Understanding autism is essential for accessing the right support. At WYIM, we offer comprehensive autism assessments for individuals of all ages. Our compassionate team is dedicated to providing accurate and personalised evaluations that align with the latest research and best practices. Whether you're concerned about yourself or your child, we're here to help you navigate the autism spectrum.
Autism in Adults: Recognising the Signs
Common signs of autism in adults may include:
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Social challenges: Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations, understanding social cues, or forming close relationships.
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Communication difficulties: Struggling to express thoughts and feelings clearly, or having trouble understanding others' communication.
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Repetitive behaviors: Engaging in repetitive actions, routines, or rituals, such as stimming (e.g., rocking, flapping hands).
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Sensory sensitivities: Discomfort or distress due to certain sounds, textures, or lights.
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Difficulties with change: Resistance to changes in routine or environment.
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Executive function challenges: Struggling with tasks that require planning, organisation, or time management.
Autism in Children: Recognising the Signs
Common signs of autism in children may include:
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Delayed or absent speech: Children with autism may have difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations.
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Repetitive behaviors: This can include rocking, flapping hands, or repeating certain phrases.
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Difficulty understanding social cues: Children may struggle to interpret facial expressions, body language, or sarcasm.
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Limited eye contact: They may avoid looking at others or stare intensely.
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Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity: Children with autism may be overly sensitive or less sensitive to sounds, textures, lights, or smells.
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Fixations: They may become intensely focused on certain objects or activities.
Your Autism Assessment
Our autism assessments are usually completed within a day, between 9 AM and 2 PM. Feedback is provided following the assessment, and comprehensive reports are and diagnosis are ready within fourteen days.
Assessment Process
Part 1 (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): ADI-R and ADOS-2 assessments.
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Break (10:00 AM - 10:30 AM): Short break
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Part 2 (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM): ADI-R and Second Observation
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Break (11:30 - 13:30): Client break
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MDT and Report Writing/Client break (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM): Multidisciplinary team meeting to discuss findings of assessments and information gathered from other professionals. Preliminary diagnostic result discussed.
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Feedback Meeting (1:30 PM - 2:00 PM): Discussion of assessment results, preliminary findings and recommendations. Full report ready in 14 days.
Understanding Your Autism Assessment
Our assessments adhere to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines to provide accurate and reliable diagnoses. The process typically involves the following steps:
Clinical Interview (ADI-R):
​​To understand your development, we'll need information from someone who knows you well. Such as a family member or friend. The clinical interview lasts about two to three hours. If you have concerns about confidentiality or don't have a suitable person, please discuss this with us.
ADOS-2 Observation:
This is an observational assessment which will last for one-hour. You'll engage in a mix of structured activities and open-ended play that are essential for the assessment. The clinician will observe your social interactions, communication, and play behaviors.
Second Observation:
While the ADOS-2 offers a structured evaluation, this observation provides a more natural setting to observe your social interactions, communication skills, and behaviors. It allows our team to gain a deeper understanding of how you function in everyday situations.
MDT and Feedback Appointment:
Your assessment team will review the DSM-V to see if you meet the diagnostic criteria for autism. They will then meet with you to discuss the preliminary outcomes and answer any questions. Your assessment report will be sent to you within 14 days.