We carry out adult autism assessments that respect your unique insights, experiences and wisdom by working collaboratively with you from start to finish.
Autism Assessments/Discoveries
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 Collaborative Autistic Discovery as this more accurately describes what we do: We support you to explore if your way of being is aligned with the Autistic way of being.
The assessment (Collaborative Autistic Discovery) has three parts:
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. 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 we go through the information you have already provided in your online forms.
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 Autism Assessment/Collaborative Autistic Discovery
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 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 assessment (Collaborative Autistic Discovery).
There are 3 appointments in all:
Session 1: You meet with Julie 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 Julie 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 we formally arrive at Autistic Confirmation/Identification (if this is indicated). 60 – 75 mins approx.
Session 3: We review how the process has gone so far and talk about how you are feeling regarding Autistic Confirmation/Identification 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/Identification.
Supporting Documentation: Soon after your third session, we will provide you with neurodiversity affirmative documentation affirming you are Autistic. Our documentation is fully recognised by the HSE and other statutory support services/agencies. An Equitable Requirements 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.
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
Not sure whether a full Autism Assessment is right for you? No problem!
We offer a 90 minute Explore Together Adult Autism Consultation Session where we can explore your way of being in more detail and discuss whether a full assessment would be helpful. We can make other recommendations as to the next steps to take if we agree that an assessment may not be the next step.
Please note that this session does not constitute a diagnostic assessment.
Fee: € 220
If you decide to go ahead with the full Autism assessment, this amount is taken off the Adult Autism Assessment Fee.
Learn more about Consultations here.