AUTISM ASSESSMENTS
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that impacts on how a person communicates with, and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them.
Autism is a spectrum condition that affects people in different ways. Adults and children living with ASD will experience a range of different strengths and difficulties, ranging from mild attributes to more severe or profound difficulties. However, all people with Autism show difference and experience difficulties in relation to social interaction, social communication, and social imagination. Some also have special areas of interest and display repetitive and restricted behaviours.
Children may show signs of Autism from a young age which can lead to early diagnosis. However, sometimes difficulties are not detected until adolescence or even adulthood. This is particularly true for females, who tend to mask their difficulties more easily than males.
Living with and managing ASD is unique to each individual, and some may feel they need no additional support. However, for others, completing an assessment for ASD may help individuals develop a better understanding of their strengths and how to better manage their difficulties. It may also help individuals access a greater level of support.
“I’m beautiful, not broken. Different not less. Challenged, not challenging. Overwhelmed, not spoiled. Autism is not a choice. However acceptance is”.
Who Are We?
We are a team of qualified Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals experienced in working with children, adult and family services within the NHS and local authority.
We are passionate about helping people of all ages and their families in understanding whether a diagnosis of ASD might help explain a person’s experiences, and use this information to make recommendations for future support and intervention.
What We Offer
At Hummingbird Psychology, we offer comprehensive ASD assessments to children, young people, and adults from the age of 4 years and above suspected of having ASD.
Our assessments are robust and carried out in accordance with best practice and guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), using ‘gold-standard’ assessment protocols. Our assessments are multi-disciplinary and undertaken by experienced clinicians who specialise in the area of neurodevelopment.
Our assessment process also fully complies with NICE Guidelines, which means there should be no problems with having a private diagnosis from us accepted by public authorities.
Why We Offer ASD Assessments
With increasingly long waiting lists in the NHS, we understand that it can be frustrating for individuals and families to feel like they do not have access to timely assessments. This can understandably lead to increased stress and anxiety for everyone concerned.
Our focus is to try and help meet the need of those who are struggling to access this service through the NHS, or other charity organisations, and would find it helpful to explore the difficulties they are experiencing.
What To Expect
Our assessments involve several different stages, which help us understand whether a person meets criteria for a diagnosis of ASD. These include direct clinical assessment and indirect information gathering and analysis.
The initial stage of our assessment is an initial consultation with one of our team, who will discuss with you your current concerns. As part of this consultation, we will ask you to complete Autism screening questionnaires to help us decide if a full ASD assessment is appropriate.
If we agree that a full assessment is indicated, there are generally three further stages to the assessment process.
Stage One – Clinical Interview
A comprehensive ADI-R informed clinical interview with a Clinical Psychologist to gather more information relating to current presentation and concerns, and to ascertain a detailed developmental history.
Stage Two – School/Employer Liaison and Information Gathering
For child assessments, your child’s nursery or school will be contacted (with your consent) and asked questions relating to their presentation within the school environment, including information relating to their academic achievement, social skills and interaction and emotional wellbeing. This will also include the completion of standardised measures. Similarly for adults, it can be helpful to speak with your employer (with your consent). For both child and adult assessments, we will also review any relevant reports completed by other professionals.
Stage Three – ADOS 2 Assessment
This is a specialist ‘gold standard’ diagnostic assessment carried out with the individual to consider their presentation against the criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis.
Following the above assessments, our multi-disciplinary team will meet for a diagnostic discussion, where individual strengths and difficulties are identified and to determine whether criteria for a diagnosis of ASD (in accordance with DSM-V) has been met.
This is followed by a feedback session with the Clinical Psychologist, where the outcome of the assessment is discussed and our recommendations are given, alongside information about relevant services, organisations, and literature.
What Does It Cost?
The cost of an ASD assessment is £1400.
Further assessment of cognitive function, speech and language, and sensory needs are optional and charged at an additional cost.
