ASC ASSESSMENTS
Gold-Standard Autism assessments
in Wimbledon, Epsom, and online for children, adolescents and adults
What is Autistic Spectrum Condition?
Undiagnosed, people on the Autistic Spectrum are largely misunderstood, and others may experience them as blunt or socially awkward.
A lot of energy is taken up in ‘masking’ and trying to fit into what is seen as socially acceptable, which comes at a cost. The most common strengths and challenges are outlined below:
Strengths of ASC:
Attention to detail | Strong focus | Identifying patterns | Strong sense of right and wrong | Trustworthy | Analytical | Loyal | Excellent memory | Passion for chosen interests | Methodical | Accuracy
Challenges of ASC:
Sensory sensitivities | Overthinking | Anxiety | Often misunderstood | Getting lost in the details | Difficulty reading non-verbal social cues | Taking things literally | Restricted interests | Difficulty adapting to unexpected changes | Anxious when faced with unfamiliar environments | Struggles with small talk | Honesty which is often misunderstood | ‘Masking’ which leads to overwhelm
For a diagnosis of ASC to be widely accepted,
they must meet the guidelines set out by the National Institute for Health and Care excellence (NICE).
NICE guidelines state that Autism assessments for children should include the following:
detailed questions about parent's or carer's concerns and, if appropriate, the child's or young person's concerns
details of the child's or young person's experiences of home life, education and social care
a developmental history, focusing on developmental and behavioural features consistent with ICD-11 or DSM-5 criteria (consider using an autism-specific tool to gather this information)
assessment (through interaction with and observation of the child or young person) of social and communication skills and behaviours, focusing on features consistent with ICD-11 or DSM-5 criteria (consider using an autism-specific tool to gather this information)
a medical history, including prenatal, perinatal and family history, and past and current health conditions
a physical examination (you will be referred to your GP for this)
consideration of the differential diagnosis
systematic assessment for conditions that may coexist with autism
development of a profile of the child's or young person's strengths, skills, impairments and needs that can be used to create a needs-based management plan, taking into account family and educational context.
communication of assessment findings to the parent or carer and, if appropriate, the child or young person.
We are proud to say
we meet all of the above criteria
In all of our ASC assessments in Wimbledon and Epsom, we follow the guidelines set out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Our Gold-Standard assessments are rigorous, regulated, ethical, and widely accepted by the NHS and across the UK.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
01
Complete our Registration form. If you have any questions, chat to our team.
02
We will contact you about our availability.
03
We will send you a set of questionnaires and may ask for school reports if they are available.
04
We book a 2-3 hour online appointment to go through your history.
05
Based on the information we gather, we decide which gold-standard assessment for Autism is most suitable for you, and book this in (for children, this would be an ADOS, 3Di or ADI-R).
06
Our team collates all of the information we have gathered to write a report.
We book a 30 minute feedback session, where we discuss the results.
What will it cost?
An assessment for ASC costs £2000
This does not include medication or post-diagnostic support.
Post-Diagnostic Support
Once a diagnosis of ASC has been made, you may require therapeutic support.
Our team of psychologists in Wimbledon and Epsom and online across the UK, work closely with ASC and are able to offer therapy after the assessment. Please get in touch to discuss this. If you require medication, we will signpost you to an appropriate psychiatrist or to your GP, where appropriate.
If a diagnosis is not made, we will go through the overall picture of your mental health with you, and explain why the diagnostic criteria were not met.
Autism in girls and women
It is well known that girls and women are excellent at masking difficulties associated with ASC.
For this reason, the symptoms often go unnoticed for many years.
Due to differences in socialisation, girls often display more socially acceptable behaviours, and mould themselves into what they believe others want them to be.
Our Psychologists understand the nuances of ASC in girls, giving you peace of mind that we won’t miss the subtle symptoms due to the effects of masking. Our specialist ASC assessments in Wimbledon and Epsom can provide a clear diagnosis and valuable insights, empowering women and girls with the understanding and support needed to thrive.
Unsure if an assessment is right for you?
Book a free chat and we will gladly guide you.