Adult Autistic Discoveries (assessments) that respect your unique insights, experiences and wisdom, working collaboratively with you
Clinical Psychologist-led Adult Autistic Discoveries (assessments)
Being neuro-affirmative means that we see Autism not as a disorder or a deficit but as a valid and vital way of being. We draw from best-practice clinical guidelines that incorporate an Autistic-informed approach to assessment, where we place you at the heart of the process.
Whilst we continue to use the term ‘assessment’, we prefer the neuro-affirmative terms ‘Autistic Discovery’ as this more faithfully describes what we do:
We support you to explore if your way of being is aligned with the Autistic way of being.
The Autistic Discovery Process (assessment) has three parts:
An online intake form for you to complete that asks questions that are consistent with the DSM V criteria for autism, as well as some screening measures.
You can complete it in your own time.
We can also send supplementary intake forms that family or friends can fill in.
Three collaborative and relaxed sessions where you meet a clinical psychologist.
You go through the information you have already provided in your online forms.
Your psychologist may ask to to expand on the information.
You work collaboratively with your psychologist in an open and transparent process.
If you learn that you are Autistic you will be provided with neuro-diversity affirmative supporting documentation to affirming that you are Autistic which is accepted by the HSE and other statutory agencies.
All sessions are offered online or in person in Sligo and Athlone.
(Please note that there is a long waiting time for in person discoveries, especially in Sligo; there is currently a very short waiting time for full online assessments).
Cost: € 1,500
Step by Step Guide to the Autistic Discovery Process (assessment)
There are 3 main stages to the process, and it can be helpful for you to know about all the steps from start to finish:
Step 1:
Book online – go to Book an Assessment and fill in the contact form. You will be asked to sign a GDPR form so that we can legally hold your information.
Step 2:
We will contact you via email and you will be invited to fill out online consent and screening forms and an ‘intake form’ with questions that are drawn from the DSM V criteria, which are the clinical diagnostic criteria we follow. There are also supplementary forms for your family and friends to fill out – these are entirely optional. Your name goes on a waiting list.
Step 3:
When your name is near the top of the waiting list, we will email you with dates for the assessment that suit you and you will be asked to pay a €375 deposit to secure the assessment dates.
Step 4: The Autistic Discovery Process (the assessment)
There are 3 appointments in all:
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You meet with a clinical psychologist either in person or online and go through the information you have provided in your online intake form and explore how this relates to the DSM V criteria for autism. 60 – 75 mins approx.
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You meet with your psychologist again to continue your exploration of the information that you have provided and provide in session relates to the DSM V criteria. Typically, towards the end of this session or the start of the next session you and your psychologist formally arrive at Autistic Confirmation/diagnosis (if this is indicated). 60 – 75 mins approx.
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Your psychologist checks in with you and together you review how the process has gone so far and talk about how you are feeling regarding Autistic Confirmation if this is the case for you.
We explore supports and resources available for your whether you are Autistic or not, and we go through the supporting documentation that we provide to affirm your Autistic Confirmation. 60 – 75 mins approx
Supporting Documentation: Soon after your third session, we will provide you with neurodiversity affirmative documentation affirming you are Autistic (if your discovery has confirmed this finding).
Our documentation is fully recognised by the HSE and other statutory support services/agencies.
There is an additional charge of €200 for a letter of support for a Disability Allowance application.
Autism Assessment Payment
We recognise that it is a big financial undertaking to pay for a private autism assessment. The cost is based on the amount of clinical time it takes to carry out a thorough assessment that captures the richness of your experiences, as well as the provision of neuro-affirmative supporting documentation.
We spread the payment for the assessment over 4 time points that are paid via our secure online system:
€375 deposit to secure the assessment
€375 due on the day of your first Discovery session
€375 due on the day of your second Discovery session
€375 due on the day of your Outcome session
Please let us know if you would like the cost spread out over more instalments and we will be happy to work with you on an arrangement.
Important Notes:
Due to high demand for our services, a cancellation fee for individual sessions will be applied if less than 48 hours notice is given. If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment or fail to attend without notifying the psychologist, a fee of €100 will be charged.
Preparing additional documentation, outside our standard suite, will attract an additional fee (fee details available as and when such documents are requested)
If you are applying for Disability Allowance and require a supporting letter, there is an additional fee of €150. Preparing a rich and detailed letter requires additional time and administration to gather and present relevant information in support of your application.
Not sure whether a full Autistic Discovery (assessment) is right for you?
No problem!
We offer a 90 minute Explore Together Adult Autism Consultation Session where you can explore your way of being in more detail with a clinical psychologist and discuss whether a full discovery process (assessment) would be helpful. Your psychologist can make other recommendations as to the next steps to take if you agree that a full discovery process may not be the next step.
Please note that this session does not constitute a full Autistic Discovery (assessment).
Fee: €220
If you decide to go ahead with the full Autistic Discovery (assessment), this amount is taken off the Adult Autistic Discovery Fee.
Learn more about Consultations here.
Post-Autistic Discovery Support
Here at The Butterfly Practice we want to support you as much as possible followig your Discovery with us. We can suggest several different pathways of ‘Post-Confirmation’ support.