What to Expect 

At Acorn, we offer two assessment pathways — both fully NICE compliant and led by our expert multidisciplinary team. The information on this page applies to both pathways. The key difference is how the diagnostic interview is delivered:
Same-day pathway: Your ADOS-2 observation and diagnostic interview take place on the same day at our Kelvedon clinic, with both clinicians present throughout.
Split pathway: Your ADOS-2 takes place at our Kelvedon clinic. Your diagnostic interview then follows online via a secure video call, at a separate time — scheduled as close to your clinic visit as possible, and within up to three weeks.

On your arrival

• Easy parking with parking at the front of the clinic inside the brick wall. You can also park on the quiet road outside
• We ask that you arrive a few minutes before your assessment time and one of our clinicians will come out to meet you
• Before the assessment, the clinicians will introduce themselves and answer any questions you may have

ADOS-2: 1 to 1.5 hours

• You will sit at the table with one of the clinicians for the ADOS-2, whilst the second clinician will observe from the corner of the room
• The ADOS-2 is the structured observation part of the assessment and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes
• When children are being assessed, the parent(s)/guardian(s) may sit just behind the child, out of direct eyeline, but close enough to provide reassurance
• For adult assessment, it is your choice if you wish to have your informant present for the ADOS. If not, they can sit in our quiet room

Alongside the ADOS-2, your assessment includes a diagnostic interview. The interview will be either the ADI-R, ACIA, or DISCO, selected based on your individual circumstances — including your age, and whether you have a family member or friend who knows you well, ideally from earlier in your life.

If you have chosen the same-day pathway, your diagnostic interview will take place on the same day, at our Kelvedon clinic. If you have chosen the split pathway, your interview will be arranged separately online, at a time convenient to you.

The assessments we use are clinically robust, as follows:  

ADI-R: around 3 hours

• The ADI-R is the developmental interview part of the assessment, which takes around 3 hours to complete
• The ADI-R is completed with an informant; someone who knows the person being assessed very well, preferably since early childhood
• For the same-day pathway, the ADI-R will be completed at our Kelvedon clinic immediately following the ADOS-2
• For the split pathway, the ADI-R will be conducted remotely via a secure video call, at a date and time agreed with your named clinician — within up to three weeks of your ADOS-2 appointment
• For child assessments, we ask that the child is not present for the ADI-R — please arrange suitable childcare for the duration of the interview (approx. 3 hours)
• For adult assessments, it is your choice whether you wish to be present alongside your informant for the ADI-R interview
• The ADI-R is used for all child assessments

ACIA: around 2 hours

• The ACIA semi structured interview takes around 2 hours. This includes a detailed developmental history, specific questions about characteristics associated with autism, as well as exploring potential co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, OCD and physical conditions
• For the same-day pathway, the ACIA is conducted in clinic. For the split pathway, the ACIA is conducted remotely via secure video call. An informant (someone who knows the person well) is preferred and warmly encouraged for this interview
• The ACIA is used for adult assessment for people aged 16 years and over

The DISCO: around 4-5 hours

• The DISCO is an interview designed to elicit a picture of the whole person through the story of their development and behaviour
• The DISCO can take 4-5 hours to complete
• The DISCO can be conducted remotely or face to face depending on individual preference
• The DISCO can be used either with or without an informant (someone who knows the person well)

Post Assessment

• We will contact you to share the outcome in your preferred way — by email, phone call, or remote video call. For same-day assessments, this will be within 24 hours. For split assessments, this will be promptly following the MDT discussion, which takes place within one week of your final appointment
• You will receive a draft report within two weeks of the assessment
• We will book an online feedback meeting with you to discuss the report and the recommendations contained within the report
• We will send the finalised report to you and, with your consent, also to your GP