Autism Spectrum Condition – Level one – mild, in adults

In the last 17 years Marijke has developed a deep understanding of adults who are neurodivergent – on the ‘autistic spectrum’ (ASC – Autism Spectrum Condition). Many people have co-occurring conditions such as ADHD or ADD. Following assessment and therapeutic support is available. Adults are those aged from 20 years to 80 plus. Marijke has a particular interest are women who are on the spectrum. Women have often been unseen and misdiagnosed. A comprehensive assessment is fundamental to appreciating whether autistic characteristics are present. She is passionate about developing a mindful and heartfelt response to this complex and dynamic area of human relationships, and assisting partners of people with ASD to have fulfilling, empathic and loving relationships.

Aspergers or ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder

There are a number of terms used to describe Aspergers Syndrome. In 2013 DSMV, the term Aspergers Syndrome has been replaced with ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder.  However many practitioners in Australia, Canada and Britain reference the condition as ASC – Autism Spectrum Condition. The belief is that ‘disorder’ is not a correct description. The alternative ‘condition’ refers to the atypical neurological development in autism without classifying it as a disorder. The term acknowledges that there are both strengths and weaknesses in learning and information processing.

Information about the initial assessment of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) Level 1 mild
(Formally known as High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome) and ADHD(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

It is very likely that in considering this assessment you may have spent considerable thought to undertake it. Whether you are seeking an assessment for yourself, or for a close family member, you are taking a brave step.

The outcome of this psychological assessment and perhaps a diagnosis, may offer relief and a greater understanding of your past and present experiences and challenges. Some may find the process poses more questions and they may need help to assimilate the information and consider what the assessment outcome might mean for them. Often people who have undergone this assessment, report that the outcome has assisted them considerably with improving their lives, making decisions regarding their relationships, their work and their environment that better sustains them to live well.

There are many adults with ASC who are undiagnosed who experience and exhibit common traits of this condition. It is possible you have traits of ASC. It is possible that there are other reasons for the traits you have. Some people have comorbid ADHD( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) – most often the inattentive type. Sometimes it is ‘combined’ meaning both inattentive and hyperactive. Sometimes there may be other characteristics present formally named Obsessive Compulsive Condition, Depression and Anxiety.

The assessment process considers several possibilities and through the process of observations, understanding past behaviours and several questionnaires answered by yourself and people who know you well, differential diagnoses are excluded or included with a high level of confidence. Being able to recognise the traits and behaviours assists in making sense of the challenges you may be facing. It also assists in planning appropriate psychological responses, treatments and therapies.

For the person being assessed

The assessment usually involves attending two or three appointments. The first is in person with subsequent appointments done by zoom. Typically the first consultation is 1.5 hours. The second is for 1 hour. And the third is when a summary of the findings is given. This maybe a further 40 – 60 minutes. If the consultations are by zoom, there will need to be at least one face-to-face appointment for the diagnosis to be confirmed. Otherwise it is noted as a provisional diagnosis and confirmed when seen in person.

It can be helpful to have a person who has known you most of your life – your mother if possible, to attend the first consultation to assist with my gathering important information about your early development and characteristics in childhood. It is understood that sometimes this is not possible for various reasons. Occasionally a parent maybe asked to complete a social developmental questionnaire. You will be asked to have some questionnaires completed by people who know you well. For example a parent, brother, sister, partner or long-time friend.

To prepare for the assessment

• Four questionnaires – the AQ (Autism Quotient), EQ (a behavioural questionnaire), CATI (a comprehensive screening questionnaire identifying the strength of key characteristics of neurodivergence) and a sensory questionnaire (SRAS) are sent to you along with the confirmation note for the appointment. You are requested to send the completed forms back (per scan if possible) before the first appointment.
• You are invited to ask two people who know you well and who have known you for most of your life – for example your mother, father, partner, brother, sister, friend – to complete the same questionnaires – the AQ and the EQ. They are asked to keep you in mind as they mark their responses. Please scan the completed questionnaires before the first consultation.
• You are invited to bring or send prior to the appointment, any medical or other reports or notes that offer information of assessments that relate to your development in any way that have occurred during your childhood and or adolescence and or adulthood.
• You are invited to bring any school reports from aged 5 to 18 years
• You are invited to bring family photo album that includes photos of you when a child and captures family occasions and your birthdays up to the age of 18.
• Steps of the assessment of ASC in adults and if requested ADHD
• The appointments are to explore the question as to whether you may have characteristics and behaviours commonly experienced by those who are high functioning on the autistic spectrum and/or have ADHD. The assessment has four steps.
  • Step 1 Answering the questionnaires at home prior to the first appointment. Gathering together relevant documents that includes any medical or psychological reports, photos and school reports.
  • Step 2 An interview of 1.5 hours in which we talk through your past and present experiences, take a developmental history, and ask questions on specific areas on how you respond in your daily life with your relationships, your talents and communication. A screening test for ADHD will also be completed with you. If the interview did not allow for all the information to be gathered at this first interview, an email is sent with questions and you are asked to write your responses.
  • Step 3 A second interview of an hour where any relevant information not gathered in the first interview may be asked about, and the RAADS-R is completed gathering detail around the questions. If time permits the findings of both interviews and the questionnaires will be shared with you. If more time is needed, a third appointment is made to do this as soon as practical.
  • Step 4 A third appointment is made to offer the diagnostic outcome based on all the information gathered both at interview and from the psychometric testing. After step 4 is completed you will be asked what form of report is needed.

Sometimes one or all of the following reports maybe requested depending on your circumstances;

1. i)  A full assessment report for your GP, specialist( psychiatrist) or yourself.
2. ii)  A summary of findings for your reference
3. iii)  A brief report for an employer, university or officers at Ministry of Social Development

Payment of the fees: When the first appointment is confirmed, both a confirmation note and the invoice will be sent. A 50% deposit is requested seven days before the first appointment. The balance of the fee is payable on receipt of the report. approximately 4-6 weeks after the assessment is completed. Fees include GST

Fees for the Assessment for ASC

Assessment Interview, Questionnaires and Report writing costs are as follows

i) $805 (approximately 3 – 3.5hrs of consultation over three sessions.) This includes reading of reports and any documents presented.

ii) $25 per questionnaire

iii) $800 for the write of the report. The report includes a summary of the interviews and data collected, a diagnostic summary and recommendations going forward. The psychometric data is attached as an appendix. The full report is approximately 12 – 14 pages. This is personal information and it is recommended to be shared with your GP and specialist only.

iv) A brief one page report maybe sufficient for a tertiary institution, work place or similar. The cost of a brief report is $250.

Estimates for the assessment with report can range between $1800 – $2000 depending on the presentation and what reports are needed following the assessment. If ADHD is formally assessed alongside the ASC assessment, this may add a further fee of approximately $500

Fees for Consultations following the assessment are

Individuals $230 incl GST

Beneficiary Student $205incl GST

Couples or Family Therapy 1 hour $250, 1.5hrs $375

Waiting time for an appointment

Appointments for assessment can vary and in 2025/26 the wait time is approximately 4 – 5 months. A cancellation list is held in the practice and you are welcome to request to be placed on this.