Adult Autism Assessments
SMART - Socrates Multidisciplinary Assessment and Review Team
We undertake adult autism assessments with 19–25-year-olds.
If you or your child is under 19 years of age, please refer to our Child and Young Person Assessments page here.
On this page is some information about our assessment process, if you have any questions at all please use the contact us form at the bottom of this page and we will respond promptly.
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​Introduction​
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Our team specialises in assessing individuals with complex presentations for Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC).
​​Autism Spectrum Conditions (also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder) are lifelong neuro-developmental conditions characterised by differences with social interaction, social communication and repetitive behaviours and sensory differences. Autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people and how they experience the world around them.
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We understand that seeking an autism assessment might feel daunting and overwhelming but that it can also be validating, empowering and often acts as the first step towards accessing support and appropriate accommodations to help you reach your full potential.
Our aim is to support you in gaining a clearer understanding of your strengths, needs, and experiences through a comprehensive assessment, diagnosis (if appropriate) and needs-led plans. We are committed to ensuring the assessment is in your best interests and tailored to your individual needs.
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Our neurodevelopmental assessments follow best practice guidelines such as those set by NICE. For example, assessments and decision making are undertaken by a multidisciplinary team, wherever possible we gather information from multiple informants and contexts, and we use recommended assessment tools. Our reports are of a high standard and meet all of the requirements that other services, such as NHS teams or employers, would be looking for. We have previously been commissioned to undertake assessments by several NHS teams as well as local authorities and schools.
​Our SMART team comprises of a range of highly experienced professionals including:
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Clinical Psychologists
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Speech & Language Therapists
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Occupational Therapists
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Educational Practitioner
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Therapeutic Social Worker
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Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Clinical Psychologists also support our team.
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Screening Appointment
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Prior to having a full autism assessment, the first step is to attend a screening appointment. The screening appointment is undertaken with one of our highly experienced Clinical Psychologists and consists of an appointment lasting up to one and a half hours with yourself. If you would prefer to be accompanied to this appointment, you are welcome to bring someone with you. This time provides an opportunity to explore your concerns, experiences, current strengths and differences and what has led to you considering having an assessment for an autism spectrum condition. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire during this session.
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Following the appointment, a brief summary letter will be provided outlining whether a full Autism Spectrum Condition assessment is recommended.
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It may become clear that further assessment is not recommended, if so, the clinician will outline the reasons for this and may signpost to other agencies. Our SMART team is based in Huddersfield and all appointments and assessments take place at our Huddersfield base.
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Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) Assessment
​If a full assessment is indicted from the screening appointment our comprehensive assessment is conducted in line with the NICE guidelines for Autism Spectrum Conditions in adults and draws on best practice recommendations including standardised assessment tools to ensure a thorough and person-centred approach.
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Assessments are undertaken face-to-face in our clinic but some aspects of the assessment such as the developmental history taking, and the feedback appointment may be completed online if this is preferred.
Our assessments are tailored to meet the needs of the individual but typically include:
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Taking a history from one or more people who know you and your early history well. This appointment will focus on your early development, behaviour and experiences as well as past medical history. It is ideal if you have a parent who can provide this information but other informants such as an older sibling, other family member, a partner or a close friend could be considered. The team would be happy to help you consider who would be the most appropriate person.
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At least one face to face appointment with you at our clinic. This typically involves carrying out a standardised observational assessment called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scheule-version 2 (ADOS-2) that includes a mixture of talking, questions and undertaking activities, assessment with a speech and language therapist and spending unstructured time with one of our clinician’s.
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Completing one or more psychometric questionnaires.
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If clinically indicated in the screening appointment a cognitive assessment will also be undertaken in order to gain a good understanding of your cognitive abilities.
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Where possible the assessment will also include reviewing any supplemental reports that you might have available and that you feel comfortable to share such as educational reports, previous professional assessments or information from occupational reviews.
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After the assessment has been completed the multi-disciplinary team will meet to review the information gathered and decide whether or not the criteria for a diagnosis of autism have been met. We use assessment criteria called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to help us in our decision making. The team will also consider any alterative diagnoses and will consider your areas of strength and differences in different contexts and settings.
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A feedback appointment will then be arranged to tell you about the findings from the assessments including whether or not a diagnosis of autism was made. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the assessment and the outcome. Recommendations for next steps will be made including telling your about relevant support and resources that are available for you and your family.
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Within a few weeks of the feedback, you will receive a detailed comprehensive report that includes information about all the assessments undertaken, the outcome of the assessment and recommendations for next steps and support.
