Hi, I'm Maureen - the newest member of the Cultivate Wellness team!
I offer Neurodiversity Affirmative Autism Assessments. This means my assessment lens does not focus on deficits, or ‘what’s wrong’, but rather, on how the individual I am working with experiences the world. I use this information to determine if this individual is neurodivergent, and part of the Autistic community, or if their experience can be explained by something else. Things I consider very important when completing an assessment are an individuals unique strengths, traits, talents, interests, passions and protective factors. We will also explore areas of support and need throughout the assessment process so that I can provide recommendations and ideas for these areas. I write up a detailed report, and my hope is that the individual participating sees themselves reflected back in my writing, and that through this process they learn some interesting and useful things about themselves. If there are any specific questions a client or their family would like answered through an assessment, I will do my best to answer these using the assessment tools I have available to me.
I want individuals and their families to feel comfortable and prepared to go through the assessment process. Part of this is knowing what to expect. A typical Autism Assessment will include:
- A package of questions that I will send out and would be helpful for me to know prior to meeting for the first time
- An intake interview with parents and possibly an older youth to discuss things like current concerns, life at home and school, relationships, mood, passions, strengths, coping strategies, health and family history and any other relevant information (1.5 hours)
- Clinical Interview based on diagnostic criteria for Autism with parents and possibly an older youth (1.5 hours)
- Questionnaires/rating scales/surveys filled out by parents, a teacher (if applicable) and possibly an older youth
- Cognitive Assessment (3 hours)
- Structured Autism-specific interview/assessment tool (1 to 2 hours)
- Speech and language assessment with a Speech Pathologist, if required (2 hours)
- I will also review applicable school records and write a report where I will provide an interpretation of results, if there are any diagnoses and personalized recommendations.
I am happy to explain an assessment in more detail or answer further questions during a telephone call consultation. Consultations can be booked through my Jane schedule or by emailing me directly.
