Tel: 0118 988 7074 Email: admin@every-mind.co.uk
Tel: 0118 988 7074 Email: admin@every-mind.co.uk
A diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an extremely important process that should include comprehensive assessments, information and input from a range of different professionals (e.g. speech and language therapist, clinical psychologist) and across a range of settings (e.g. school, home, other activities).
A diagnostic assessment uses a combination of clinical interview, observation, previous reports and standardised tests to determine whether or not the person meets DSM-V criteria for ASD. It should also screen for and assess whether there are other diagnoses present, or those that could account for the presenting difficulties.
Every Mind offers a diagnostic service for young people up to the age of 18 years for Autism Spectrum Disorder including those with a Pathological Demand Avoidance profile (PDA).
A diagnostic assessment for ASD at Every Mind meet national guidelines for excellence. As such, our assessments are recognised by schools and local CAMHS/NHS/statutory services.
Our assessments include many different essential and important elements. These are 'gold standard' standardised assessments which include:
- A comprehensive parental interview exploring your child’s developmental history. This is called the DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders) and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. The DISCO was developed by Dr Lorna Wing and Dr Judith Gould, and is an incredibly detailed, semi-structured interview that looks to collect information regarding impairments in social interaction, social communication and social imagination in a very systematic way. Its special value is that it collects information concerning all aspects of each individual’s skills, deficits and untypical behaviour, not just the features of autism spectrum disorder. It can also assist in identifying conditions often associated with the spectrum, such as ADHD, tics, dyspraxia and catatonia-like disorders. It is also extremely sensitive to features of ASD in females and for detecting traits of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
- A comprehensive interview and observation within the child’s school, complimented by an extensive questionnaire completed by school staff of your child’s emotional, social and academic functioning.
- An observation of your child’s behaviour in clinic based on the ADOS (Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule). The ADOS is a semi-structured assessment of communication, social interaction, play and imagination. The ADOS can be used to evaluate individuals at different developmental levels and chronological ages, from toddlers to adults, from individuals with no speech to those who are verbally fluent.
Following the assessment, our team will create an extremely comprehensive report which include a full description of your child's profile, including his/her many strengths, and make recommendations for ongoing support.
Absolutely! We are very lucky to be able to offer the following assessments to help you understand your child's unique profile of strengths and differences.
- A comprehensive assessment of sensory and motor needs by a highly specialised Occupational Therapist
- A cognitive assessment (WISC-V or WAIS depending on age) to help understand your child's unique cognitive profile. This is extremely helpful for gaining support and recognition of differences within school.
Because our assessments are so in depth, we are able to screen for other diagnoses that may account for your child's differences. This includes ADHD and anxiety.
Although we are not yet able to formally diagnose Pathological Demand Avoidance (as it is not within our current diagnostic manual; the DSM-V), we are able to describe the profile if it is present and formally assert this within our reports.
We do indeed. This optional 'screening' appointment is with a highly trained member of our diagnostic team and is an opportunity for them to meet your child to help decide if a formal assessment is the best route for you to take at this time. The clinician may suggest progressing to a formal assessment which we can arrange after this appointment, or they may suggest an alternative route. This session is generally very relaxed in structure with opportunities for play and discussion. During the screening appointment, the clinician will also consider sensory and motor needs, and if any are observed or discussed, an Occupational Therapy assessment will be suggested as part of the full ASD diagnostic assessment.
Please contact our admin team to discuss the diagnostic assessment further. They will send you more information and a number of questionnaires to complete ahead of your session.
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We have launched a new programme of workshops for parents of autistic children. Workshops include Supporting Self Esteem, Managing Anxiety, and the Transition to Adolescence. Please contact us for more information