This research explored parents' lived experience of the autism spectrum disorder assessment process when a diagnosis was "not" received. Six mothers and one stepfather were interviewed and transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The identified themes: 'My child is different', The emotional and psychological journey and Understanding the outcome, illustrated issues encountered by parents during the assessment process and parenting a child with autistic-like characteristics but without a valid label. As a previously understudied area, clinical implications at the professional, service and policy level are discussed.