Diagnostic Assessment Services

 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Each person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unique and will have different abilities. Symptoms caused by ASDs might be very mild in one person and quite severe in another (definition by Autism Canada).
• ASD is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others, along with a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviour and/or to have very specific interests/ways of doing things.
• Some people with ASD may have strengths in visual reasoning (e.g. puzzles), computer interests and skills, a strong interest in electronics, memory, reading, drawing and music.
• These strengths are often combined with difficulties/differences in other areas of development.
• Symptoms of ASD can make it harder to communicate with others, interact with others, and make friends.
• Individuals with ASD may have very specialized/unique interests, make repeated body movements, and/or play with toys differently (e.g. lining up/banging toys, playing with toys in the same way over and over).
• They may find it harder to cope with changes in their routine or have their own unique way of doing things. People with ASD may respond to sensory input (e.g. everyday sounds, touch, food, clothing textures, lights) more strongly than others.
• There are many possible causes of ASD (e.g. genetic, biological, environmental). Parenting style and vaccines do not cause ASD.
• If your child is diagnosed with ASD, it is recommended that you see your child's family doctor or pediatrician to see if more medical testing is needed.
• For more information on ASD, including common characteristics, please visit the Geneva Centre for Autism website.

Global Developmental Delay (GDD)

• Every child has areas of strengths and weaknesses. A diagnosis of GDD is made when there are significant delays in several areas of development. Only children under 5 years old can be diagnosed with GDD. Often the child is not yet ready for formal problem-solving testing.
• If diagnosed with GDD, it will be recommended that your child participate in another diagnostic assessment when they are older. This will provide more information about their abilities and give further suggestions to help with their learning challenges.
• There are many possible causes of GDD (e.g. genetics, injury, illness). However, the specific cause is often unknown.
• If your child is diagnosed with GDD, it is recommended that you see your child's family doctor or pediatrician to see if more medical testing is needed.

Intellectual Disability (ID)

"Children with an intellectual disability have challenges in thinking and learning, and have difficulty with daily activities. They are generally slower than other children in developing motor skills and speech and language skills."

Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, BC Children’s Hospital [Internet]. Children with an Intellectual Disability; 2013 [cited 25 Jul 2018]. Document No.: BCCH1657.

• Every child has areas of strengths and weaknesses.
• A diagnosis of ID is made when there are significant delays in many areas of development (e.g. communication, problem-solving, learning, personal care, play, social skills, motor skills).
• These delays affect a child's day-to-day life (e.g. self-care, social successes, school work).
• A diagnosis of ID is based on the child's results from problem-solving testing, learning and behaviour at home, abilities at school/childcare, and behaviour during the appointment(s).
• There are many possible causes of ID (e.g. genetics, injury, illness). However, the specific cause is often unknown.
• If your child is diagnosed with ID, it is recommended that you see your child's family doctor or pediatrician to see if more medical testing is needed.
• Find out more about ID.

 Getting ready for a diagnostic assessment

Here you will find information on what you can expect from the diagnostic assessment process.

 Day of the assessment

Helpful tips:

• Bring your child's health card.
• Only parent(s) or legal guardians can bring the child to the first appointment.
• It is important for your child to focus on the requested assessment activities, so we ask that brothers/sisters not come to the appointment(s).
• Bring all reports not previously shared with us. This will help us better understand your child. These include health documents (e.g. speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and medical reports), and school documents (e.g. report cards and program plans).
  • If you already have a diagnostic/assessment report from a developmental pediatrician/pediatrician or psychologist, please notify us ahead of time.
  • I have a diagnostic/assessment report, who do I contact? Please contact Nicole Hammond, Psychometrist, by calling 613-737-0871 x 2904.
• Consider bringing nut-free snacks as the appointments can sometimes last a few hours.
• For more information, including what to expect from the diagnostic assessment process, view the day of assessment brochure.
• View the assessment preparation checklist.

 After the assessment

Following a diagnostic assessment, your child may have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Intellectual Disability (ID), a different diagnosis, or no diagnosis. The psychologist or developmental pediatrician/pediatrician who conducted your child's assessment will have provided you with recommendations for services or therapies (i.e. next steps).

Depending on the needs of your child, you may be directed to one or more of the following services:

• Therapy (e.g. speech-language therapy, occupational therapy)
• Nutrition
• Mental Health
• Behavioural Services
• Case Management
• Social Work/Counselling
• Daycare Support
• Community Supports (e.g. parent and youth groups)
• Ontario Autism Program

These services may be provided by another organization, department, or team within CHEO.

You may need to self-refer your child in order to access the recommended service(s). It is important to follow through with the health-care professional's recommendations in order to maximize the opportunities for your child.

If you live outside of the Ottawa area, you will be provided with information about services that are closer to your home.

Following the diagnostic assessment, we encourage families to follow-up with their child's primary health-care provider to discuss results of the assessment and next steps.

If you did not receive, or cannot remember whether you received, recommendations for your child's next steps, please contact the health-care professional who conducted your child's diagnostic assessment.

To learn more about developmental disabilities, therapies, and resources that may be available to your child and your family, please view our brochures on:

• Next Steps
• Available therapies and services
• Commonly asked questions