Non-clinical women's autism assessment.
I believe that people should have choice. When I received my diagnosis there was only one available option - a psychiatric diagnosis. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't pleasant either and focused on my "deficits". I didn't (and still don't) view autism as a medical disorder, but I did want answers so that I could move on.
When I started working with autistic women, I wanted to be able to offer something different. A very thorough assessment, designed to detect subtle presentations of autism, in a way that doesn't view autism in terms of deficits or as as medical disorder.
I follow DSM-5 guidelines, and ensure someone meets the criteria for autism. If they don't meet those criteria, I clearly explain why that is and point them in the right direction for further support.
I am a trained ADOS-2 assessor, and I adapt this observational tool to my clients' needs whilst drawing on my considerable knowledge of female autism as a therapist and researcher.
This assessment is particularly suited for women who have lived a life and want clear answers, so they can make sense of their past and go forwards with a sense of validation and clarity. Whilst GPs are increasingly recognising it as a diagnosis, I cannot guarantee this, and the assessment is particularly suited to people who want clarity about whether they are autistic, without a need for a medical diagnosis.
For clients who do wish to have a clinical diagnosis, however, this can be arranged following an initial assessment with me. Click here for details.
This assessment is available to clients throughout the world. If you wish to arrange a clinical assessment, this option is only available to clients in the UK.
Included in your assessment...
If you have any questions about what's included in the assessment, please feel free to contact me for more details. You can also watch a video here which explains more about the process.
01
Analysis of 3 screening tests & parental form if provided (a parental form is not required, however)
02
2 hour live zoom session, incorporating adapted ADOS-2 tool
03
Clear decision & explanation regarding whether you meet the criteria for autism
04
Extensive report, including a section covering how to move forwards following your assessment
05
Follow-up support meeting to discuss how you are doing and how you wish to proceed
Booking your appointment
The full session fee is £750 and includes your live assessment, report & follow-up session. It can be paid for in full or in instalments, choosing Klarna as your payment option (or please contact me for alternatives). You will be provided with an intake form at the time of booking.
Workplace accommodations
Following your assessment, you may wish to discuss accommodations that could be helpful for you in the workplace. This is something we can discuss after your assessment and I can prepare a report for your workplace requesting reasonable adjustments. There is an additonal fee of £150 for this report and any follow-up meetings that might be required to discuss your reasonable adjustments in further detail.
Q&A
How much does the assessment cost & what does it include?
The full assessment fee is £750. This includes analysis of your screening tests and parental contribution if provided. It also includes a two hour session with me and a written report. The fee includes a follow-up call with me if you wish to discuss the impact your assessment has had on you.
Is this a clinical diagnosis?
Although I am an expert in women's autism, my perspective is that of a therapist, researcher and trained ADOS-2 Practitioner. The vast majority of my clients want to know whether they are autistic for their own awareness and validation. My assessment, report and follow-up support provides them with everything they need. However, there may be some situations where someone requires a clinical diagnosis (for instance, students applying for DSA may be asked to provide clinical evidence that they are autistic). In this case, I can arrange for a Multi Discplinary Team (MDT) meeting so that your assessment can be recognised as a clinical diagnosis. I only suggest proceeding in this way if I am clear that someone meets the criteria for autism and when they have been through my initial autism assessment process. There is an additional fee payable to the clinical psychologist of £450.
How will an assessment help me?
It's hard to overstate how much people benefit from an assessment. Anyone who is autistic and has reached adulthood will have faced considerable challenges. Knowing that there's a reason for those challenges helps you to accept yourself and the issues you face as real. An assessment may help friends, family and colleagues to understand the types of situations which cause you stress. Some people seek out a my assessment whilst they are on a waiting list to see an NHS psychiatrist, as it may take several months or even years to be clinically diagnosed. To hear about the experiences of some of my clients, click here.
What availability do you have and how can I book?
Before booking your appointment, you are advised to take the screening tests. You can check appointment availability and book your appointment here.
Can I call myself autistic if the assessment suggests that I am?
Yes. I will only suggest that I think you are autistic if you meet the criteria. I have spent years researching and working with autistic women. Although some very knowledgeable psychiatrists conduct assessments, many are employed by large organisations and have little time to thoroughly conduct assessments. They may also lack experience with women's autism and subtle presentations. If you have had an assessment with me, you can be assured that it is thorough, informed and will give you the confidence to go forwards as an autistic person.
Can the assessment also diagnose ADHD?
From my experience, some autistic women wrongly feel they have ADHD because of the overlap in traits whilst others meet the criteria for ADHD. Whilst I cannot diagnose ADHD, we can discuss this during your session, including whether it is worthwhile pursuing a clinical diagnosis for ADHD in addition to autism.
What happens if I camouflage during the session?
It’s unrealistic to assume that we can just stop “camouflaging”, if it’s something we’ve always done. Because your assessment is aware of women's presentation, and more subtle presentations of autism, camouflaging is taken into account during the session. Camouflaging will not impede the assessment process.
Can I use this assessment for my workplace?
I am happy to draw up a separate report with workplace or educational recommendations. There is an additional fee of £150 for this report (which includes discussions or ongoing meetings as required). Legally, your place of work is obliged to recognise this report and work towards "reasonable adjustments". If, however, you are a student and wish to apply for Disability Student Allowance, in most cases a clinical diagnosis is required.
I'm a trans man or identify as non-binary or AFAB. Will the assessment suit me?
Absolutely. The assessment is open to anyone who presents with more subtle autistic traits and is especially aware of how gendered socialising as a younger child can lead to camouflaging and masking of traits.
Do I need a parental contribution?
Parents can provide extremely useful information about our early years and a parental contribution is very helpful. When you book your appointment, you will be emailed a link to a form which your parent/s can complete and submit. However, some adults do not have the type of relationship with their parents where they can ask for a contribution to the assessment and some people no longer have their parents. If it is not possible for your parent to submit information, this is perfectly ok. Some clients choose to ask a friend or other family member but as the focus of the session is on your experience, if you cannot provide a contribution from someone else it is not a problem.
Is it a face-to-face appointment?
All appointments are conducted via zoom. I know that people can worry about a two-hour zoom appointment, but because we take things at a pace which is right for you, have a break half-way through and never rush the sessions, people generally describe it as very comfortable and cathartic. I've also met a lot of lovely cats and dogs over the years who have kept their owners company during the session!
Do you diagnose children?
Unfortunately, the assessment is only available to people over the age of eighteen.
What's involved in the assessment?
You are strongly advised to complete the free online tests before booking your assessment, which will give some indication of whether you may be autistic. If you receive a borderline score, please contact me to discuss whether it is worthwhile pursuing a diagnosis. When you book your appointment online, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire. The assessment itself is conducted via zoom and takes 90 minutes, giving you plenty time to talk about your experience. Following that, you will receive a short written report within two weeks of your appointment.
What happens if I can't make my appointment?
If you can't make your appointment, you will be offered the opportunity to reschedule. 24 hours notice is required for rescheduling, but in the case of genuine emergency or illness a shorter notice will be accommodated. Refunds are not available.