About Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world. It is characterized by a wide range of traits, which can vary significantly from person to person. These traits may include differences in social communication, repetitive behaviours, and focused interests. People with autism may experience challenges in social situations, sensory sensitivities, or difficulties with change, but they may also have unique strengths, such as attention to detail, creativity, and a strong ability to focus on specific tasks.

Types of Autism

You might have come across autism being described as "Asperger’s Syndrome" or heard individuals referred to as "high functioning." You may also be familiar with autism being categorized as either "severe" or "mild." However, these labels and severity levels are often not very helpful, as they can vary depending on the individual’s circumstances and the context they are in.

The impact of a neurodevelopmental condition can change over time, and its impact is highly subjective—what one person finds significantly challenging may not be the same for someone else. "Functioning" refers to how the condition affects a person's ability to manage independence, engage in social interactions, and perform at work.

Understanding autism is crucial for providing the right support, education, and care. Early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference in helping individuals with autism thrive and reach their full potential.

Autism Assessments for Children

An autism assessment for children is a comprehensive process designed to understand a child’s unique behaviours, communication patterns, and developmental strengths and challenges. The assessment typically involves observing the child in different settings, gathering input from parents and teachers, and using standardized diagnostic tools. The goal is to identify whether the child shows signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to understand the specific ways in which ASD may be affecting their daily life. Early diagnosis is crucial as it allows for timely support and interventions, helping children reach their full potential.

An autism assessment helps clarify the child’s needs in areas such as communication, social interaction, and behaviour, and provides valuable insights into their strengths and areas for growth.

At Focused Care Psychology, we offer personalized, thorough autism assessments conducted by experienced professionals. We ensure a supportive, child-friendly approach to make the process as comfortable and informative as possible for both the child and their family.

What to Expect?

There are two different assessment tools that we use at Focused Care Psychology:

1. ADOS

The assessment will involve your child seeing a clinician may be online, face-to-face or a combination of both.

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a structured, play-based assessment used to observe social interactions, communication, and behaviours in children. It involves a series of activities designed to elicit responses that help clinicians assess key features of autism. The ADOS provides valuable insights into how a child communicates and behaves in real-world situations. It is typically conducted by a trained professional as part of a comprehensive autism evaluation.

2. ADI-R

The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is typically completed without direct involvement of the child. It is a structured interview conducted with the parents or primary caregivers of the child. The ADI-R gathers detailed information about the child’s early developmental history and current behaviours, particularly in areas such as communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviours—core features of autism.

Receiving an Outcome

Once a decision is made, you will be scheduled for a feedback meeting, typically held online, with your assessment coordinator. During this meeting, they will share whether your child has been given a diagnosis. If no diagnosis is made, the coordinator will explain that the challenges your child is facing may be due to other factors and may suggest alternative support options. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions about the outcome. This meeting usually lasts up to 30-50 minutes. Following the feedback session, you will receive a full report within two weeks.

Autism Assessment for Adults

You may want to better understand longstanding challenges with social interactions, communication, or sensory sensitivities. If you are seeking autism assessment for yourself, we have got you. At Focused Care Psychology, we also offer autism assessments for adults. The process typically includes interviews, questionnaires, and sometimes direct observation.

ASD diagnosis can offer you clarity on difficulties with social interactions, communication or sensory processing. Once diagnosed, you may be able to access the support you need and the resources that will equip you to better manage your daily life.

If you are not sure yet whether you want a full assessment you can come to us for a screening appointment in the first instance.

What to Expect?

1. ADOS

The ADOS for adults is a structured assessment used to observe and evaluate social communication, behaviour, and sensory responses in adults who may be on the autism spectrum. It includes a series of tasks and conversations that help clinicians identify autism-related traits such as difficulties with social interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours.

The adult version of the ADOS is tailored to be relevant to adult experiences, such as work, relationships, and daily functioning. It is typically conducted by trained professionals, providing valuable insights into whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate.

2. ADI-R

For adults, the ADI-R gathers detailed information about early developmental history and current behaviours related to social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours, all of which are key characteristics of autism.

In an adult assessment, the interview is usually conducted with someone who knows the individual well, such as a family member or close friend. This helps clinicians build a comprehensive understanding of the person’s history, symptoms, and how they function in everyday life. While the ADI-R is not always used for adults, it can be helpful in confirming or supporting an autism diagnosis when combined with other assessment tools.

Receiving the outcome

Once a decision has been made, you will receive an appointment for a feedback meeting which is usually held online. This will be with your assessment coordinator, and they will share with you whether there is a diagnosis or not.

If you don’t get a diagnosis, it may be that the challenges you have been having in your life are caused by something different, the assessment coordinator will explain this to you and may suggest other sources of support that may be helpful to you. At this appointment you can also ask questions about the outcome. This appointment is usually up to 30-60 minutes long. Finally, after your feedback session, you can expect a full report within two weeks.

Pricing

The service fee for an Autism assessment is €2000. Additional support services are available upon request.

You can make use of the free 15-minute consultation, if you have doubts on how to proceed.