Autism Assessments
Having an autism assessment may come with mix of emotions for families. It may come with the hope of an answer or it may come with dread and worry and is therefore something that is often put off. I am all to aware that the waiting times for such assessments is ever increasing, leaving many people without an answer too long. I have also come across many 'quick' assessments which claim to be able to diagnose you or your child, based on limited information without consideration of the full picture. That's why in collaboration with a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Teacher, I have developed a bespoke multi-disciplinary assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder for children and adolescents and adults. All the clinicians have a wealth of experience of assessing and working with autism and are passionate about providing a thorough and thoughtful assessment, which considers all explanation for difficulties and assesses these over a range of settings. I have worked in both national specialist adult and child autism services, both assessing and providing treatment and am experienced in engaging young people who may find assessments challenging or overwhelming.
Assessments comprise of core assessments needed in considering a diagnosis of autism, in addition to further assessments if needed. We feel that it is important that the assessment is driven by individual need and a one-size assessment does not fit all.
The assessment process will include a combination of the following:
1) ADOS: An individual assessment with the young person using the Gold Standard assessment tool called the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).
2) A full developmental history of social communication difficulties and areas of concern.3) A detailed Speech and Language assessment, to unpick any difficulties and assesses the pragmatic, receptive and expressive language abilities, in addition to the more subtle social communication concerns (only if needed)
4) A school or work consultation and/or school observation if necessary.
5) Screening and consideration of any other difficulties, including mental health needs that may explain the presenting concerns.
6) Feedback and a full report including personalised recommendations.
7) We assess children and adults
Receiving a diagnosis (or not) is only the start, and I am passionate that young people should be supported through this to learn about their diagnosis and develop ways of managing. We are all too aware that services now diagnose and say goodbye and families are left with little in the way of support. We are therefore proud to also be able to offer post diagnostic support and work therapeutically with young people and adults following assessment if necessary; this could be speech and language therapy, psychological therapy or specialist teaching or a combination of these.
For further information please contact me, or click here to book an appointment.