Explore autism and ADHD through one coordinated pathway
If you’re wondering whether your child or young person may be autistic, have ADHD, or both, our combined assessment pathway allows you to explore both at the same time.
The autism and ADHD assessments are carried out as separate clinical assessments, with separate outcomes, but planned and managed together as one streamlined pathway. This means you can explore both without having to arrange and navigate two separate assessment journeys.
Our specialist clinicians consider the overlapping and distinct traits of autism and ADHD in children and young people, looking at how these may show up at home, in education and in other areas of their lives. You’ll receive clear clinical outcomes and practical recommendations to help you understand their needs and next steps.
When autism and ADHD may both be part of the picture
Autism and ADHD can have overlapping traits, but every child and young person experiences them differently. Our neuro-affirming approach recognises each individual’s experiences, strengths and support needs.
You may notice differences around attention, organisation, impulsivity or activity levels, alongside differences in communication, sensory processing, routines, social interaction or emotional regulation.
Choosing a combined pathway means both can be explored at the same time, rather than completing one assessment and potentially needing to arrange and wait for another later.
Accessing Melios through work or insurance?
If your child or young person’s assessment is funded by your employer, insurer or another partner, please use the dedicated link they provided rather than booking directly through this website.
If you’re booking through Bupa, please follow the dedicated booking link below.
Not sure which route applies? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
What does a combined assessment pathway include?
The autism and ADHD assessments are planned together, with each assessment following its own clinical process.
The pathway may include:
- online appointments with specialist clinicians
- questionnaires and clinical information gathering
- discussion of your child or young person’s development and experiences
- consideration of their experiences at home, in education and in other settings such as clubs or hobbies
- exploration of characteristics associated with both autism and ADHD
- consideration of how these experiences may overlap or interact
- input from parents, carers, teachers or other people who know them well, where required
- separate clinical outcomes for autism and ADHD
- clear recommendations based on the outcome of each assessment
Our clinicians will take time to understand the wider context of your child or young person’s experiences, strengths and support needs, rather than looking at individual characteristics in isolation.
What happens after the assessments?
You’ll receive a clinical outcome for each assessment, explaining the findings and what they mean for your child or young person.
The reports will include:
- a clear summary of each assessment outcome
- their strengths, differences and support needs
- practical recommendations for home, education and everyday life
- information about further support, this could include therapeutic services and ADHD medication
Your clinician will also discuss the outcomes with you directly, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and talk through the recommendations.
If autism or ADHD is not identified, the assessment can still provide useful clinical insight into your child or young person’s experiences and recommendations to help you consider what may support them next.
Why choose a combined pathway?
Exploring autism and ADHD together can give you a more complete picture of your child or young person’s experiences, while making the assessment process more straightforward to manage.
A combined pathway means:
- Both can be explored together rather than deciding which assessment to have first
- The pathway is planned and managed together, helping to streamline the process
- You receive separate clinical outcomes for autism and ADHD
- You have one pathway and one overall cost to manage, rather than arranging and paying for separate assessments at different times
- You can consider the overlap between autism and ADHD, helping you understand your child or young person’s experiences in a broader context
Our neuro-affirmative support centres on understanding each individual’s unique profile of strengths and differences rather than viewing them solely through the lens of a clinical label. Our aim is to provide your family with a greater understanding of your child’s experiences, with practical next steps based on their individual needs.
Online assessment, designed around your child or young person
Melios assessments take place online through a secure platform, allowing your child or young person to attend from home or another suitable environment, such as school if needed as an adjustment.
We can discuss practical adjustments in advance, including breaks, pacing and communication preferences, to help them feel as comfortable as possible throughout the assessment.
Looking for more information?
Our dedicated pages explain more about autism and ADHD assessments for children and young people, including what each assessment explores and what to expect.
Explore child and young person ADHD assessments
Explore child and young person autism assessments
You can also explore our resources for more information about autism, ADHD and neurodiversity.
A private service built on clinical foundations
Melios is the dedicated private service within the wider Healios group.
Melios and Healios share the same clinical foundations, including experienced clinicians, clinical governance, safeguarding and secure online delivery.
For families looking for greater flexibility or more direct access to assessment and support, Melios provides a private route backed by over a decade of experience. Where appropriate, we also align our approach with relevant national guidance (including NICE).
Combined autism and ADHD assessment FAQs
Do I need a referral for a combined autism and ADHD assessment?
No. You do not need a GP or NHS referral to book a private combined autism and ADHD assessment with Melios.
What age range does Melios assess?
Melios provides private combined autism and ADHD assessments for children and young people aged six and over.
Why choose a combined assessment pathway?
A combined pathway allows your family to explore autism and ADHD at the same time, without having to arrange and manage two separate assessment journeys.
The autism and ADHD assessments are separate clinical assessments, with their own outcomes, but they are planned and managed together. This can make the overall process more streamlined, timely and also means you can manage the cost of both assessments together.
Will I receive separate autism and ADHD outcomes?
Yes. Autism and ADHD are assessed separately, so you will receive a clinical outcome for each assessment.
Our clinicians will consider the overlapping and distinct traits of autism and ADHD, helping you understand what the outcomes mean in the context of your child or young person’s individual experiences, strengths and support needs.
What happens during a combined assessment?
Your combined assessment pathway will include separate autism and ADHD assessment processes. This will include questionnaires, clinical information gathering and online appointments with specialist clinicians.
Your clinicians will explore your child or young person’s development and experiences across areas such as home, education, relationships and everyday life, considering characteristics associated with both autism and ADHD.
Can I be involved in my child’s assessment?
Yes. Parent or carer input is an important part of understanding a child or young person’s development and experiences. The child will need to be willing to engage in the assessment and have some understanding of the reasons for it, at an age appropriate level. We provide resources to help with this on our online dashboard.
What happens if my child meets the criteria for one condition but not the other?
They may meet the diagnostic criteria for autism, ADHD, both, or neither. Each assessment has its own clinical outcome, and your clinician will explain the findings clearly and talk through what they mean for your child or young person.
What happens if my child does not receive a diagnosis?
If your child or young person does not meet the diagnostic threshold for autism or ADHD, your clinician will explain the findings clearly.
The assessment will still provide clarity and useful clinical insight into their experiences, strengths and support needs, together with practical recommendations to help you consider their next steps.
Are combined assessments completed online?
Yes. Melios combined assessments are delivered online through a secure digital platform. Practical adjustments, including breaks, pacing and communication preferences, can be discussed where appropriate.
Do the combined autism and ADHD assessments follow NICE guidelines?
Yes. Our autism and ADHD assessments are evidence-based and follow recognised clinical guidance, including relevant NICE guidelines. Our specialist clinicians use established approaches to ensure your assessment is thorough and clinically informed.
What happens after a combined assessment?
You will receive separate clinical outcomes for your child or young person’s autism and ADHD assessments, with reports explaining the findings and what they mean.
The reports may include practical recommendations for home, education and everyday life, as well as information about further support where appropriate.
Your clinician will also discuss the outcomes with you and give you the opportunity to ask questions.
Talk to Melios about a combined assessment
You don’t have to work out which assessment your child or young person needs on your own.
A free consultation gives you the space to talk through your concerns, ask questions and explore whether a combined autism and ADHD assessment pathway might be right for your child or young person.
There is no pressure to commit to anything. The aim is simply to help you feel clearer and more informed about what comes next.