Last February, I shared that Logan’s school has suggested that he may have autism (I said Aspergers at the time but have since learned the term is no longer used). We were referred to CAMHS but warned that it was likely a two-year wait. It seemed like such a long time to wait in a child’s life. Then, of course, lockdown happened and the waiting time became extended even further. While I was looking online for charity support for Logan in the absence of any medical support, CAMHS sent us a letter and asked if we could like to have Logan diagnosed via a service called Healios. The real appeal of using this service was a significant reduction in waiting time.
What is Healios?
Healios is supported by the NHS, but it is an online service. All of the assessments are completed by a video call with a trained clinician.
We had some concerns as parents when we first considered this. Would Logan be ‘autistic enough’ via a video camera and that things wouldn’t be picked up? There was very little information online, other than Healios’ website about what it was like to use the service.
I had a chat with the school’s SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator) and she recommended them highly. Her guidance was that doing an online assessment in the comfort of your own home was less stressful for the child. I also have a friend who is a Psychologist and I asked if she had heard of Healios, she didn’t, but asked around with some colleagues and came back and told me they were highly recommended, so we decided to go ahead.
Healios Autism Assessment Review
The very big appeal of using Healios was the massive cut in waiting list time. We sent the forms to agree to go via Healios in September, we had our appointments in early October and diagnosis by the end of October which was amazing. Especially when we thought we were looking at least two years.
Our appointments spanned two days and were about 5-6 hours in total. They were all completed via video call, they were pretty flexible with times and I was able to organise them around childcare arrangements. Being conducted from home meant it was easier to fit around work too.
There were sessions with us and Logan, sessions with just Logan where a parent was allowed to observe but not intercede and then a 2-3 hour session with just parents.
They were intense especially the session with just the parents. My advice would be in preparation to go back through old photos, your Facebook memories and anything that will help remind you of how your child was like when they were older. Logan was nearly 9 when we did the diagnosis, and we did a lot of focusing on ages 2-3 years and 4-5 years and it really helped that I had done this and made notes in preparation, with an older child I would say this would be even more essential.
The clinicians that I worked with were supportive and kind and were really good with Logan. The session with Logan was lighthearted, they looked at pictures and book and chatted and played hangman. So it wasn’t scary for him in the least.
When the session had ended we had time for questions and told that the assessments would be done by 3 independent clinicians. We were told this process could take 6 weeks, but was actually much quicker for us. We were given a call with Logan’s diagnosis within a week and sent through a detailed report for us to read through and digest. At the same time, a follow-up video call was arranged for us to talk through the report a week later to give us time to digest it.
The follow up video call gave us time to talk through the report, ask any questions about the diagnosis and what it might mean. Check there weren’t any inaccuracies on the report. We were also provided with a document full of support resources – books to read, books for Logan, charities and parenting courses we might be interested in.
Healios Experience Summary
All in all, the process was a really positive experience one, and I would definitely recommend Healios if you were offered it for your child. My understanding is that not all NHS trusts have approved it, so it depends what area you are in as to whether it is offered to you as a service. But the reduction in waiting list was massive and got us a diagnosis to get Logan the support he needed. Doing the assessments in the home environment was positive too and also meant less time was wasted waiting and travelling and more importantly it wasn’t a stressful experience for our son.
The only thing I would have liked at the end was some follow up support direct from Healios on parenting and therapy (Logan suffers from anxiety). But when I asked about this, it isn’t currently offered as it wasn’t currently funded.
We had an awful experience. The first session was so stressful as the tech was not working and the lady kept blaming our end when it wasn’t and the report is so full of untruths and inaccuracies I can’t bare the final meeting.
I’m really sorry to hear this. On your last appointment, you are given the opportunity to challenge anything on the report you do not believe to be true. As there were a couple of minor things on ours. I hope it works out for you.
I complained before the last appointment. I was told I was being referred back to Camhs on Monday then on Friday I went to check the forum and they have signed us off without us seeing the new report which has lots of untrue statements in the parents section so it is not reflective of my child at all. I would not recommend them all. It’s been stressful from start (technology didn’t work but the assessor carried on anyway when she couldn’t hear me) until the end. It’s been very distressing.
The report better not have been shared yet as I have escalated my complaint.
I’m sorry to hear this as that was not my experience. I hope things got resolved.
My 11 year old son is being tested with Healios. What kind of questions should I be prepared for? Thank you
It’s hard to remember all of them. They focused a lot on the toddler and 4/5 years so I found looking at photos and going through my Facebook of this time really helpful. I remember questions like did your toddler hold up their arms to be picked up and point at things being one of them. I do remember my husband and I really had to think about a few of them.
I am having my 3rd and final online appointment tomorrow, this is our feedback session. My 14 year old daughter was assessed by Healios last month and we finally have a diagnosis for her.
I was thrilled when we were offered the assessment online, mainly because my daughter struggles leaving the house. She found this process a lot easier to get through because she felt safe and settled here at home.
Personally I found the staff and the whole experience very positive and I can’t speak highly enough of the professionals that carried out my daughter’s assessment.
I would urge anyone being offered this service to go ahead. If I’d chosen to wait the 2 years I’d been told it would take for my daughter’s assessment, she’d have been in the middle of her GCSE exams. I can only begin to imagine how traumatic this would have been for her.
Thanks for this. As an autistic mum I have been looking for information on how it might go and what it could be like, what questions might be asked, etc. I need a plan as much as my son does being autistic myself. This review has been really helpful so thank you. Our first appointment is expected in the next few weeks x
Hi, thanks for sharing your experience. I have been offered Healios for my child but my concern is that they use DSM-5 criteria not the WHO recommended ISD-11, which may pick up more subtle presentations of autism. I am also unsure that they can get a full picture without seeing the child in person. I’d be particularly interested how this has worked for girls where there may be a high degree of masking?