ASD Assessment: Your Guide to Understanding and Support
At Psychiatry UK, we understand the challenges that come with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our comprehensive ASD assessment service is designed to provide you with clarity and support on your journey towards improved wellbeing.
ASD assessment and its importance
A professional ASD assessment will evaluate your cognitive and behavioural patterns to accurately diagnose ASD and suggest tailored care. With a diagnosis, you can better understand yourself, and find suitable treatment options or support services that can greatly enhance your quality of life.
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Feeling apprehensive?
Feeling apprehensive about an assessment is normal, but rest assured, there is no need to worry. Our doctors are experienced in helping people feel at ease, allowing you to focus on discussing your symptoms and how they impact your daily life.
Before your appointment, you must complete your patient checklist (see below):
- Upload your photo ID and proof of address to your MedQare portal account (watch our helpful video guide).
- Complete all pre-assessment forms to assist in the assessment process. Please note: if you have additional information for your doctor beyond what is covered in the pre-assessment forms, please send this in a note marked for the attention of ‘Your Doctor’.
- The appointment will take place via a Teams video call. If attending from a device other than a mobile phone, you will be required to download the Teams app prior to your appointment time.
- Find a secure, quiet and comfortable space for the assessment.
Appointment reminders
- We will send a reminder 4 days before your appointment. You will be given the option to confirm, cancel or reschedule.
- A second reminder will be sent 24 hours before your appointment, via SMS and email.
- Your appointment will last approximately 50 minutes and will take place over a Teams video call. You’re welcome to have a family member join you.
- You will be required to keep your camera on throughout the appointment, and provide photo ID at the start of the session.
- Your appointment will follow a structure to ensure all diagnostic criteria is covered within the appointment time.
- The doctor will carefully assess your mental health and gather a complete psychiatric history, considering other conditions that may be related to ADHD.
- They will ask you about the symptoms you described in your pre-assessment forms and about your past experiences. If any questions make you uncomfortable, please tell the doctor. They will not pressure you to share anything you are not comfortable with.
- If you wish to share more information at the end of your assessment, please tell your doctor you will add it to a note in your MedQare portal after the appointment. Ask them to consider it for your diagnosis.
- At the end of your assessment, the doctor will discuss their assessment findings and suggest any necessary treatments. If further information is required before reaching a diagnosis, they may schedule another appointment.
Accessing the appointment: your appointment link
You will access the appointment by clicking on your appointment link, which will be sent to you via SMS, email and through your MedQare portal account once your appointment booking has been confirmed.
To use the link in your MedQare patient portal, go to ‘Appointments’ in the menu, and click on the appointment link: ‘Accessing the Appointment: Your Appointment Link’.
If you encounter any technical difficulties, please contact us via our Virtual Assistance service, available from the portal, our website and the MedQare Companion app.
Please ensure you are logged into the portal and that your mobile phone is switched on for your appointment. The doctor may share a link to an alternative meeting platform if there are any technical difficulties.
Assessment outcome
At the end of your assessment, the doctor will discuss with you the findings and outcome of their assessment. This outcome will be communicated to your GP via a letter about your assessment. You will have access to a copy of this letter on your MedQare patient portal, although it may take 4 to 6 weeks to become available. If there is any information you prefer not to be included in the letter, please inform the doctor during your appointment. They can decide to omit it if it’s unrelated to your diagnosis.
Treatment for ASD
During your assessment, your doctor may recommend non-pharmacological treatment(s) which may be beneficial in helping to reduce the challenges of your condition.
There are a number of therapies that can help:
- Relationship therapy
- Family therapy
- Employment advice
- Occupational therapy
- Life skill training
- Coaching
- Reducing sensory sensitivities
- Work adjustments
- Psychotherapy targeting common disorders associated with ASD, such as anxiety and depression can be helpful.
Medication may also be prescribed to treat associated conditions, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Anxiety etc.
Self-help books, websites and online ASD forums can also be helpful. The following websites provide some useful resources:
To cancel or reschedule your appointment
If you wish to cancel or reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible using our Virtual Assistant service, available from our website, the portal and the Companion app.
Please remember: If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, it will be noted as ‘missed’. Missing 2 appointments will result in a discharge and referral back to your GP.
Please see our Booking, Cancellations and Non-Attendance (DNA) Policy.
ASD resources and support
Please find below some useful resources to download and keep:
What to expect from an ASD assessment
You may also like to browse our Resources area for additional information and support in understanding and managing ASD.
Contact us
The fastest way to contact us is via our Virtual Assistant service, available from our website, the portal and the Companion app.
If your query cannot be answered, it will be escalated to a Customer Support Advisor, or the most appropriate team to help with your issue during opening hours (Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm).
Frequently Asked Questions
You can seek a second opinion through Right to Choose, but we will require your GP to provide us with the previous report and related correspondence.
However, please note that if your assessment was performed by Psychiatry UK, we cannot offer you a second opinion through our service under RTC.
The DVLA recommends informing them only if your ADHD significantly impacts your ability to drive safely. If you’re uncertain about your condition’s effect on driving, it’s advisable to discuss it with your doctor. Additionally, it’s a wise measure to inform your insurance company about any relevant medical conditions.
Due to the high number of patients under our care, we may not always respond to patient requests immediately. Occasionally, your note may need to be forwarded from the customer support team to a member of your clinical team, which could result in a slightly longer response time. Rest assured, we strive to reply within 5 working days. Any updates to these response times will be communicated on the MedQare patient portal. Thank you for your understanding.
For urgent matters, please consider contacting us via our live chat during our opening hours (Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm). It’s important to note that, while we endeavour to provide timely assistance, we are not an emergency service and cannot offer emergency medical services for urgent or crisis situations, or for patients who are acutely ill.
Please leave a note on the portal with your requested amendments and assign the note to ‘Your Doctor’. This is the fastest method for getting any changes made.
We continue to experience unprecedented demand for referrals for both our adult ADHD and autism services, which has inevitably created waiting lists for assessment and treatment.
Please click here for our current waiting times. Our Customer Support team is unable to give any more information on waiting times over the phone or via our webchat, so please wait to be contacted by us.
If you are already registered with us, we will contact you by email and portal note to arrange the appointment, so please keep looking out for Psychiatry UK emails.
Please log into your account and click on the link to ‘My Profile’ in the menu on the left-hand side of the page. You can update all your personal details here.
To reset your password, please follow our guidance here.
Contact us via our Virtual Assistant service, available from our website, portal and Companion app. You will be guided to speak to a member of our IT Support team.