604-428-1909
AUTISM (ASD) ASSESSMENT
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be diagnosed as early as 18 to 24 months. Children with ASD face challenges in social skills, social communication, and may display repetitive or unusual interests and behaviors.
Each child with ASD is unique, and their behaviors and struggles can vary. Some may have speech delays, while others are more verbal. Verbal children may sometimes appear very social and can be overly talkative about topics they know in-depth and find interesting.
Some children may prefer to speak only with familiar adults and refuse to speak to others, appearing shy or reserved in social settings.
Eye contact may be limited in some, while others show inconsistent eye contact or maintain good eye contact. Overall, children with ASD may use their communication skills inconsistently, both verbally and non-verbally.
Many children with ASD may become absorbed in their own interests and may not respond to others. These interests can change over time. Some individuals with ASD have an excellent memory and a vast vocabulary or extensive knowledge about topics they focus on.
Social interpretation and understanding can be challenging for some, and they may appear bossy or controlling in play situations, while others may seem rude or react physically, often feeling unjustly treated.
Teenagers with ASD may experience stress in social situations, finding it challenging to engage in social conversations, understand others' intentions, or interpret emotional cues. Due to social anxiety and stress in handling relationships, some teenagers may avoid attending school. Additionally, some individuals may also struggle with anxiety and/or depression.
AUTISM FUNDING
In BC, a child under 6 years of age with an ASD diagnosis is eligible to receive $22,000 per year, and a child between 6 and 18 years of age can receive $6,000 per year for intervention. Individuals aged 19 and over may be eligible for the Community Living BC (CLBC) Personal Support Initiative (PSI) if they struggle with independent functioning and meet CLBC eligibility criteria. Transitional planning for this support typically begins before the individual turns 19, sometimes as early as age 15.
Everyday Moments: Understanding Autism Through Children's Experiences
Many people often think that signs of autism are confined to behaviors like avoiding eye contact, body rocking, arm flapping, being non-verbal, lining up toys, or always being alone. While these are more common indicators in very young children undergoing assessment, autism in older children can present differently. Older children with autism might show a greater interest in social settings, be more verbal, and display some interest in social interactions, though they may still experience challenges in these areas.
For more examples, please view the accompanying video clips showing how autism signs can vary across ages.
The video content was created in collaboration with Mindarr, with usage permission provided by EL.
HOW IS ASD ASSESSED?
Families can pursue a publicly-funded ASD assessment for free through BCAAN, which requires a referral from a pediatrician. If you are concerned that your child may have ASD, your first step is to talk to your family doctor to obtain a referral to see a pediatrician.
For children under 6 years of age, they should have been seen or have an appointment booked with a pediatrician and a speech and language pathologist before booking an assessment with us. Though not required, we also recommend that children aged 6 and over be seen by a pediatrician.
We are a private clinic, providing assessments for a fee (NON-BCAAN), and our assessments adhere to BC ministry guidelines.
We also offer speech and language assessments conducted by a registered speech and language pathologist.
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Our services are based on an hourly rate. Fees for an assessment include both direct and indirect services. Direct services typically involve scheduled in-person or virtual appointments. Examples of indirect services include scoring tests, interpreting test results, and writing an assessment report. Occasionally, a child may require additional hours of testing. The time required for an ASD assessment typically ranges from 10 to 15 hours, depending on the child’s age and needs.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
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Parent Interview (by phone or in-person: 2.5 to 3 hours)
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Behavioral observation (1 to 2 hours)
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Cognitive functioning testing (1.5 to 2 hours)
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Academic functioning testing (3 hours recommended for children over 6 years of age)
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Tests scoring time (1 to 1.5 hours)
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Preparation of report (6 to 8 hours)
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Feedback for parents (virtually or by phone: 1 hour)
Speech and Language Pathology (SLP) Assessment
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Speech and language assessment (1.5 to 2 hours)
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School observation (if needed: 1 to 2 hours + travelling time)
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Home video reviewing (if needed)
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Tests scoring and preparation of report (3.5 to 4 hours)
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The parent interview is typically conducted alongside the in-person child assessment.
A typical SLP assessment for children under 6 years old includes a 1.5-hour in-person session with a report, costing $800. This fee is calculated at an hourly rate of $160 for a total of 5 hours. Additional fees will apply if the child requires extra assessment time.
ASSESSMENT OUTCOME
A feedback session and an assessment report will be provided at the end of the autism assessment. The report typically includes the client’s developmental history, areas of concern, test results, diagnosis (if any), and recommendations related to the given diagnosis. If the individual does not meet diagnostic criteria for ASD, the report will explain why they do not meet the criteria and will include recommendations.
Feedback sessions for speech and language assessments are provided upon request only. Typically, families receive a report to support their autism assessment, whether conducted at our clinic or elsewhere.