Remote Autism Assessments at Psyche Therapy Centre
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people and how they process their environment/ make sense of the world around them. This condition can overlap with or co-exist with other conditions, including OCD, BPD, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. As autism is a spectrum, autistic people can have challenges in various areas. This includes:
• Communication e.g., tone of voice, eye contact, auditory processing, speech, understanding implied meanings such as sarcasm
• Social Interaction e.g., challenges reading others and their emotions, getting overwhelmed by other people and needing time alone, enjoying things and behaving in ways against social norms
• Repetitive and restrictive behaviour e.g., needing routines, not enjoying unpredictability, stimming and repetitive movements
• Sensory differences e.g., over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, colours, temperatures, or pain to the point of extreme anxiety
• Special interests e.g., intense and highly focused interests often from a young age that provide autistic people substantial wellbeing and happiness.
• Anxiety e.g., in social situations or when facing change.
• Meltdowns and shutdowns e.g., when an autistic person becomes too overloaded they may experience either a meltdown, a temporary loss of behavioural control that may include shouting, screaming, crying, or physically lashing out, or shutdowns where an autistic person goes quiet or ‘switches off’.
What is an Autism Assessment? :
One of our clinicians will meet with you to gather information and conduct an in-depth evaluation to identify you fit the criteria related with Autism Spectrum Disorder. At Psyche Therapy Centre, our assessments are conducted fully remotely by experienced clinicians with specialist understanding of autism and how it can present differently in men, women, non-binary people, and children. We aim to give you a deeper insight into yourself so you can access support and better move forward with your life.
What diagnostic tools do we use? :
There are several types of psychological tests used to evaluate ASD, each designed to assess specific areas of functioning. These tests are often used in combination to provide a comprehensive evaluation. Some of the tests we most commonly use are:
• Diagnostic Interview: Assessment where a clinician asks the individual and their caregivers about their symptoms and experiences. This interview can help determine whether an individual meets the criteria for an ASD diagnosis.
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS2): To evaluate social interaction, communication, and play in children and adults with ASD.
• Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R): Structured interview with the parents of individuals who have been referred an ASD assessment to measure behaviour around reciprocal social interaction, communication and language, and patterns of behaviour.
• Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS): Assesses adaptive behaviour to understand an individual’s ability to function in daily life e.g., communication, socialization, and motor skills.
• Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ): Helps identify social communication deficits associated with ASD.
• Intelligence Tests: To measure cognitive abilities, understand strengths and weaknesses, and guide intervention planning.
• Behavioural Rating Scales: To assess behaviours and symptoms associated with ASD to understand your functioning in different settings.
Who do we provide Autism Assessments to?
We provide autism assessments to adults and children who:
• Feel they meet the diagnostic criteria and want to understand themselves better
• Believe they may be autistic due to family relations or other people’s insights
• Want to confirm a diagnosis so they can get the support and resources they need so they can move forward with their lives
Benefits of an ASD Assessment
• Self-Understanding and Compassion: You can become more able to understand the way you are and the ways you think and behave. This can allow you to have greater self-compassion as you can understand both your limits and your strengths and respect these more.
• Improved Relationships: Knowing that you are autistic can help other people in your life to understand you better and know how to support you. This can help build stronger relationships through new strategies and ways of interacting.
• Access to resources: A diagnosis can allow you to access more autism-focused resources and communities to support you moving forward
Our Autism Assessment Process
Step 1: Enquiry form
The first step towards getting an autism assessment is to complete our enquiry form to register your interest in an autism assessment. This will take a few details about you, such as your name and contact details, and we will follow up on this for the next step. We are able to have a quick turnaround on setting up appointments and can even get you booked in the same day.
Step 2: Initial Consultation
We will arrange an initial consultation with one of our practitioners. In this appointment you can ask any questions and discuss more about yourself.
Step 3: Diagnostic Evaluation
Through conversation and application of diagnostic tools we will get to know you and understand your experiences and behaviour whilst respecting you and your boundaries.
Step 4: Report
We will evaluate our findings from your autism assessment to confirm whether you meet the criteria for an ASD diagnosis. From this we will compile the findings of our assessment into a comprehensive report that can be used as evidence of diagnosis for employers, other NHS and healthcare professionals, and any other relevant bodies.
Step 5: Feedback and Support
We will signpost you to appropriate support organisations and tools and will provide a follow-up session to discuss how you are processing your diagnosis and your next steps. In this session, we can also arrange ongoing therapy with one of our practitioners to provide support after this process. We have therapists working in-person in Glasgow and remotely across the UK who are available to work with you.
Fees and Payment
• The fee for our autism assessment is offered a competitive rate.
• We offer 3 month, 6 month, or 12 month payment plans
• Further payment plans can be arranged as needed.
• Current clients of Psyche Therapy Centre will be given a 10% discount on both our ASD and ADHD assessments.
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