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Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Assessment and Diagnosis

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What is an Autistic Spectrum Disorder? ¶

Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are a range of related developmental disorders that begin in childhood and persist throughout adulthood.

ASD can cause a wide range of symptoms, which are grouped into three broad categories:

Problems and difficulties with social interaction, such as a lack of understanding and awareness of other people's emotions and feelings.
Impaired language and communication skills, such as delayed language development and an inability to start conversations or take part in them properly.
Unusual patterns of thought and physical behaviour. This includes making repetitive physical movements, such as hand tapping or twisting. The child develops set routines of behaviour, which can upset the child if the routines are broken.

Assessment ¶

The "gold standard" approach to the assessment of autism places an emphasis on multi-professional input, but in practice this is often difficult to arrange even within established NHS services. As a consequence, diagnoses are often made by professionals in isolation, or are not made at all.

PSP offers a comprehensive assessment service for young people and adults where there are queries around Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Our broad range of experience means that we are able to provide a combination of clinical and educational assessments that highlight a person's strengths as well as difficulties.

View our assessment packages

Our Lead Professionals for ASD ¶

Dr Simon Bird is a Clinical Psychologist working both independently and within the NHS. He has formal training in the use of the Austism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, in addition to 10 years experience of interview-based assessment approaches.

Dr Jonathan Jones is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working with adults with ASD. He has formal training in the DISCO assessment interview and has been involved in the diagnosis and treatment of people with ASD for over 10 years.

Joanne Cousins is a senior Educational Psychologist working independently and within Bristol Local Eucation Authority where she takes a lead role for the ASD population.

Links ¶

National Autistic Society (NAS) - general site http://www.nas.org.uk/ - the UK's main ASD-secific support organisation. A great starting point for families or individuals with questions about ASD
NAS services directory http://www.autismdirectory.org.uk/ - a comprehensive list of resources for people with ASD and their families, searchable by area and type of input required
Wrong Planet.net http://www.wrongplanet.net/ - a web community designed for individuals (and parents / professionals of those) with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences