Autism Assessment Team
Autism Assessment Team
What is the Autism Assessment Team?
The Autism Assessment Team is an interdisciplinary team which provides assessment, diagnostic, and supportive services through an interagency model to preschool and school-aged children and youth who present with concerns related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Who is on the team?
The team is comprised of health and education professionals from Western Health, Eastern Health and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District. Team members include a Pediatrician, Psychologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and an Intake Coordinator.
What does the team do?
An intake interview is completed with the child/youth's family. Assessments from various services may be completed with the individual (i.e., speech-language pathology; psychology). The team assessment may include a diagnostic interview with caregiver(s) and an observation of the child/youth. The assessment is led by a registered psychologist or pediatrician with competencies in ASD diagnostics.
Once the assessment process is complete, a session is held with the family to discuss the assessment outcome. Follow-up and supportive counseling may be provided to all families by the Intake Coordinator who has a Social Work background.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can refer?
Referrals can be made by health or education professionals.
There are specific referral criteria:
- The child/youth must have suspected concerns in the areas of social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. These concerns must have been present in the early developmental period.
- Must be a permanent resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Referrals are accepted for children and youth under the age of 18 years (or 21 if remaining in high school).
What is the wait time for an assessment?
The intake process commences shortly following the receipt of a referral. Wait times for a team assessment are dependent upon the number of referrals registered with the service.
What happens for children/youth who do not receive a diagnosis?
The team provides recommendations for all children/youth assessed, regardless of diagnosis, and will help families obtain appropriate services.
Is there support for families?
The Intake Coordinator is available to provide short-term supportive counseling to all families. Counseling may be provided at any time in the assessment process.
CLINIC LOCATION
Autism Assessment Team clinics are held on the 3rd Floor in Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook. Referrals can be forwarded to the Intake Coordinator at the address below:
Autism Assessment Team
Western Memorial Regional Hospital
P.O. Box 2005, Corner Brook, NL A2H 6J7
Telephone (709) 784-6655
Fax: (709) 637-5155
E-mail: autismintake@westernhealth.nl.ca
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