Analyses, examinations, procedures

Adults who experience difficulties in their daily lives, particularly in social relationships, sensitivity to sensory stimuli or difficulty regulating their emotions are welcome to the autism spectrum disorder testing.

A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder helps the individual and their loved ones to better understand why they experience difficulties in certain situations. In addition, it helps to correct any previous mental health disorder diagnoses, leading to more appropriate interventions and support to improve coping with daily life.

Autism spectrum disorder is caused by developmental brain differences. Its core symptoms are persistent difficulties in social interactions, repetitive and rigid behaviour patterns, resistance to change and limited interests. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can vary both between individuals and at different life stages. It is also significantly affected by potential comorbid disorders.

People with autism spectrum disorder often experience difficulties in situations requiring cognitive and behavioural flexibility – they have difficulties regulating their emotions and processing sensory information and have altered sensory sensitivity. The disorder usually manifests in early childhood and is a lifelong condition – only in very rare cases do the characteristics of autism pass by adulthood.

The symptoms of autism spectrum disorder may include:

• difficulty maintaining eye contact when interacting with others
• a preference for doing things alone and limited sharing of their thoughts and emotions
• difficulty holding conversations
• frequent excessive focus on a topic of interest during conversations, irrespective of the other person’s reactions
• idiosyncratic speech and gestures
• difficulty understanding others’ perspectives and activities or difficulty anticipating how other people might react in certain situations
• difficulty adapting their behaviour to different social situations
• difficulty making friends
• repetitive behaviour patterns or unusual behaviour
• persistent and intense interest in specific subjects
• frustration at changes in plans and routines
• increased sensitivity to light, sound, temperature or the texture of different textiles

The appointment includes:

• A clinical interview and questionnaires to assess emotional state
• A structured diagnostic interview
• Analysis and summary of results
• Additional procedures such as an interview with a loved one or additional testing may be necessary to make the diagnosis.

Important information about the test:

• The test is done from the age of 18.
• We recommend that you come to the test feeling fresh and rested
• The interview and tests will be carried out at the first meeting. Allow three hours for this.
• Feedback on the results of the test will be given in a separate meeting, a suitable time for which will be agreed at the patient’s request.
• The diagnosis will be confirmed by a psychiatrist, who works with information provided by the individual, a mental state examination and the results of tests conducted by the clinical psychologist.