If your child is under six years old they need to be assessed by a full team, including a physician, speech pathologist and a psychologist or other professional specially trained to use these specialized autism tools. If your child is older than that a psychologist alone (again, with the appropriate skills) can complete the testing, but always needs an assessment from your paediatrician or family doctor. This is in order to full out other possible causes for the symptoms you are concerned about. While it isn't necessary at this age to include a speech pathologist, it's a good idea if the psychologist isn't familiar with speech and language problems.
Several hospitals and other provincial facilities provide these assessments for free. Why do people go to a private practitioner? Some simply want their own doctor rather than one paid by the government. Some are getting a second opinion. And finally, there is a significant waiting list for the services the province provides.
Often it is appropriate, and really necessary, to also complete a "psychoeducational" assessment. Students with Autism and Asperger's often have co-morbid disorders that need treatment, including school related problems such as learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety or depression. In most cases, unless such an examination has already taken place, the psychoeducational examination is necessary.
How much should this cost? The cost varies from one autism assessment to another. One child may take a long time completing the tasks that are part of the exam, and another may need several additional tests to get to a learning disability. So it should vary. Costs run, on average, from $1,600-$2,600.00 depending upon how much work is to be done.
My final recommendation is that you always find a professional who has experience with schools, knows how schools work, how teachers react to suggestions and plans. If the professional does't have experience with the classroom they will have a hard time making realistic suggestions for accommodations and supports. They should also have hands on experience in dealing with children with behavioural problems. Don't be afraid to ask. You can find a psychologist with expertise in autism through the British Columbia Psychological Association.
About Dr. Roche:
Dr. Jim Roche is a Registered Psychologist and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist with offices in Vancouver and Burnaby, BC. He has been in practice for over 25 years and has served as a Provincial Consultant on Asperger's/Autism/ASD as well as Director of Behaviour Programming for several school districts here in Canada, in New York and California. In addition to being a Registered Psychologist he is a Certified/Licensed Teacher of Special Education and School Psychologist.
Other information about Dr. Roche can be found at: www.relatedminds.com , www.relatedminds.com/adhd, http://Therapists.Psychologytoday.com/70682, www.bcpsychologist.org/users/jimroche, http://psyris.com/drjimroche.
Specific Information about his services for children with autism and Asperger's Disorder can be found at: http://www.relatedminds.com/autism/
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