a list you have not joined.
Should I trust an online autism test?
No. Quizzes cannot diagnose. Write examples, take them to a professional, and skip anything that sells a result or a cure. Our signs-notes sheet is deliberately not M-CHAT and has no cut-off score.
Not medical advice. This article is general information, not a substitute for professional assessment. Every child is different — always talk to a qualified professional about your individual child.