A typical assessment includes the following steps;

Step 1: Introductory Consultation & Initial Screening

An introductory consultation is very important for intake and triage.  This is very helpful if you are unsure whether you or your child/young person needs a full neurodevelopmental assessment.  

This involves a current perspective interview/ mental health review, & preparation for the diagnostic assessments to follow, approx. 1 hour.

Step 2: Assessment Appointment(s)

Standardised and validated diagnostic assessment with specialist clinician.  This may include multiple appointments. 

ADI-R interview – approx. 2 hours

ADOS-2 – approx. 1 hour

Neurodevelopmental & cognitive assessment

Step 3: Formulation of Diagnosis and thorough feedback session, approximately 1 hour.

Step 4: Write up of detailed report. PDF of report also provided.

An Autism diagnosis can help a person, along with their families and/or partners better understand the ways in which a person with autism experiences and relates to their world.

Many inaccurate ideas of what Autism ‘looks like’ and ‘means’ are often based upon knowing someone with a diagnosis.  Each person has a unique presentation and experience of autism. In itself, Autism is a natural form of human variation. 

At its’ core, having Autism means having a different type of nervous system, and therefore one will experience, process and respond to the world differently from non-autistic people in numerous ways. 

As a chartered psychologist with the P.S.I. for over 20 yrs, our reports are in line with the requirements of the HSE, Dept. of Education & Health Care Providers. 

All assessment packages involve a comprehensive assessment informed by NICE & PSI guidelines. 

One factor that often influences the price is the amount of time spent on the assessment and report writing process.  Some companies offer assessments and reports that are quite brief, others are more in-depth and comprehensive.

The ADI-R and the ADOS-2, can take considerable time to carry out with the appropriate training.  Some companies offer a brief ADI-R or ADOS-2 informed assessment, which may be less expensive but will not have the same reliability.

At The Psychological Toolkit, we offer comprehensive assessments which include a current perspectives interview/mental health review, standardised and validated diagnostic assessments, screening questionnaires to consider co-occurring conditions, a thorough feedback session and a detailed report (incl. a PDF).