ASD Assessment for all ages

ASD Assessment: Children, Adolescents & Adults in Ontario

Edcommodate offers ASD assessments for families and individuals seeking a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder across Ontario.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which can affect all aspects of functioning, including social skills, communication skills, learning, and behaviour. While many associate ASD with early childhood, receiving a formal diagnosis often occurs later in life for many Autistic people.

Early intervention/early diagnosis can certainly be critical. However, receiving a thorough diagnostic evaluation and accurate diagnosis helps patients and families access assistive therapies, like occupational therapy, and other essential services that can assist them in navigating daily life, as well as assist a child’s development. Further recommendations can be made for accommodations and/or modification to assist with an adult’s, adolescent’s, or child’s needs at school. 

What To Expect During Your Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment with Edcommodate

An ASD assessment determines whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for an Autism diagnosis as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). To ensure the highest level of accuracy, Edcommodate assessments often utilize several accredited diagnostic tools, such as the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) and/or the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Some Autism diagnostic assessments are offered through our partnership with Integrative Psychiatry Canada and involve a multidisciplinary psychiatric team or psychiatrist specializing in Autism diagnosis.

Those with ASD often have comorbidities. Our assessments have a holistic approach and identify the conditions that commonly occur alongside ASD, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mood or anxiety disorders, intellectual disability, and other learning and developmental disabilities. All of Edcommodate’s Autism diagnostic assessments include a psychoeducational assessment as well. 

Our Assessment Process

Our assessment process is thorough and methodical. Patients can expect:

• Parent Interviews or Collateral Interviews: Provide insight into the family history, developmental history, and health problems of young children with suspected ASD (where appropriate).
• Patient Interviews and Direct Observation: Assess symptoms of ASD, including repetitive behaviours, reduced or mismatched facial expressions, atypical body language, difficulty with social interactions, and difficulties when a child plays (where applicable).
• Document Review: Evaluation of relevant documents, such as school records, reports, and past psychological, psychiatric, or medical professional evaluations (where applicable).
• Peer Interviews: Input from family doctors, mental healthcare professionals, those overseeing an individual’s care, and those representing a child’s school or a post-secondary institution (where applicable).
• Screening Tools: Use of standardized screening questionnaires and tools.

Next Steps: Support Beyond Diagnosis

Following an ASD assessment, we provide a written report that includes:

• A formal diagnosis (if applicable) and detailed findings.
• Guidance on educational needs and school-based programming. 
• Recommendations for accommodations and modifications for adult patients requiring post-secondary or workplace support.
• Referrals to support groups, registered psychologists, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, language therapy or speech-language pathologists, and other specialists that offer targeted Autism support.
• Information on community-based resources and public health services offered by the Ministry of Health, as well as recommendations for community navigation sessions.

For school-aged patients, we’ve partnered with Integrative Psychiatry Canada to offer consultations that help form the basis of an Individual Education Plan (IEP). 

Why Choose Edcommodate for an ASD Assessment?

At Edcommodate, we follow best practices and adhere to clinical guidelines. Our approach is always evidence-based, and our exceptional clinicians are specialists with a wealth of experience and educational backgrounds that enable them to effectively evaluate ASD.

We recognize that obtaining a diagnosis of ASD is the first step in accessing the right resources. We’re here to support all stages of your journey – whether you’re looking for information about ASD, a second opinion, or guidance on small changes to make life with ASD more manageable.

Adult Females and ASD Assessment with Edcommodate

Edcommodate offers a comprehensive ASD assessment process for adult women that includes various standardized questionnaires, multiple collateral interviews (when applicable), and review of past medical and school records. Given the tendency for adult females to mask symptoms, our clinical team is committed to conducting thorough assessments to uncover subtleties. We strive to work diligently with the resources available, even in instances where collateral sources may not be accessible.