Seeking a diagnosis
Understanding assessments, reports and what the words mean — before, during and after.
40 free resources
Autism information
Signs of autism, how to get a diagnosis, and support — what autism is and isn't.
ADHD information
ADHD symptoms, diagnosis pathways, treatments and support for children.
Dyslexia information for families
Dyslexia information, signs, assessment guidance and support for families and schools.
Disability advice & helpline
Free disability advice, family services and the Scope helpline.
Learning Disability Helpline
Free information and advice on learning disability via Mencap's Learning Disability Helpline.
ADHD and autism: the overlap explained
Research charity explainer on how autism and ADHD differ and overlap (AuDHD), the shared traits, and how often the two co-occur.
ADHD in children and young people
NHS overview of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD signs in children, how diagnosis works, and the assessment pathway.
ADHD in Children - NHS Overview
Official NHS guide to ADHD in children covering symptoms, getting a diagnosis and treatment options, written for UK parents.
ADHD information and helpline for families
Contact's ADHD hub for parents of disabled children, with a free UK helpline (0808 808 3555), parent guides and links to specialist support.
Autism assessments and diagnosis in England (factsheet)
Free factsheet explaining the autism assessment pathway in England, why timely diagnosis matters and what to do if you face long delays.
Autistic women and girls
Why autism often looks different and is missed in girls and women, covering masking, social presentation and the diagnostic gap that delays support.
Autistica Tips Hub app
Free iOS/Android app of evidence-based, autistic-led tips covering diagnosis, wellbeing and everyday life, designed by and for the autistic community.
Cerebra DLA Guide: step-by-step help with the form
Free question-by-question guide to completing a child's DLA claim form, with tips, example wording and how to appeal (England and Wales).
Cerebra parent guides library
Free, downloadable evidence-based parent guides on autism, behaviour, sleep, anxiety and legal rights for families of children with brain conditions.
Feelings diary booklet (printable)
Free printable diary where a child logs the time, emotion and reason plus a 1-5 intensity scale; useful evidence of patterns ahead of an assessment.
Free ADHD Booklets for Parents, Children and Teenagers
A library of free downloadable ADHD booklets from a UK charity, including parent, child and teenager guides, plus planners and EHCP fact sheets.
Help and support for autistic people and their families
NHS hub signposting free UK support for parents of autistic children: GP and local autism teams, councils, schools, and national charities.
Help and support (Parent to Parent service & directory)
NAS support hub with the Parent to Parent emotional support line (trained parent volunteers) and the UK-wide Autism Services Directory for local help.
How to get an autism assessment
NHS guidance on speaking to your GP to get referred for an autism assessment for a child or adult, including choosing your NHS service in England.
How to request an autism assessment (what to say to your GP)
Step-by-step guide on asking a GP for an autism referral, what to take to the appointment, and the pathways across England, Wales, Scotland and NI.
M-CHAT-R/F toddler autism screening questionnaire
The free, validated 20-question M-CHAT-R/F autism screening tool for toddlers aged 16-30 months, with scoring and next-step guidance.
NHS Right to Choose for ADHD Assessment
Free guide and postcode tool explaining your legal Right to Choose your NHS ADHD assessment provider in England to cut waiting times.
NICE Guidance on ASD Signs and Symptoms (0-19)
Printable PDF based on NICE guidance setting out autism signs and symptoms by area and age (0-19) to help parents spot early indicators.
Occupational Therapy for Sensory Processing Differences
NHS page explaining how children's OT supports sensory processing differences and who can make a referral, with a free self-led offer.
Right from the Start parent toolkit
Free toolkit with printable checklists for the early autism journey, including a GP appointment checklist and one-page profile (last updated 2020).
Right to Choose letter to GPs (PDF template)
A ready-to-use letter template explaining NHS Right to Choose that you can give your GP to request an ADHD assessment with a chosen provider.
Sensory Behaviour Checklist
Free downloadable NHS checklist to help parents notice and record their child's sensory behaviours before an occupational therapy session.
Signs of autism in children
Official NHS list of autism signs in younger and older children, grouped by communication, play and sensory, plus how signs differ in girls.
Signs of autism in children
NHS plain-English list of early autism signs in children, grouped by communication, behaviour and sensory differences, with what to do next.
Signs that a child or adult may be autistic
Plain-English rundown of autism signs across communication, behaviour, routines and sensory differences, with notes on how presentation varies.
Speech Sound Development Chart (by Age)
Free NHS one-page chart showing which speech sounds children typically master at each age stage, with example words and common sound errors.
Speech Sounds: Ages Children Say Each Sound
Charity guide showing the ages English-speaking children usually master each speech sound, helping parents judge if their child's speech is on track.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
Free, widely-used parent questionnaire on a 2-17 year old's emotions, behaviour and attention; free to download for families and non-profits.
Support for families
Free parent-carer support from a UK autism charity: the Talk about Autism online community and a parent toolkit covering diagnosis and supporting under-5s.
Symptoms of ADHD in Children - NHS
NHS list of the signs of ADHD in children across inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness - a reliable free reference before seeing your GP.
Transition to Adulthood in England: Factsheet for Parents
Free factsheet explaining what transition to adulthood involves for children with learning difficulties, covering EHC plans and mental capacity.
Understanding and Supporting My Child's ADHD (Parent Booklet)
A free printable booklet for parents explaining what ADHD is and practical ways to support your child at home and school.
Waiting times for autism, ADHD and neurodevelopmental assessments
Official report with data on how long children wait for autism and ADHD assessments in England, useful when chasing or escalating a referral.
What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?
Clear explainer of DLD with free info sheets, a short film and videos covering what it is, its impact and how to get help, from the awareness campaign.
Worried About Your Child's Speech & Language
NHS guidance for parents worried about a child not talking or not understanding, with red flags and practical next steps for each concern.
More along the way
Links to external organisations are provided for information. Remarkable Minds isn't responsible for the content of external sites, and a listing here isn't an endorsement.
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