The following assessment options provide an overview of what a specific assessment may include. Completing an assessment does not guarantee that you will receive a diagnosis but will provide more information about your situation. If Tanya feels that she needs to do a differential diagnosis, or investigate other assessment options, this will change the cost of the overall assessment. Tanya will always discuss this with you before proceeding with any other work.

Brief Autism Assessment for Adults

Purpose
For people aged 18 years or older wanting personal clarification and to understand themselves better, not requiring funding or additional support services.

What is involved
Interviews with you and people close to you about your life, and psychological tests to identify autism characteristics and other needs.

What you will get
A letter explaining Tanya’s expert opinion on whether you are autistic or not and why, including recommendations for further information and support.

Optional extra
A follow-up session offered at a discounted rate to discuss Tanya’s findings and recommendations.

Please note: A brief assessment does not result in a formal diagnosis and cannot generally be used for accessing funding and further support services.

Formal Autism Assessment for Adults

Purpose
For people aged 18 years or older seeking a formal autism diagnosis, looking to apply for funding and further support services.

What is involved
Interviews with you, your significant other or a close family member, and other professionals known to you (employer, psychologist, doctor). An examination of previous medical, mental health, psychological and educational reports and a selection of psychological tests to identify autism characteristics and other needs.

What you will get
A comprehensive psychological report that thoroughly outlines Tanya’s findings and interpretation of conducted tests and interviews, and may provide an autism diagnosis based on diagnostic criteria set by the DSM-5. This report will include a list of tailored recommendations for further information, access to funding and support services based on the outcome of the assessment. Then Tanya will have a follow-up session with you to discuss the report in detail, answer your questions and work through possible next steps.

Autism Assessment for Children and Teenagers

Purpose
A formal autism diagnostic  assessment for children and adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years, for those seeking advice, funding or support services.

What is involved
Interviews with the child/teenager, their parents, legal guardians or other significant family members, and other professionals known to the person being assessed (psychologist, doctor, teacher). An examination of previous medical, mental health, psychological and educational reports and a selection of psychological tests to identify autism characteristics and other needs.

What you will get
A comprehensive psychological report that thoroughly outlines Tanya’s findings and interpretation of conducted tests and interviews, and may provide an autism diagnosis based on diagnostic criteria set by the DSM-5. This report will include a list of tailored recommendations for further information, access to funding and support services based on the outcome of the assessment. Then Tanya will have a follow-up session with the referrer or the parents of the child/teenager, and sometimes the child/teenager themselves to discuss the report in detail, answer questions and work through possible next steps.

Please note: Tanya does not do brief assessments for children or teenagers. For children under the age of 10 years, we recommend a multi-disciplinary assessment conducted through the Waikato Child Development Centre (or equivalent service).

Neurodiversity Assessment for Adults

Purpose
For people aged 18 years or older seeking more information about neurodiversity and intellectual functioning who do not suspect a specific condition, to possibly receive a diagnosis and access further support services and/or funding.

What is involved
Interviews with you, your significant other and/or a close family member, and other professionals known to you (employer, psychologist, doctor). An examination of previous medical, mental health, psychological and educational reports, and a selection of psychological tests to investigate intellectual and adaptive functioning, as well as characteristics of neurodiverse conditions like autism and ADHD.

What you will get
A comprehensive psychological report that thoroughly outlines Tanya’s findings and interpretation of conducted tests and interviews, and may provide a diagnosis based on diagnostic criteria set by the DSM-5. This report will include a list of tailored recommendations for further information, access to funding and support services based on the outcome of the assessment. Then Tanya will have a follow-up session with you to discuss the report in detail, answer your questions and work through possible next steps.

Intellectual Functioning Assessment for Adults

Purpose
For people aged 18 years or older seeking information about their intellectual ability and whether they might have an intellectual disability, possibly seeking to access further support services and/or funding.

What is involved
Interviews with you and with your significant other and/or a close family member. An examination of previous medical, mental health, psychological and educational reports, and psychological tests to investigate intellectual and adaptive functioning.

What you will get
A comprehensive psychological report that thoroughly outlines Tanya’s findings and interpretation of conducted tests and interviews, and may provide a diagnosis of intellectual disability based on diagnostic criteria set by the DSM-5. This report will include a list of tailored recommendations for further information, access to funding and support services based on the outcome of the assessment.

Optional extra
A follow-up session offered at a discounted rate to discuss Tanya’s findings and recommendations.