FAQs
Your questions, answered plainly.
Practical answers to the questions we are asked most often. An assessment at MAPP is about reaching a meaningful understanding of yourself; a diagnosis is one possible outcome, not a promise. If your question is not here, ask us directly; we reply in writing within two business days.
Deciding
Whether to seek an assessment.
What if I am not sure an assessment is right for me?
That is exactly what the screening assessment is for. A senior clinician explores your story with you and advises honestly on whether a full assessment would be appropriate and helpful. If it would not, we say so, and you keep a written clinical letter either way. You are also welcome to a complimentary ten-minute call first, to ask how we work.
People tell me I don’t seem autistic. Could I still be?
You could. Making eye contact, holding friendships and managing a demanding life do not rule autism out. Many autistic adults, particularly those who mask, have managed precisely by working harder than anyone realised. Masking is a learned, effortful adaptation; it is not evidence against being autistic. Subtle and internalised presentations are our particular specialism, and an assessment is how the question is answered properly, in either direction.
What if autism is not the explanation?
Sometimes it is not, and an assessment is still worthwhile. We consider you as a whole person: the biological, psychological and social factors at play in your life, not autism alone. If we conclude that you are not autistic, we say so clearly and explain what we think better accounts for your experiences. You still receive a thorough profile of your social communication style and how you process information, with clinical recommendations. The aim is a meaningful understanding of yourself, whatever the conclusion.
Will autism explain everything?
Usually not everything, and we would not want it to. Even when autism is diagnosed, you remain a whole person: your history, relationships, health and circumstances all shape your life alongside being autistic, and other things can be going on at the same time. Our formulation considers what autism explains and what it does not, so the understanding you leave with is honest about both.
Could it be ADHD rather than autism, or both?
It could be either, or both. ADHD co-occurs in around half of autistic people, and the two can mask one another. Dr Cheung is trained in adult ADHD assessment (DIVA-5); if ADHD may be part of your picture, mention it when you contact us or at your screening, and we will advise on the most sensible route to a clear answer.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can contact us directly. If you would like us to write to your GP with the outcome afterwards, we do that with your consent.
The process
What the assessment involves.
What does the assessment involve?
A screening assessment first: a one-hour clinical interview with a senior clinician. Then, where appropriate, a full assessment: the ADOS-2 observational assessment, a developmental and informant interview informed by the ADI-R and 3Di, a dual-clinician formulation, a feedback session and a comprehensive written report. The full journey is described step by step on The Assessment page.
Can I skip the clinical interview?
The clinical interview is a mandatory part of both the screening and the full assessment; it cannot be replaced by questionnaires or written information alone. This reflects national clinical guidelines. If talking about your history feels daunting, tell us what would make it more comfortable: a slower pace, breaks, or written communication.
What if no one can describe my childhood?
This is common for adults seeking assessment, and it does not rule an assessment out. Where an interview with someone who knew you in childhood is not possible, we discuss the options at your screening, including speaking with someone who knows you well now, and we are clear about what it may mean for the outcome.
Can the assessment take place remotely?
The clinical interview can take place in person at Wimpole Street or by video. We will advise at your screening which parts of your assessment need to happen in person.
How long does the process take?
We offer prompt appointments and there is no waiting list. For standard assessments, we aim to hold your feedback session within three weeks of your final appointment. The full written report takes a little longer; we give you a timeframe at your feedback session.
Fees and practicalities
Paying for your assessment.
Is the screening fee deducted from the assessment fee?
Yes. If a full assessment goes ahead, your £300 screening fee is deducted, so a standard adult assessment costs £2,200 in total. If assessment is not the right step for you, you pay only the screening fee. Full details are on our Fees page.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, payment plans are available; please just ask. Our standard schedule is the screening fee before the screening appointment, half of the assessment fee before your first assessment appointment, and the remainder before your feedback session.
Can I pause or stop partway through?
Yes, at any point, and you do not need to give a reason. If you withdraw, we share our preliminary impressions and any relevant recommendations based on what has been gathered. A formal diagnosis cannot be given without a complete assessment.
The outcome
Afterwards, whatever the conclusion.
What are the possible outcomes?
There are three, and each is treated with the same care. Autism is diagnosed: we explain how the evidence supports the conclusion and describe your autism profile in detail. Autism is not diagnosed: you still receive a thorough social communication and information-processing profile, with clinical recommendations. Or we cannot conclude for now: we explain our thinking plainly, suggest appropriate support, and advise whether it would be worth revisiting the question in future.
Will my diagnosis be recognised by my GP and the NHS?
All our reports and diagnostic outcomes have been accepted by GPs and the NHS to date. Our assessments follow NICE-aligned, gold-standard methodology. With your consent, we can write to your GP with the outcome.
Will the feedback session cover strategies for every difficulty, such as sleep?
We cover as much as we can, and honesty matters here: the assessment’s main task is to clarify whether autism explains your experiences. The feedback session cannot address every difficulty in depth, and some questions, for example around sleep or mental health, need separate investigation in their own right. Your report includes tailored recommendations as starting points, and post-diagnostic consultation is available afterwards, at an additional cost, for working on specific areas with clinicians who already know your profile.
What support is available after the assessment?
Post-diagnostic consultation and support are available at an additional cost, with clinicians who already know your profile. This can include making sense of your profile with the people around you, therapy, and workplace advice. See After Your Diagnosis.
Still wondering?
Ask us directly.
No question is too small. Write to us and a senior clinician replies within two business days.