Adult Autism Assessments: Get Clarity and Support from UK Clinical Experts

Help for Psychology offers an independent assessment and diagnosis service for adults who would like to explore if they are autistic including, autistic with an extreme demand avoidant profile.

We offer two different assessments for adults. The first is a diagnostic opinion, which is aimed at adults who merely wish to understand themselves better. The other is a full multi-disciplinary assessment following NICE Guidelines, which is more suitable for adults who may wish to access local services for support post diagnosis.

It is important to note that, unlike some autism screening tools, which consist of limited questions, our screening does take longer to complete as it goes into a lot more depth. This is so we can gain a better picture of the individual rather than just providing well-used generic questions linked to Autism, some of which are now out of date.

Autism is on a spectrum, so it is misleading to think all autistic adults will present in the same way. If we see very few, or indeed no, signs of possible autism, we will inform you. Our screening and consultation process is to help you avoid paying for an assessment if a diagnosis is ultimately highly unlikely.

The one-hour consultation is only offered as an option, as some people prefer to book themselves straight in for an assessment following the initial screen, particularly if we see strong evidence of possible autism. However, we have introduced the optional one-hour consultation, priced at £100, just to ensure that a formal assessment is the most appropriate route to take, particularly if we are only seeing some possible evidence, rather than strong possible evidence, of autism at the screening stage.

Ethically it is very important to us that people avoid spending money on assessments if it is highly unlikely that they will receive a formal diagnosis. Therefore if we feel after the initial screen, and consultation, that a diagnosis of autism is very unlikely, we would advise accordingly. If we feel an assessment is appropriate, and the individual books a formal assessment with us, we provide a discount on the assessment price, which equates to 50% of the cost of the initial one-hour consultation.

This involves a shorter assessment and takes place with a Clinical Psychologist, and includes the following:

• The taking of a full developmental history
• Carrying out a sensory and communication screen
• Providing a diagnostic opinion and brief report.

Please note – a diagnostic opinion is aimed at those individuals who are looking for a better understanding of the way they present. It does not provide a formal diagnosis.

(Available with both a full assessment and a diagnostic opinion)

• Cognitive Assessment – using the WAIS-IV A cognitive assessment is not an essential part of an autism assessment but it can be very useful. Most adults have reasonably similar abilities in the different areas of the assessment (e.g. verbal and non-verbal reasoning, working memory and processing speed). Many individuals on the autistic spectrum will have an uneven or ‘spiky’ profile of strengths and difficulties. Some may be extremely able verbally but struggle in many other areas. They may have difficulties retaining and manipulating information or copying information off the board. Others may have significant language difficulties but process non-verbal information much more efficiently. Results of a cognitive assessment can be shared with college or university tutors to support a request for additional support, or with employers to explain why certain tasks may be difficult.

• The Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS™ – III) – The ABAS™ is a questionnaire based assessment, which provides a comprehensive, norm-referenced assessment of the adaptive skills of an individual. Adaptive skills, as measured by the ABAS™, are defined as practical, everyday skills required to function and meet environmental demands, including the skills necessary to effectively and independently take care of oneself and the skills necessary to interact with other people. Ten specific Adaptive Skills are measured by the ABAS™; Communication, Community Use, Functional Academics, Home Living, Health and Safety, Leisure, Self-Care, Self-Direction, Social skills and Work. Measurement of an individual’s adaptive or functional skills is an important part of a diagnostic assessment, alongside the measurement of cognitive skills, as it indicates an individual’s level of actual disability in everyday life.

So why choose a private assessment?

• You will be seen more quickly. We can usually offer an appointment within a maximum of three months (sometimes much sooner).
• Gaining access to a comprehensive, NICE -compliant assessment provides the option of tailoring certain aspects of your assessment to meet your specific needs (for example, identifying reasonable adjustments in the workplace). All our clinicians have extensive experience working in diagnostic services.
• You will receive comprehensive feedback about your assessment and a detailed report (with recommendations) that is specifically tailored to your needs.
• Our experienced clinicians can also consider other co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, and we can refer onwards within our extensive team should you wish to discuss mental health issues or medication further. We can also offer a range of therapeutic interventions after a diagnosis.
• Our reports can be used to support workplace needs. We have frequently received praise for the depth and comprehensiveness of the information contained in our reports, and our helpful suggestions for support.
• We have a choice of two clinics where we can offer flexible appointment slots to accommodate travel time to and from the clinic and to help manage any anxiety you may feel about attending an assessment. We have the time to create a welcoming and low-arousal environment.
• Many people have concerns that a private diagnosis won’t be accepted by either the NHS or the Local Authority. As a recognised provider of services to the NHS in certain parts of the country and various Local Authorities across the country, we are very confident that our assessment reports will be fully accepted.