Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment

Diagnosing autism can be difficult. It is possible to detect autism in a child’s early years, however it is not uncommon for children to be diagnosed in later years and often in their teens.

Whilst some people decide against an official diagnosis, it does offer some benefits, for example:

  • accessing specific supports and services to develop social skills and manage anxiety
  • joining the autism community and meeting like-minded people with common interests
  • parental access to autism support services and meeting other parents in similar situations
  • developing a better understanding of your autism and how it impacts you/your child

We are offering a multidisciplinary assessment service for children and adults with suspected autism.

  • In line with international best practice guidelines, a screening assessment is first recommended whereby a trained clinician administers the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) in a one-to-one setting with you/your child. The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured, standardised assessment used to accurately assess and diagnose autism across age, developmental level and language skills.
  • An in-depth, structured interview is conducted by a trained clinician with the child/adult’s parents/caregivers using the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R), a standardised interview focusing on an individual’s early development and social presentation.
  • A formal observation of the child in his/her natural environment is conducted by a trained clinician, generally in the child’s home or school environment. 
  • For adult assessments, additional information is gathered through informal meetings with the individual as well as administration of standardised questionnaires.
  • Assessment findings are combined to generate a multidisciplinary report outlining autism as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5 (DSM-5) criteria where appropriate.
  • Feedback is conducted with parents/caregivers with recommendations for onward referral to appropriate intervention and/or services and educational supports.

For more information please call 0871695720 or email rachelomahonyOT@gmail.com