Parent Information
Understanding Autism & ADHD
Considering an assessment for your child can bring many questions and uncertainties.
You may be wondering whether your child needs an assessment, what the process involves, or what the outcome might mean.
This guide is designed to provide clear, supportive information to help you feel more confident in your next steps.
What is Autism (ASD)?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them.
It is described as a “spectrum” because every individual is different, with their own unique strengths, needs, and ways of understanding the world.
Children and young people with autism may:
Experience differences in social communication and interaction
Find it more difficult to understand social cues or relationships
Prefer routine, predictability, or familiarity
Experience sensory sensitivities (e.g. to noise, light, textures)
Have focused interests or areas of strength
Autism is not something to be “fixed”, but something to be understood. A good assessment helps to recognise both strengths and areas where support may be helpful.
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects attention, activity levels, and impulse control.
Children and young people with ADHD may:
Find it difficult to sustain attention or focus
Be highly active or restless
Act impulsively or without thinking things through
Experience challenges with organisation and completing tasks
Find emotional regulation more difficult
ADHD can present in different ways, and not all children will show the same pattern of behaviours. A thorough assessment helps to understand how these differences impact your child in everyday life.
Externalised presentations
Autism and ADHD can present differently from one child to another, and these differences can affect how easily a child’s needs are recognised.
Some children show more externalised presentations, where their differences are more visible to others.
This might include:
High levels of activity or restlessness
Impulsive behaviour
Difficulty remaining seated or focused
Emotional outbursts or frustration
Behaviour that draws attention in school or at home
These presentations are often more easily recognised, as the challenges are outwardly noticeable and may impact daily routines.
Internalised presentations
Other children show more internalised presentations, where difficulties are less visible from the outside.
These children may:
Appear quiet, withdrawn, or very compliant
Work hard to “fit in” or avoid drawing attention
Experience anxiety, overwhelm, or sensory discomfort
Find social situations challenging but not show this outwardly
Seem to cope well at school but feel exhausted or distressed at home
Because these challenges are less visible, they can sometimes be overlooked, even though the child may be experiencing significant difficulty.
Understanding Masking
Some children and young people learn to mask their difficulties.
Masking means trying to hide or manage differences in order to fit in with others or meet expectations.
This might include:
Copying the behaviour of others in social situations
Rehearsing conversations or responses
Suppressing natural behaviours or reactions
Trying very hard to appear “okay” or cope in busy environments
While masking can help a child manage in the moment, it can also be:
Mentally and emotionally exhausting
Linked to increased anxiety or overwhelm
A reason why difficulties are not always recognised early
Children who mask may appear to be coping well in some environments, particularly at school, but may show signs of stress, fatigue, or emotional release at home.
Why understanding presentation and masking matters
Every child’s experience is different.
A careful and thoughtful assessment helps to ensure that:
Both visible and less visible difficulties are recognised
Your child’s full experience is understood
Support is tailored to their individual needs
This is particularly important for children whose needs may not be immediately obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs:
What are the signs my child may need an assessment?
You may notice:
Differences in communication or interaction
Attention or focus difficulties
Emotional regulation challenges
Behaviour that feels hard to understand
A sense that your child is struggling, even if it is not always visible
If you are unsure, an initial consultation can help explore your concerns.
What happens during an assessment?
Our assessments are structured and completed in stages to ensure a full and accurate understanding of your child.
You can find more detail about the assessment process on our Packages page.
Will my child’s school be involved?
Where appropriate, we may gather information from your child’s school to help build a complete picture.
This helps ensure that any recommendations are practical and meaningful in everyday settings.
What if my child does not meet the criteria?
If a full assessment is not clinically indicated:
We will discuss this with you openly
Provide guidance on alternative explanations or next steps
Refund any unused portion of the assessment fee
What happens after diagnosis?
You will receive:
A clear explanation of the outcome
Practical, tailored recommendations
Guidance on next steps
We also offer ongoing support where needed.
How do I get started?
We recommend beginning with an initial consultation to talk through your concerns. Just click the button below.