What to Expect
What to expect from online appointments with Healios
This page explains what to expect from your online autism assessment, ADHD assessment or mental health support with Healios.
It is written for:
- parents and carers whose child has been referred to Healios
- young people who will be attending online appointments.
Because services can work slightly differently depending on where you live and which NHS team you are with, this is a general guide. Your appointment letters, emails and texts will always include the most accurate information for your referral.
Before your online appointment
You will receive clear information
Before your first appointment, you will receive information from Healios that explains:
- the type of appointment you have (for example, autism assessment, ADHD assessment, mental health support or post-assessment support)
- the date and time of your online session
- how to log in to the Healios platform
- who to contact if you have questions.
For NHS referrals, you may also receive letters or emails from your local NHS Services, Health Board or ICB explaining that Healios is providing part of your care.
You may be asked to complete forms or questionnaires
You may be asked to complete forms or questionnaires before your session. These help the clinician understand your situation and prepare so you can make the most of your time together.
They might ask about:
- current challenges or concerns, including your or your child’s safety
- medical, educational or developmental history
- family situation or support network
- any adjustments you or your child may need to feel comfortable online.
You will also be asked to complete some standardised questionnaires ahead of your appointment (such as the strengths and difficulties questionnaire). These are very important questionnaires and should be completed by the relevant person ahead of the appointment.
Some forms are completed by parents or carers, some by young people themselves, and sometimes both. We recommend logging into your dashboard a couple of days before your appointment to allow you time to read and complete these.
Completing these questionnaires is often essential to your ongoing care. If you are not sure how to answer a question, you can contact us using the details in your welcome information.
Getting ready for an online session
Your space
You do not need special equipment to attend your session, but you should :
- find a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable
- set up your device so that the clinician can see you clearly on the screen
- minimise background noise if you can
- let others in the home know you have an appointment, so you are not disturbed.
For children and young people, we recommend that a familiar adult joins the session with them initially, even if they are not in the room for the whole time.
Your device and connection
Most people join using:
- a laptop
- a tablet
You will need:
- a stable internet connection
- a working camera, microphone and speakers (or headphones).
Our Your care journey page and your welcome information explain how to log in and join your appointment.
If your internet connection is unstable, your clinician will try to reconnect or give you a call and agree what the next steps are.
Who will be in the appointment?
For children and young people, appointments may involve:
- the child or young person
- one or more parents or carers
- a Healios clinician (for example, psychologist, mental health practitioner or other specialist).
Sometimes the clinician may speak to:
- parents or carers first
- the child or young person separately
- everyone together at different points.
This will be explained at the start of the session. If you have any questions or would like a parent or carer to remain throughout, you can discuss this with your clinician. We want to support you to feel comfortable during your sessions.
The clinician
Who you see depends on the type of appointment. Your session may be led by:
- a psychologist
- a mental health practitioner
- another specialist clinician, depending on your needs and pathway.
All clinicians working with Healios are trained to deliver support safely online and to follow relevant clinical governance and safeguarding standards.
What happens in an online appointment?
Online autism assessments – what to expect
If you or your child is having an online autism assessment, you can usually expect:
- questions about development, communication, interaction and patterns of behaviour
- discussion of strengths as well as challenges
- opportunities to share examples from home, school or social situations
- space to ask questions about autism and the assessment process.
For some assessments, clinicians may use structured tools, observation tasks or information from schools and other professionals, depending on what has been agreed with your local NHS team.
Online ADHD assessments – what to expect
If you or your child is having an online ADHD assessment, you can usually expect:
- questions about attention, focus, activity levels and impulsivity
- discussion of how things are going at home or in relationships
- an exploration of both strengths and difficulties
- space to talk about how ADHD traits have affected everyday life.
Clinicians may also consider information from parents, carers, schools or other professionals, in line with NHS guidance and local pathways.
Online mental health assessment - what to expect
If someone is referred for an online mental health assessment, the appointment may focus on:
- understanding what has been happening recently and what feels most difficult right now
- exploring how thoughts, feelings and behaviours may be linked
- identifying what support might help and what next steps could look like.
Online mental health support sessions – what to expect
If someone is referred for ongoing online mental health support, sessions may focus on:
- understanding current difficulties and what may be contributing to them
- developing practical strategies or tools that may help
- setting goals and reviewing progress over time
- involving parents, carers or other supporters where appropriate.
The exact approach will be adapted to each person and the service they are referred to, based on a shared understanding of their needs.
How long do sessions last?
Session length can vary depending on the type of appointment and the local pathway. Your appointment letter or email should tell you how long to allow.
As a general guide:
- Mental health assessments are usually around 90 minutes.
- Ongoing mental health support sessions are usually around 50 minutes (although sometimes they may be longer, depending on the support being provided).
- Other appointment types (for example, autism or ADHD assessments, feedback appointments or post-diagnostic support) can vary in length and may take place over more than one session.
Care is adapted to the individual. Our clinicians are experienced in engaging people online, and sessions can be adjusted where needed (for example, with breaks, shorter appointments or other practical changes).
If you are unsure how long to allow, please use our Contact page.
Post-assessment support
Some people also receive post diagnosis support after an autism or ADHD assessment. These sessions may:
- help you understand the outcome of your diagnostic assessment.
- focus on strengths and how to build on them
- explore practical strategies at home or school
Privacy and confidentiality
Healios uses a secure online platform to deliver appointments. We:
- protect your information in line with UK data protection law
- limit access to your records to staff who are involved in your care
- share information with NHS teams according to agreed pathways and legal requirements.
For more detail, you can visit our Safety, compliance and integration page.
Safeguarding and risk
All of our clinicians are trained to recognise and respond to safeguarding and risk concerns during online appointments. If a clinician is worried about someone’s safety, they will follow our safeguarding processes, which may include:
- talking to you about their concerns and supporting you to develop a safety plan
- contacting parents or carers where appropriate
- linking in with your local NHS, social care or emergency services if needed.
If you are worried about your immediate safety (or the safety of your child) or you feel at risk, contact urgent local or national services here.
Quick answers: what to expect with Healios
Is an online autism or ADHD assessment as good as face to face?
Online assessments are designed to follow clinical guidance and governance standards and are delivered by trained clinicians. Your local NHS team will only use online autism and ADHD assessments that meet their safety and quality expectations.
Can my child or I have someone with us during the appointment?
Often, yes. Children and young people are usually seen with a parent or carer involved in some way. It is helpful for the parent/carer to be present for at least part of the initial assessment, if the young person is comfortable with this.
If something goes wrong with the technology
Sometimes technology does not work as expected. If:
- your screen freezes
- your internet connection drops
- your sound or video stops working,
your clinician will try to reconnect or will telephone you and agree what to do next. This might include:
- trying again within the same time slot
- rearranging the appointment if needed.
If you are cut off and cannot reconnect, please follow the instructions in your appointment email or contact us using the details provided.
What if I feel nervous about being on camera?
It is normal to feel anxious before an appointment. Clinicians are used to this and will:
- explain what will happen
- check how you are feeling
- go at a pace that feels manageable and support you to feel comfortable
You can talk about any worries at the start of the session. Being able to see you on the camera provides the clinician with important information as they can see your facial expressions and often can help them to understand you better. We understand this can feel strange at times, but we are here to help you and will not judge.