Alex Mortlock - Clinical Psychologist
· Christchurch, New Zealand ·
More Information
Autism Assessment
Autism in Adults
Autism Assessments: Diagnostic evaluations of autism for adult clients are designed to help people understand whether they have autism, identify their unique strengths and challenges, provide guidance for developing effective coping strategies, and obtain information regarding autism and supportive services.
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Recognising Autism: Each autistic person is different, but common traits include difficulties with social interaction and communication, sensory sensitivities, repetitive behaviours, and intense narrow interests. Autistic people may struggle to understand nonverbal communication and have difficulty with relationships. They may be sensitive to noise, bright light, or certain textures. They may struggle with change or ambiguity.
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Assessment Report: An autism assessment report will be supplied that can vary in scope from a concise letter summarising the findings to a comprehensive report, depending on your preferences and needs. Recommendations will be noted. This report can be used to help access supportive services and to communicate with healthcare providers.
Assessment Process
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Step 1 - Initial Contact: The assessment process usually begins with a brief exchange with my administrator over email. We will then usually book a 2-3 hour interview appointment and I will send through some screening questionnaires.
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Step 2 - Assessment Day: The assessment appointment is a three hour conversation about your individual characteristics, developmental history, and other relevant information. It is helpful but not essential to bring a family member, partner, or close friend to the interview. After the assessment, we will book a feedback appointment to review the outcome and recommendations.
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Step 3 - Additional Interviews and Document Review: Depending on your situation, the assessment may include a separate phone interview with a parent, partner, or friend, and a review of any relevant documents, such as school reports or previous assessments.
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Cost and Payment Information: The cost for an adult autism assessment which includes a comprehensive report is $1600. Payment must be made one week prior to the first assessment appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions​
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Q. Do you assess clients with autistic traits that are not obvious'?
Many of the clients I assess have a long history of masking their autistic traits. They often hold jobs, have meaningful relationships, and can make eye contact, so their traits may not be immediately apparent to others. In some cases, only the individual is aware of their internal struggle to navigate a predominantly non-autistic world. A thorough assessment considers both observable behaviours and internal experiences, which may only emerge in private or less structured environments.
Q. What happens on assessment day?
​A. The assessment interview is essentially a long sit-down conversation about your current experiences and recollections from childhood and adolescence. I ask people about their experiences with social interactions, nonverbal communication, interests, idiosyncratic behaviours, flexibility, sensory sensitivities, and other attributes. I also ask people about their education, work history, mental health, and other aspects of their background.
Q. How long is the assessment appointment?
​A. Assessment appointments are typically 3 hours. It is fine to take breaks if this would help. I am happy to book multiple smaller appointments on separate days if this is preferred.
Q. Are assessments stressful?
​A. A lot of clients tell me they feel nervous about the assessment beforehand. I endeavour to make it a pleasant, comfortable, and respectful experience. Most clients tell me they found the process much less stressful than expected. Many clients say that it was a positive experience to have someone listen carefully as they talked about their personal stories.
Q. Is it necessary to provide documents from my childhood?
​A. Childhood documents like school reports or assessment reports can be useful but are not mandatory.
Q. Must a family member be involved in the assessment?
A. Involvement of a family member, friend, or partner can be beneficial but is not obligatory. It is acceptable if you prefer to undergo the assessment without involving anyone close to you.
Q. Do I need to attend the assessment in person?
​A. Yes. At least one session is required to be attended in person. A comprehensive assessment of autism involves a degree of observation and interaction. Feedback and follow-up appointments can be held via videoconferencing if preferred.
Q. How long does the report take to produce?
​A. Reports typically take 1-2 weeks to prepare. I will send you a draft before the feedback session, so you can review it for any factual errors or concerns about the content.
Q. How should I prepare for the assessment?
A: No specific preparation is needed. However, you might find it helpful to look through old photos or writings to refresh your memory about your early life. If you'd like to jot down any notes, I’m happy to review them. During the session, please feel free to be yourself—there’s no need to mask any autistic traits. If you have sensory preferences, such as dimmed lighting, reduced noise, or adjusting the room temperature, let me know, and I’ll make the space more comfortable for you. You’re also welcome to bring any sensory aids or comfort items.
Q. Do you use the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)?
A. I do not use the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
Q. Is the assessment confidential?
​A. All information gathered during the assessment is held in strict confidence, adhering to professional ethical standards and legal requirements. The final report belongs to you, giving you the choice to share it with others as you see fit.
Q. Can you assess people from outside of Canterbury?
​A. I am happy to see individuals from anywhere in NZ provided they can travel to Christchurch for the assessment appointment.
Q. Do you assess children or adolescents under the age of 18 years?
​A. No, I don't assess individuals under 18. However, a number of child assessors are listed on the Community Links page on the Autism NZ website.
Q. What if I suspect I might have autism but aren't ready to jump into an assessment?
​A. You are welcome to book in an appointment to talk this through.
Q. Can I pay via credit card?
​A. I can arrange for credit card payment for assessment two weeks prior. There is a 2.7% surcharge.
Q. Do you require a GP referral?
​A. I do not require a GP referral.
Co-occuring ADHD
An assessment that includes both autism and potential co-occurring ADHD, sometimes known as 'AuDHD', involves a more complex evaluation. I recommend booking an individual psychology appointment beforehand to discuss this prior to signing up for the full assessment.
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A diagnosis of ADHD needs to be robustly evidence-based for a public mental health service psychiatrist to approve the prescription of stimulant medication. A specialised ADHD team within the public service reviews the psychologist's assessment report to make a prescribing decision; they do not meet the client in person. Their review process takes several weeks but does not add extra costs for the client. A drug test is often requested.
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I cannot guarantee that this team will authorise medication prescribing. The additional work of incorporating a formal ADHD evaluation into the autism assessment usually requires an additional appointment and additional report writing time, which increases the overall cost.
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Cost: Including both autism and ADHD in the assessment incurs a fee of $2400.
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Evidence Required: Corroborating evidence from a reliable source is essential. This might be a parent or older sibling or from relevant documents. Relevant written records typically include school reports from primary or intermediate school or childhood assessments that indicate the presence of ADHD symptoms before the age of 12. Please review the documents and/or speak to the involved relative to confirm that there is clear and unambiguous corroborating evidence prior to making contact.
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Alternative Options: If confirmatory collateral information is not available, I suggest contacting a private psychiatrist who may have different requirements. If your primary interest lies in an assessment principally for ADHD rather than autism, I can suggest other assessors who may be available.