AUTISM ASSESSMENTS

Every autistic individual experiences the world in their own unique way. Some children may have differences in social communication, language development, emotional regulation, sensory processing, or repetitive behaviours and interests. Others may be highly verbal and academically capable but continue to struggle to understand social cues, build friendships, cope with change, or navigate everyday demands. An autism assessment helps provide clarity, understanding, and a roadmap for support.

At Coastal Minds Psychology, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments for children and adolescents. Our goal is not simply to determine whether a child or adult meets diagnostic criteria, but to understand their individual strengths, challenges, and needs so families, schools, and healthcare providers can best support them.

Coastal Minds Psychology offers two comprehensive Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment options:

  1. A Comprehensive Autism Assessment for children, adolescents, or adults.

  2. A Combined Autism and Psycho-Educational Assessment, which evaluates for Autism Spectrum Disorder alongside learning, cognitive, and academic functioning to provide a more complete understanding of an individual's strengths and support needs.

Steps in a Comprehensive Autism Assessment:

  • Two women are sitting on a gray sofa in an office, looking at a laptop. One woman has curly hair with glasses and is wearing a light pink blazer, smiling. The other woman has dark hair in a bun, wearing a patterned blazer with pearls, looking at the laptop. Behind them are large windows with city buildings and green plants on the windowsill. There are shelves with board games and books nearby.

    Step 1: Clinical Intake with Parents

    The process begins with a parent intake session where we gather a clear picture of your child’s development, learning, and current concerns. We also take time to understand your goals, so the assessment is focused, meaningful, and tailored to your child.

  • A person wearing a green sweater writing on a notebook with a red pen, sitting on their lap, with their left hand resting on the page.

    Step 2: Cognitive Testing Session

    Cognitive testing helps us understand how your child thinks, learns, and processes information. It looks at areas such as reasoning, memory, attention, and processing speed to build a clear picture of your child’s strengths and challenges.

  • Children sitting at a table engaged in drawing and coloring activities in a classroom.

    Step 3: ADI-R Interview

    The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is a comprehensive, standardized interview with parents or caregivers that explores a child's early development, communication, social interactions, and behaviours to help determine whether their developmental history is consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  • Two young women having a conversation while sitting on a bed. One woman is wearing a purple sweater and headphones, and the other woman, whose face is out of focus, is wearing a blue pattern top. There is a laptop on the bed and a window with white panels in the background.

    Step 4: ADOS-2

    The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) is a standardized, evidence-based assessment that uses structured activities and observations to evaluate social communication, interaction, play, and behaviours associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  • Two women sitting at a wooden table in a office, having a conversation. One woman is taking notes with a pen and the other is engaged in the discussion. There are laptops and a brick wall background.

    Step 5: Rating Scales

    Parents and caregivers complete standardized rating scales that provide valuable information about their child's social communication, behaviour, sensory experiences, and everyday functioning across different settings.

  • Close-up of a hand signing a document with a silver fountain pen on a wooden desk.

    Feedback Meeting

    During the feedback meeting, your psychologist will review the assessment results, explain whether your child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, answer your questions, discuss your child's unique strengths and needs, and provide practical recommendations to support them at home, at school, and in the community.

AUTISM ASSESSMENT: $3750

GET STARTED

Steps in a Combined Autism & Psycho-Educational Assessment:

  • Two women are sitting on a gray sofa in an office, looking at a laptop. One woman has curly hair with glasses and is wearing a light pink blazer, smiling. The other woman has dark hair in a bun, wearing a patterned blazer with pearls, looking at the laptop. Behind them are large windows with city buildings and green plants on the windowsill. There are shelves with board games and books nearby.

    Step 1: Clinical Intake with Parents

    The process begins with a parent intake session where we gather a clear picture of your child’s development, learning, and current concerns. We also take time to understand your goals, so the assessment is focused, meaningful, and tailored to your child.

  • A person wearing a green sweater writing on a notebook with a red pen, sitting on their lap, with their left hand resting on the page.

    Step 2: Cognitive Testing Session

    Cognitive testing helps us understand how your child thinks, learns, and processes information. It looks at areas such as reasoning, memory, attention, and processing speed to build a clear picture of your child’s strengths and challenges.

  • Children sitting at a table engaged in drawing and coloring activities in a classroom.

    Step 3: Academic Testing Session

    During the academic testing session, your child will complete standardized tasks that assess skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, and written language to better understand their learning profile and identify areas of strength and need.

  • Child working at desk

    Step 4: Possible Third Testing Session

    A third testing session may be recommended when additional assessment is needed to ensure a thorough and accurate understanding of your child's developmental, cognitive, academic, or behavioural profile.

  • Two women sitting at a wooden table in a office, having a conversation. One woman is taking notes with a pen and the other is engaged in the discussion. There are laptops and a brick wall background.

    Step 5: ADI-R

    The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is a comprehensive, standardized interview with parents or caregivers that explores a child's early development, communication, social interactions, and behaviours to help determine whether their developmental history is consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  • Close-up of a hand signing a document with a silver fountain pen on a wooden desk.

    Step 6: ADOS 2

    The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) is a standardized, evidence-based assessment that uses structured activities and observations to evaluate social communication, interaction, play, and behaviours associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  • Two women sitting at a wooden table in a office, having a conversation. One woman is taking notes with a pen and the other is engaged in the discussion. There are laptops and a brick wall background.

    Step 5: Rating Scales

    Parents and caregivers complete standardized rating scales that provide valuable information about their child's social communication, behaviour, sensory experiences, and everyday functioning across different settings.

  • Close-up of a hand signing a document with a silver fountain pen on a wooden desk.

    Feedback Meeting

    During the feedback meeting, your psychologist will review the assessment results, explain whether your child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, answer your questions, discuss your child's unique strengths and needs, and provide practical recommendations to support them at home, at school, and in the community.

COMBINED AUTISM & PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT: $5500

GET STARTED

Looking for a lower-cost or sliding-scale assessment?

Contact us! At times, we have reduced-fee assessment opportunities available with students.

Did you know that many extended health benefit plans allow services to be billed under both parents' plans and, in some cases, under a child's plan as well? This can sometimes help families access additional coverage for assessment costs.

If you have questions about insurance coverage or billing, please contact Susi at billing@coastalmindspsychology.com.

For scheduling inquiries or assistance booking an appointment, please contact a team member at office@coastalmindspsychology.com.