Assessment for Autism

Autism is a neuro-developmental difference that has various impacts on the individual’s development. All Autistic individuals are unique, with their own strengths and areas of challenge. Some Autistic individuals find it challenging to make or keep friends, even when they really want to. Some Autistic individuals find it challenging to understand communication such as a conversation or non-verbal gestures. Some Autistic individuals are very sensitive to sensory stimulation such as touch, noise or light. Most Autistic individuals experience challenges coping in a world which does not always understand or accept their differences.

Assessing your child for Autism will help to identify or clarify your child’s individual strengths and areas of challenge. This knowledge can then be used to help advocate for your child’s needs, as well as identifying any areas in which your child may benefit from support.

An assessment might be requested when you have noticed differences, or have had ongoing concerns about your child's general development or progress at school or home. There might have been little things happening over the years with their social interactions, behaviour, learning, or other areas of development.

Sometimes other family members or school teachers may have also raised concerns with you.

Parents often request an assessment when their usual parenting tricks aren't working any more - they simply don't know what to try next. An assessment can help to untangle what is happening with your child's development, and to identify ways to support them at school or home.

What is involved in an assessment?

  • Autism assessments are completed with at least two members of our team. This provides a multi-disciplinary perspective to explore your child’s general development, language, social interactions and emotional development.

  • The first step is to arrange an initial consultation with one of our team to discuss your questions and concerns. We will discuss your child's developmental history. Copies of previous reports will be requested (if available) - these help to provide additional background information and context of past developmental or behavioural needs.

  • You and your child’s teacher will be given some questionnaires to complete. These will ask questions about your child's skills at home, and about characteristics that might be related to Autism. Questionnaires may include one or all of:

    • Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2)

    • Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2)

    • Conners-4

    • MASC-2

  • Sometimes a cognitive and / or academic assessment will be completed to explore your child's problem solving or language skills. This is particularly helpful if there are also learning differences at school.

  • Your child will be visited at school, and your child's teacher will be asked for their views.

  • Sometimes you and your child will be visited at home.

  • Your child will be invited to take part in the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosis of the Autism Spectum (MIGDAS-2), play-based assessment designed to directly explore Autistic characteristics.

What happens after the assessment?

After all information has been collected, a comprehensive report will be written. A meeting will be arranged with you to discuss the assessment and any outcomes. You will receive two a comprehensive report which can be shared with school or other practitioners if you choose to do so.

You will receive the report 2-3 weeks after the assessment (we will often meet to discuss the assessment before the report has been completed).

There are a number of possible outcomes from the assessment:

  • Confirmation of a current diagnosis, with updated information

  • Provision of a new diagnosis, for example Autism, ADHD, Specific Learning Disability (Dyslexia / Dysgraphia); Intellectual Disability; Giftedness.

  • A diagnosis is not always made - sometimes further information is required, or the assessment shows that a diagnosis is not appropriate.

  • Recommendations for further assessment (often with a different professional such as a Speech Language Therapist or Occupational Therapist) may be made if a separate issue is identified during the assessment. This may include challenges with language or motor skills that cannot be assessed by a Psychologist.

  • Further recommendations will also be made in the report. This may include options to access individualised support for your child or you, recommendations for school.

  • If a diagnosis is made, referrals will be made to other support agencies, for example the Autism Co-ordinator (CDHB), or LifeLinks.

How much does it cost?

The cost for the assessment is inclusive of:

  • Initial discussions (either in person or phone)

  • Administration of the assessments

  • School/home visits

  • Teacher interview

  • Provision of the reports

  • Feedback and explanation of the reports

A full assessment including all components outlined is $1900 incl GST. Full payment is required at this time.

If there are also questions related to learning needs, additional assessments to explore cognitive development (WISC-V) and academic achievement (WIAT-III) will also be completed. The total cost for these assessments, in addition to the assessment outlined above, is $2590 incl GST.

Any further assessment which may be required will be discussed with you and quoted separately.

Attendance at any follow up meetings, for example with school, is charged separately at a rate of $185 (incl GST) / meeting.