We offer Adult Autistic Discoveries (assessments) that respect your unique insights, experiences and wisdom by working collaboratively with you from start to finish.

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 also intersperse this with 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:

  1. An online intake form for you to complete that asks questions that are consistent with the DSM V criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) 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. 

  2. 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.

  3. 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 our Sligo Clinic.

Cost: € 990

Step by Step Guide to the Autistic Discovery Process (assessment)

Whilst there are three main stages to the process, it can be really 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 €330 deposit to secure the assessment dates.

Step 4: The Autistic Discovery Process (the assessment)

There are 3 appointments in all: 

Session 1: 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.

Session 2: 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. On occasion, it can be helpful to bring along a family member to this session, but this is optional. Typically, towards the end of this session or the start of the next session you and your psychologist formally arrive at Autistic Confirmation/Identification (if this is indicated).  60 – 75 mins approx.

Session 3: 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.

An Equitable Requirements (‘reasonable accommodations’) letter will also be provided as required. This document supports your Autistic identity and informs your work or educational institution of their responsibility to provide an equitable environment to support you perform at your best. 

Our documentation is fully recognised by the HSE and other statutory support services/agencies.

There is an optional step of follow up support with our colleagues at Thriving Autistic.

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 3 time points that are paid via our secure online system:

  • €330 deposit to secure the assessment

  • €330 due on the day of your first session

  • €330 due on the day of your third and final session

Please let us know if you would like the cost spread out over more installments and we will be happy to work with you on an arrangement.

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.