Autism Assessment
At Empowerment Psychology, our experienced psychologists specialise in working with both children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Our clinicians are regarded as leaders in the field of autism, and we are committed to providing assessments that follow gold-standard, evidence-based practices. A particular area of expertise within our team is recognising how autism presents in girls and women, who are often underdiagnosed or diagnosed later due to differences in presentation and masking.
Dr Missy Wolfman, Director and Clinical Psychologist, has a special focus on supporting mothers who are autistic or have ADHD. She brings extensive expertise in neurodivergent assessment and therapy, having previously served as the lead psychologist for ADHD and autism assessments at Marinoto North (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Waitematā DHB, Health NZ). Alongside her clinical work, she has experience across both public and private settings and regularly provides training and workshops, including with Auckland University of Technology.
If you are unsure whether an autism assessment is right for you or your child, we welcome you to get in touch for a conversation. Our team will be happy to guide you through the process
Autism assessment for children and teens (5-17 years old)
Our child autism (ASD) assessments are evidence-based and designed to provide a thorough and accurate understanding of your child’s needs. We gather information from multiple sources to ensure a well-rounded picture of your child’s development, strengths, and challenges.
What the Assessment Involves
Clinical interviews: Sessions with your child and with you to explore ASD symptoms, developmental history, and overall mental health. During the initial assessment, we may use structured tools such as the Monteiro Interview Guideline for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Condition (MIGDAS) or the Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA).
Psychometric questionnaires: Completed by you, your child (if age-appropriate), and in some cases your child’s teachers, to provide additional perspectives.
Review of records: Examination of school reports and any relevant medical or psychiatric notes.
What’s Included in the ASD Assessment Package
Initial assessment session with your child and you (80 minutes)
Developmental history session with you (50 minutes)
Psychometric questionnaires for parents, your child, and teachers (if appropriate)
Feedback session (50 minutes)
ASD resources sent to you following the feedback session if a diagnosis is confirmed
Comprehensive diagnostic report (6–10 pages) summarising findings and recommendations
Referrals where appropriate, for example to Kaikaranga (previously Taikura Trust), a Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) service, or other relevant support organisations
Fees and Payment
Assessment package fee: $1,800 (including GST)
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Autism assessment for adults (18+ years old)
Our adult autism (ASD) assessments are comprehensive, evidence-based, and designed to provide clarity and understanding. We use information from a range of sources to ensure an accurate and thorough evaluation.
What the Assessment Involves
Clinical interviews: Sessions with you to explore autism-related traits, developmental history, and mental health background.
Psychometric questionnaires: Completed by you and, where possible, by someone close to you (such as a parent or guardian) who can provide additional perspective.
Review of records: Examination of past school reports and any relevant medical or psychiatric notes to add further context.
What’s Included in the ASD Assessment Package
Initial assessment session with you (80 minutes)
Developmental history session (50 minutes) — with you and/or a parent or guardian, depending on your circumstances
Psychometric questionnaires for you and, where possible, someone who knew you as a child
Feedback session (50 minutes)
Comprehensive diagnostic report (6–8 pages) summarising findings and recommendations
Important Information
For an autism diagnosis, we require collateral information from someone who knew you well before age 12 (for example, a parent, guardian, or family member). If this information is not available, it may be more appropriate to consult with a psychiatrist for assessment.
Fees and Payment
Assessment package fee: $1,800 (including GST)
Our evidence-based autism assessment process
Frequently Asked Questions
Our autism assessments are comprehensive and evidence-based. They typically include a clinical interview, developmental history, psychometric questionnaires, review of school/medical records, a feedback session, and a detailed written report. Depending on the age of the client, we may also use structured tools such as the MIGDAS (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum) or BOSA (Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism).
Yes. We provide autism assessments for both children and adults. Our team has specialist expertise in recognising autism in girls and women, who are often underdiagnosed due to differences in presentation.
Some components of the autism assessment can be done online, particularly developmental history interview and feedback sessions. However, certain structured observations will need to be completed in person. We will discuss what works best for your situation when planning the assessment.
The assessment process usually takes 4–6 weeks, depending on availability of collateral information (such as school reports, questionnaires, or developmental input from family).
The full autism assessment package is $1,800 (including GST). Payment is divided into two instalments: the first is required before the initial session to secure your booking, and the second is due after the first appointment.
Yes. You will receive a comprehensive diagnostic report (typically 6–10 pages) summarising the assessment findings, diagnosis (if applicable), and tailored recommendations. If needed, we can also provide a diagnostic letter for school, university, or workplace accommodations.
Yes. While developmental history before age 12 is required for a diagnosis, this doesn’t always have to come from parents. We can work with you to find alternative ways of gathering this information, such as interviewing a sibling, other relative, or friend who knew you in childhood.
Yes. School reports can be helpful but are not essential. We can explore other sources of information, such as interviews with relatives or friends who knew you as a child, or other relevant records.
For children, school input is very important to capture how your child functions across different environments. If the school is unable to provide reports or feedback, we will work with you to find other ways of gathering this information to support an accurate assessment.
Yes. If you or your child would benefit from therapy after the assessment, you are welcome to continue working with one of our psychologists. Our approach is neuro-affirming, strengths-based, and tailored to the unique needs of autistic people.
You’re welcome to contact us for a chat. Our team will be happy to discuss your situation and guide you through whether an assessment is the right next step.