Autism Assessment Process
Step 1 - Initial Enquiry.
At the initial enquiry, we will ask you a few questions and get you to fill in our Client Intake Form. We will also ask you to send any reports you may have. If we feel we can help you, we will take the first payment and send you questionnaires specifically designed for women and girls on the spectrum, for you and your loved ones to fill in. Once we have gathered all that information, and reviewed it we will ask for 2nd payment and book you in for your initial interview.
Step 3 - Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R).
This is a structured interview that gathers information about early childhood development, focusing on social interaction, communication, and behaviours associated with autism. The ADI-R is administered to someone who knew you well during early childhood, such as a parent or primary caregiver, rather than to you directly. Please let us know if there is someone who could provide this information, as it helps us to create a more complete understanding of your developmental history. If you don't that is ok, and not necessary for a diagnosis.
This takes 1.5-3 hours depending on complexity.
Step 2 - Developmental Interview
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As part of our autism assessment process at Spectrum Sisters, we undertake a comprehensive developmental interview. This will form one component of your overall autism assessment, alongside the ADI-R and ADOS-2 assessments. Following areas covered as appropriate: Early Development,​ Social and Communication Development.​ Behavioural Patterns, Mental Health and Emotional Development, Education and Occupation, Family and Social Context, Adult Functioning (if applicable)​. We also look at your strengths, gifts, and talents, as well as any indicators suggestive of autism or neurodivergence.
​This can take 1.5-3 hours depending on complexity.
Step 4 - Diagnostic Assessment (ADOS -2)
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An ADOS-2 assessment involves a set of specific tasks, questions, and social interactions that must be delivered in a highly structured, time bound way to maintain diagnostic validity.
For this reason, the ADOS-2 must be completed within a single session, lasting one hour.
This ensures that every person is assessed under the same standardised conditions, allowing reliable comparison with clinical benchmarks.
This takes one hour.
Step 5 - MDT Review.
This is an essential part of the process. After all the history, questionnaires and assessments have been collated by your Lead Assessor, she will meet with our highly trained expert Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and will have an in-depth meeting to discuss your case, whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis, whether another diagnosis might be more appropriate, and what recommendations we suggest to help you moving forward. Our team include Educational Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses, Paediatric Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists and Psychiatrists, and their invaluable input will go into the report. You are not required for this meeting.
Step 6 - Report Finalised.
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Once we have your report we will ask you for the third and final payment. On receipt you will receive your detailed report. Each report is person-centred. Once your report has been reviewed and a diagnosis agreed by the team and signed off, it will be sent to you. We understand that this will be an anxious time, and after you have had time to digest it, you will be offered a follow-up appointment with your Lead Assessor to discuss our findings within a few days of receipt. In this meeting we can discuss the results, the recommendations, and deal with any queries or concerns, and you can also ask for any support letters you may need moving forward. Our reports are widely accepted to access services and support in schools, further education, the workplace and other services. We will also signpost you to any services we feel may be helpful to you.
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