Dr Baig offers autism assessments for adults at Priory Well Being Centre in Southampton as well as via remote appointments.
The purpose of an autism assessment is to determine if your difficulties are related to autism or if there could be another explanation. Even if the assessment concludes that autism is not the diagnosis, it will still provide insight into what might be happening and guide the next steps. We believe that simply ruling out autism in this scenario is not helpful. Therefore, our assessment includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, with a specialist focus on autism. This assessment will help us develop a personalised treatment plan and determine whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate.
If an individual receives an autism diagnosis, we believe it's important to discuss what this means for them personally and how they can live a fulfilling life. We understand that every person with autism is unique; it's not about being deficient but rather being different.
It's important to note that our autism assessment does not include any diagnostic opinion on ADHD. If there are indications of possible ADHD, a separate comprehensive assessment would be recommended. However, we do offer a joint Autism and ADHD assessment package for £2500.
The Assessment Process
The assessment has the following components.
- Pre-assessment questionnaires are to be completed by you and a close relative.
- Pre-assessment completion of questionnaires via email or by phone with a close relative (60 minutes)
- Assessment with the patient including discussing opinion on the diagnosis and the next steps (90-120 minutes).
- Completion of diagnostic report.
We will request your GP summary records once you have completed the booking form and provided consent for GP records. Prior to the appointment, we will send you pre-assessment questionnaires online for completion by yourself and, if indicated, by a close relative who has known you well. These questionnaires need to be returned prior to your assessment meeting. Please provide details of the close relative, preferably a parent, in your booking information.
The third step in the assessment process is for your close relative to complete and return comprehensive information questionnaires by completing a structured form. If they cannot do so electronically, we must arrange for this to be completed on the phone, which may take 45-60 minutes.
We arrange a face-to-face or online appointment with the person requesting a diagnostic assessment. The appointment may take up to 90-120 minutes and includes a comprehensive autism evaluation as well as a broader psychiatric assessment. The assessment includes a discussion of diagnosis, any co-morbidities, and interventions that may be helpful.
The assessment fees exclude follow-up prescriptions, follow-up psychiatric consultations, and psychological treatment interventions.
Autism Report
A detailed Autism report that explains your diagnosis and recommendations will be provided for you and your GP after the appointment. You can share this report with anyone who needs to know about your condition. For autism assessments, the report will be available within four weeks of the assessment.
Additional letters to third parties can be provided as part of the initial assessment if needed. These letters only confirm the diagnosis for specific purposes such as work, education, or travel. However, please note that reports regarding specific adjustments required for work purposes are not included in this service. They require a separate occupational assessment to evaluate the specific work environment and address any related questions involved.