Autism Assessments
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism assessments help identify whether a child meets the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child perceives and interacts with the world around them. It can impact social communication, behaviour, and the way they engage with others. Each child with ASD is unique, and the severity of symptoms varies widely. Some children may have challenges in social interactions, difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviours or restricted interests.
At Seasons Family Centre, we understand that early intervention and accurate assessment are crucial for children with ASD. We offer ASD assessments for children as young as 12 months old to young adulthood (~25 years of age).
These assessments enable us not only to diagnose ASD but also to determine the extent of their unique needs. They offer parents and caregivers a clear understanding of their child’s strengths and challenges, and provide access to a range of developmental supports aided by provincial funding.
Our Assessments
Seasons Family Centre provides autism assessments from early childhood through adolescence and young adults.
- Children
12 months to 6 years
For children under 6 years of age, you will need a letter from a paediatrician and a Speech and Language Pathologist assessment. Once both have been obtained, we can go ahead and book you in. These items are not required to join our waitlist.
If you are in need of Speech & Language support, we offer assessments alongside a range of other services. Please inquire with our office staff for more information.
An autism assessment is typically conducted over two sessions. The first session is consists of a parent interview (using the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised) and the second session will be with your child (using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2nd Edition) and will last up to 60 minutes. The turnaround time for reports is 6-8 weeks. Assessment sessions are generally booked close together, but the overall timeline is subject to change based on availability and booking preferences.
No, but you do require a paediatrician’s letter confirming the need for an assessment based on their observations of your child.
Please note that due to provincial requirements, the letter must be from a paediatrician. A family doctor, occupational therapist, or other medical profession will not be accepted.
The cost of the assessment is $3,000. This is the bundle price; if more sessions are needed to complete the assessment, you will not pay more.
- Youth & Young Adults
6 to 25 years
For children over 6 years of age, we can go ahead and book your assessment without any prerequisite requirements.
The timeline of the assessment is dependent on whether your child has a valid psychoeducational assessment (done within 2 years of the time of booking). If your child does not have a psych-ed, we ask that one be completed as it is essential to ruling out differential diagnoses. If your child has one, then we can proceed with the autism assessment portion alone.
An autism assessment is typically conducted over two sessions. The first session entails a parent interview (using the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised) and the second session will be with your child (using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2nd edition) and will last up to 60 minutes.
If a psych-ed assessment needs to be completed, then two more sessions are needed – see here for psych-ed details.
The turnaround time for reports is 6-8 weeks. Assessment sessions are generally booked close together, but the overall timeline is subject to change based on availability and booking preferences.
No supporting documentation is required for individuals over 6 years of age. You can book directly with us.
The cost of the autism assessment is $3,000. If a psych-ed assessment is needed, the overall cost of psych-ed + ASD assessment is $4000. This is a bundle price; if more sessions than expected are needed, you will not pay more.
Our expertise in assessing autism in hard-to-diagnose girls
Autism in girls often manifests differently than in boys, presenting unique challenges in assessment. Girls with autism may mask their symptoms, exhibit less obvious social difficulties, and show interests or behaviors not typically associated with autism. Understanding these nuances is crucial for an accurate diagnosis, and our team specializes in recognizing these subtle differences.
Our staff are not only trained in the latest diagnostic criteria but also in understanding the specific ways autism appears in girls. We emphasize the recognition of nuanced social communication and the tendency to internalize symptoms like anxiety or depression, which are often more prevalent in girls. Our expertise in this area ensures a thorough and sensitive approach to each assessment, helping to unveil the often-overlooked signs of autism in girls.
Is a private assessment the right choice?
There are options for both public and private assessments to determine if your child meets criteria for ASD. The right choice for your family is a personal one — and unique to your individual circumstances, financial situation, and the urgency of your needs.
A private assessment can offer a faster path to understanding and supporting your child’s unique developmental needs. Early diagnosis and intervention is generally preferred as it harnesses a young brain’s adaptability enhancing developmental, communication and social skills, thereby improving long-term outcomes and quality of life.
Public assessments are available at no cost through the BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN); however, there is typically an extended waiting period before your child can be seen. Current wait times for the BCAAN are available here.
Looking for immediate support?
The journey to an ASD diagnosis can be complex, lengthy, and exhausting. For families waiting on public or private waitlists, the promise of an assessment does little to support the day-to-day challenges of supporting children with complex behaviours.
If you are looking for a faster path to support, consider taking advantage of our counseling services. Counseling can help manage some of the challenges your child and family might be experiencing and offer strategies to enhance daily functioning.
We also provide counselling for parents and caregivers. Self-care is an often overlooked facet of parenting, especially in the face of supporting children with higher needs. Our team provides support to help understand both challenging and unclear behaviours, and develop strategies to manage them. In addition to parenting support, counselling can also be a place to find some respite and talk through any personal challenges that may be of relevance.
Do you have an existing diagnosis from outside of British Columbia?
If you or your child have already been diagnosed with ASD outside of British Columbia but need a confirmation of diagnosis to receive services, you do not need a new assessment. We can review the documentation and certify that you meet eligibility based on B.C. standards for diagnosis.
Contact us to book an appointment.