Autism (ASD) Assessments

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Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals communicate, interact with others, and perceive the world around them. Autistic children and youth often present with many strengths, such as strong interests and expertise, attention to detail, a strong memory for certain types of information, and creative problem-solving. While they may face challenges with social communication or sensory processing, a neuroaffirming approach celebrates these differences, focusing on understanding and supporting each child’s individual needs.

While an experienced and well-trained clinician can typically assess for autism as early as 18 months of age, most features become evident around 2 to 3 years old. However, many children may receive a diagnosis at a later age due to a number of reasons, including more subtle or less recognized features (especially in girls) and co-occurring conditions (e.g., intellectual disability, learning disabilities, ADHD, or anxiety) that can mask or complicate the recognition of autism. It is also important to note that our understanding and awareness of autism continues to evolve over time, and the diagnostic criteria have become broader over the last decade. This has led many to identify as autistic later in life, especially those whose symptoms may have been missed under older frameworks.

Identification and diagnosis can help support autistic children/youth by promoting a better understanding of their strengths and areas of support, as well as providing access to appropriate services and interventions. The goal of a diagnosis is to empower autistic children to thrive by creating an environment where they feel valued and supported for who they are.

Our assessment process is thorough, individualized, and designed to provide a complete picture of the child/youth's profile. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:

• Initial consultation call to better understand the needs of the child.
• Interview/intake with the family to gather detailed background information.
• Review of relevant records (e.g., medical, healthcare, school reports, past assessments).
• Formal evaluation based on standardized diagnostic tools to assess for autism, including the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The clinician may also assess for cognitive functioning or learning, as well as adaptive behaviors. These assessments help determine the child’s intellectual and emotional development, which is important for better understanding their unique profile.
• Completion of standardized questionnaires by multiple informants to further evaluate features of autism and other behaviors across settings.
• Further interviewing conducted with professionals involved in the child's care (e.g., teachers, healthcare providers, etc.).
• Feedback session with the family to share the results of the assessment, recommendations, and plan for next steps.
• Written report is provided to the family, which includes the results of the assessment, any diagnoses, as well as recommendations and next steps.

**please note some sessions are conducted virtually (e.g., intake interviews and feedback), while all testing sessions are completed in-person with the child/youth.  

A comprehensive autism diagnosis is not the end of the process but a starting point for building the child’s future. With the right supports, autistic children can thrive, develop their unique strengths, and achieve their goals.

Once a family receives a diagnosis, we help them navigate a number of supports and make recommendations for interventions specific to the child's profile. These may include the following:

• Supporting families in applying for funding/services under the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).
• Connecting families with community agencies and support networks.
• Recommendations for therapeutic services (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy).
• Recommendations for school and education (i.e., Individualized Education Programs [IEPs], classroom recommendations/supports).
• Making recommendations for parenting support (i.e., parent coaching and resources to best support a neurodivergent child).

We recognize that a child with ASD can also face challenges in other areas, such as difficulties with learning, attention and concentration, and emotional functioning. Therefore, we often work with families to complete a more comprehensive assessment when needed, to further explore other potential diagnoses (e.g., ADHD, ASD, anxiety, or mood-related disorders) and develop an individualized plan to address these areas of concern.

The fee for an assessment  depends on the nature and complexity of the presenting concerns. While standalone ASD assessments are available, we also offer comprehensive assessment options (e.g., ASD + psychoeducational assessment, ASD + ADHD assessment). A breakdown of fees will be provided in advance. Please contact the clinic for more information.