Making the decision to undergo a formal autism assessment is a significant step in understanding yourself. An assessment can help explain the patterns in life you may have found yourself repeating and answer questions you have been asking since childhood. It can provide clarity, support and direction. As autism is a lifelong condition, it is important to get the assessment right to provide you with understanding and control.

At Neurodiversity Unravelled, our assessment is a comprehensive package, designed to accurately assess and provide in-depth information about your individual strengths and needs regardless of whether a diagnosis is given.

If you think you may be autistic and you would like information or a diagnosis assessment, we can help with online support and face-to-face diagnosis. If you would like information or an assessment, please complete our online enquiry form and we will organise an initial call with one of our clinicians.

Clinical appointment - this is your first appointment with your allocated case manager. Your case manager is your point of contact throughout your assessment journey. We find out more information about you and your day to day life, aspects of education  and employment history, mental health and answer any questions you may have about the assessment.

Pre-assessment questionnaires – We will ask you to complete important forms and standardised measures of autistic traits and mental health.

Additional information - With your consent, we also ask for feedback from other professionals who know you. We may also ask to review any previous professional, employment and school reports to build up an understanding of you over time.

Autism specific developmental interview -  We meet with you online or face-to-face to complete a detailed interview regarding your social communication profile. We use the Autism Clinical Interview Adults (ACIA) semi-structured interview assessment.

Clinic assessment – We meet with you face to face in clinic to complete the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) as a structured way to assess social communication skills to provide qualitative information. 

Information from family member / friend / partner – Where possible, we gather information from someone who knows you well and may also have knowledge of your developmental stages.  

Diagnostic report – following your appointments the multidisciplinary team discuss all of the information that has been gathered throughout. Your case manager will give you a feedback call following this (usually within 2 weeks). A full and comprehensive report is written, with a formulation and diagnosis (where one can be made) and recommendations and resources.

Feedback appointment – Once you have received your assessment report, we have a 1-hour online feedback session to review the assessment, report and most importantly the recommendations to take forward. This is an opportunity for us to talk through the assessment report in detail and offer much needed space for all of the ‘what next’ questions and ongoing support.   

If additional feed-back sessions or other follow-up support is required, this can be arranged at additional cost. In some instances, further assessment may be required depending on the complexity and level of functioning. Your case manager will keep you updated throughout your assessment journey.

Please note that undergoing a diagnostic assessment does not mean that you will receive a diagnosis