Autism Assessments for Adults
What is autism?
Autism is a neurotype that affects approximately 1 in 40 people. It impacts the way you engage in social situations, how you communicate, how you deal with sensory experiences, and how you interact with your environment. Autistic people have strengths as well as challenges, and there are lots of different ways to be autistic beyond the stereotype.
Why have an autism assessment with us?
If you have been wondering whether an autism diagnosis fits for you, you may well have already done your research online to try and figure it out. There are reputable online self-assessment questionnaires you can use to explore the possibility that you may be autistic. Using solid evidence-based sources to research autism is a good way to develop your understanding of the neurotype and also of yourself.
For some people self-diagnosis may be all that you need, and you can feel comfortable that this is a valid approach. However, a professional assessment with a psychologist may be useful if you are wanting to have a comprehensive understanding of your particular strengths and challenges. It is particularly useful if you are experiencing a complex combination of both neurodiversity and mental health issues. An assessment can help you to understand the distinctions between the different conditions and the best ways to treat each of them. It may also give some answers as to why previous treatment strategies haven’t been effective.
Furthermore, for undiagosed autistic adults the issues are complicated by the likelihood that for much of your life you have been misunderstood, given the message that your differences are unacceptable, or have been expected to mask autism in order to blend into the neurotypical world. This means that it is sometimes difficult to trust your own experience, leading you to second-guess yourself or to feel shame or failure regarding your struggles. An autism assessment with our psychologist is an opportunity to unpack some of these issues and develop more helpful ways of seeing yourself.
FAQ
-
The most crucial part of the assessment is an extended interview with you, which will take place across several sessions for a total of approximately 3-4 hours. In the clinical interview your psychologist will gain a deep understanding of your strengths and challenges, both now and when you were a child.
We will also gather additional information such as:
A one-hour interview with an ‘informant’ - someone who knows you well such as a parent.
You’ll be asked to complete a number of questionnaires and screening tools.
We’ll review any documentation such as previous psychological reports.
The specific steps taken during the assessment are flexible and depend on the complexity of your situation. If you feel that there’s no one in your current life who would be able to act as an informant for you, we’ll discuss alternatives. We don’t want anyone to be excluded on that basis.
-
The report will clearly state your diagnosis (as determined by the assessment) and will give details about how these conclusions were made. It will detail both your strengths and your support needs, and will give recommendations about the specific types of supports that could help you.
-
The total cost of the assessment typically varies between $2800 and $3080. Please note that this approximation is the cost before any eligible rebates are applied, and the complexity of your situation will influence the overall total cost.
The assessment usually involves 5-6 hours of face-to-face assessment and feedback which costs $280 per hour. The exact number of face-to-face hours may vary depending on your needs. There is also a fixed cost for the indirect work and report writing of $1400. These two costs make up your total.
-
The simple answer to this is ‘no’.
Your assessment is confidential and your psychologist will provide you with a comprehensive report at the end of it. It is up to you to decide if you want to share that information and in what circumstances.After you receive the diagnosis, you may need to take some time to come to terms with it and figure out how you feel about it. In addition, the reality is that there is still a lot of stigma and false information about autism in our society and there are some people who will not understand your diagnosis.
By the same token, it is also true that being fully known is healing and there may be people in your life who will understand you better once they understand this aspect of your life.
-
If you believe that you may also have ADHD, talk with your psychologist about it before your assessment begins. You have some choices about how to proceed.
You may wish to pursue an ADHD diagnosis with a medical professional who can also prescribe medication after your autism assessment is complete.
If you want your psychologist to assess for both autism and ADHD this can also be done - your psychologist will discuss with you the additional costs involved.