Psychologists and other healthcare practitioners conduct formal diagnostic assessments to gather essential information to better help an individual understand themselves, why they may be experiencing certain challenges and difficulties, and what they can do to support themselves. This information may be beneficial in guiding healthcare practitioners such as psychologists to make clinical recommendations that meet your need in a variety of areas and to support you with any area of limitation you may have to improve your overall quality of life.
Insight Psychological’s trained therapists provide screening and assessments to help individuals of all ages to better understand themselves. These assessments may include but are not limited to screening tools, standardized diagnostic assessment measures, clinical interviews, observations, and consultations. Although screening tools may be done as part of therapy to help an individual understand if going through the formal diagnostic process may be appropriate for them, a formal diagnosis requires a higher level of formality.
What are Autism Assessments?
There are a variety of screening tools and assessments Insight offers to assist with making an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. In order to better understand any behavioural, social, and/or developmental challenges an individual may have, it is important to understand and recognize symptoms that may be associated with ASD; therefore, a combination of psychoeducational, behavioural, academic, and ASD-specific assessments may be necessary depending on an individual’s concerns.
Insight’s experienced therapists can assist in this significant diagnostic process by carefully selecting assessments to help you understand yourself better.
Why are Autism Assessments Used?
Autism assessments are important to conduct because the confirmation of an accurate diagnosis can help you, your therapist, and those around you to better understand your unique needs. By recognizing how your behaviour, social, and/or development may impact you, effective interventions may be implemented to help you to improve your quality of life.
These tests, in addition to a thorough clinical interview to gather appropriate demographic and background history, may help a therapist to support you in fully understanding your strengths and capabilities while highlighting ways to manage challenges you may be experiencing. A formal diagnostic assessment may also provide the opportunity for school-aged children to receive additional support through the school system, Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD), and in the community.
Conducting ASD assessments may also provide families with some relief. By receiving information on your loved one’s specific strengths and areas of improvement, you may be better equipped to understand and support their needs more effectively while allowing you to be part of a community that understands what you may be experiencing too.
The Assessment Process
- Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WPPSI, WISC, or WAIS)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests (WIAT)
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale – Second Edition (ADOS-2)
- Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)
- Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS)
- Gillian Autism Rating Scale – Third Edition (GARS-3)
- Children Autism Rating Scale – Second Edition (CARS-2)
- Ages & Stages Questionnaire – Third Edition (ASQ-3)
- Autism-Spectrum Quotient Test (AQ Test)
- Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC)
- Connors Scales
- Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)
- Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS)
- Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF Scales)
Contact any of Insight Psychological’s locations to learn more about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment services.
Each individual has different needs and our intake and admin specialists will be able to provide you with an estimated quote and timeline for an autism assessment. To book an autism assessment, please call our office at 780-461-1717.
References
Assessments for developmental disabilities. Insight Psychological. (2022, February 11). Retrieved August
16, 2022, from https://www.insightpsychological.ca/assessments/assessments-for-developmental-disabilities/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 6). Screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum
disorder for healthcare providers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August
16, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-screening.html
Huerta, M., & Lord, C. (2012). Diagnostic evaluation of autism spectrum disorders. Pediatric clinics of
North America, 59(1), 103–xi. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2011.10.018
Personality & Behaviour Assessments. Insight Psychological. (2022, March 30). Retrieved August 16,
2022, from https://www.insightpsychological.ca/assessments/personality-behaviour-assessments/
