Autism Assessments
Autism Assessments
Individuals are welcome to contact us to request an assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for a child or adult. Such assessments are conducted for either diagnostic purposes, or as a means to evaluate the current strengths and difficulties of a person with or without a formal diagnosis.
ASD assessment process
ASD assessment process
The First Step
At 'A Forward Step', you will be asked to attend a consultation session with our Autism Assessment Lead. Dr Harrison will explore your current concerns with you, and discuss your reasons for wishing to undertake an ASD assessment outside your local NHS service provision. If you are seeking an assessment for your child, it will be established via telephone whether they should, or should not attend the consultation session with you.
The consultation fee is £500. This fee includes a 3 hour session and the production of a written report, with recommendations.
As neurodevelopmental information is gathered during the consultation, if it is agreed that you are to progress to an ASD assessment, the £500 fee paid will be deducted from your ASD assessment fees.
The Next Step
At 'A Forward Step' our psychologists undertake a comprehensive set of assessments, evaluate the outcomes, and consider whether a diagnosis of ASD is, or is not appropriate. There are two key assessments that are used during this process; the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R), and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). Additional information may also be sourced (eg. from a school) to assist in the assessment process for children.
ADI-R: This assessment is effective in differentiating autism from other developmental disorders, and allows our clinicians to quantify identified autistic traits. It takes the form of an interview between one of our psychologists and a parent / caregiver who is familiar with the developmental history and current behaviour of the person being assessed. The ADI-R can only be conducted by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist who has undertaken additional specialist training.
ADOS-2: This involves direct observation of, and interaction with, the person being assessed. Different modules of the assessment are selected as appropriate to the individual's age, language skills, and developmental level. The ADOS-2 can only be conducted by clinical staff who have undertaken additional specialist training.
Once the assessments have been completed, the assessing team evaluate the gathered information, and produce a written report. This includes diagnostic information and recommendations where appropriate. This process takes approximately 3 weeks.
The Final Step
After you have been sent your report, you are asked to attend a follow-up appointment with your assessing psychologist (45 minutes). At this time you will discuss the outcome of the assessment. Where appropriate, psycho-education on ASD is given, as well as support in the form of sign-posting you to appropriate services.
We ask you to share your report with appropriate professionals (eg. GP / Paediatrician, School) however you are under no obligation to do so.
The ASD assessment fee range is
£1750 - £2250 (reduced to £1250 - £1750 once the consultation fee is deducted). Fees depend on criteria such as the age of the client.
Child assessments
Child assessments
Children between the ages of 6 and 17 can be assessed at 'A Forward Step'. It is important to note that parents / carers will be asked to contact their GP to access paediatric care, where specific clinical concerns are identified. 'A Forward Step' asks for your written consent to share any reports relating to a child with their GP.
Step by step details of the full assessment process are provided in the text column titled 'The ASD Assessment Process' (to the left).
Ideally, the parents or main caregivers of the child will undertake the ADI-R assessment. Your child will not
be present. The assessment will take several hours, however breaks can be taken.
Prior to the assessment, you will be advised as to what to expect on the day. You will also be asked to bring any items with you that may aid your memory of your child's developmental history, such as their formal records, a 'Baby Book' or a photo album.
In addition to the above, your child will undertake the ADOS-2 assessment with a psychologist. This will take approximately 90 minutes. Parents / caregivers will be asked to wait in a nearby room in many cases, however this is dependent on the child's age and abilities.
With child assessments, 'A Forward Step' ensure that sufficient detail is provided in your report in order that the results can be shared effectively with other professionals you may be working with (eg. in the NHS or in education). If you wish, you may give 'A Forward Step's' contact details to any NHS clinicians you are currently working with (or see in the next 2 years), in case they wish to liaise with your assessor regarding your report. This service is provided at no additional cost, as our ethos at 'A Forward Step' is to support our clients in moving forward with their clinical care, liaising with NHS professionals as appropriate.
Adult assessments
Adult assessments
Where possible, the assessment of an adult (of any age) follows the same process as for a child, as the ADOS-2 assessment comprises different modules for different ages and abilities.
It is recognised that this is not always possible in that the parent or childhood caregiver may not be available to participate in the ADI-R assessment with their grown-up child.
If an adult is in this position, there will be limitations with regard to the types of assessments that can be conducted. At 'A Forward Step', it will certainly be possible to evaluate your current strengths and difficulties in terms of traits of autism (through a Consultation - see left hand column), and we can make recommendations for you with regard to your current needs. However a formal diagnosic classification of 'ASD' will not be possible at 'A Forward Step'.
Adults who do not have a parent or childhood caregiver available to participate, and who wish to have a definitive formal diagnosis are advised to seek an assessment with a Psychiatrist, and/or through NHS services.
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