Autism is a highly heritable neurotype, often first seen in childhood, that impacts a person in varying ways through their lifespan. It is one of many possible neurotypes affecting how people perceive, understand, communicate, and experience the world.

It is often characterized by differences in brain function that impact behavior, in social interactions and communication, sensory processing, focused interests, and repetitive behavior.

At the Centre, our understanding of autism is guided by a neuroaffirmative approach.  We consider autism as a natural variation in human neurology. It is not a disorder or pathology that needs to be "fixed." As such, our assessments value neurological differences and the heterogeneity of the autistic experience. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a diagnostic term used in the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision), a handbook used by health professional to diagnose many health conditions.  

It outlines the diagnostic criteria for ASD as: persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction; and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interest, or activities. 

The term "spectrum" refers to the wide range of traits that impact daily function in different ways.

Each autistic adult experiences the world in a different way, at different times, and in different contexts. Many autistic people describe the following:

1. Social Communication and Interaction:

• Making conversation: conversation less likely to flow back-and-forth flow; enjoys talking about own preferred topics or topics of shared interests.
• Making or maintaining close friendships: finds it easier to communicate and relate to those who are not peers; prefers friendships with other neurodivergent adults.
• Non-verbal communication: neutral use of facial expressions; minimal use of gestures and social cues; interpretation of others’ emotions through observing body language varies.
•  Sarcasm or idioms: interprets language literally.

            2.   Restrictive or Repetitive Behaviors:

• Thought patterns and behaviors: preference for routines, familiarity, and predictability; shows strong emotions to change and uncertainty.
• Repetition: preference for repetitive movements, vocalizations, or use of objects such as rocking, repeating words, or patterning/sequencing objects; uses repetition as a means of self-regulation.

             3.  Sensory Processing Issues: 

• Over-responsivity: reactivity such as developing a head when smells lemon; feels pain when lightly touched.
• Under-responsivity: reactivity such as not hearing a car approaching; not getting dizzy with excessive spinning.
• Sensory fixation: fascinated by certain repetitive movements, sounds, smells, textures.

             4.  Interests and Activities:

• Interest in specific topics: having a deep, focused interest, or passion engaging with interests; engaging with interest repeatedly. 

             5.  Strengths:

• Attention to Detail: noticing details and patterns that others might overlook.
• Memory: retention and recall of large amounts of information, often in specific areas of interest.
• Logical Thinking and Analytical Abilities: approaching complex problems in a structured, systematic way.
• Pattern Recognition: identifying and interpreting patterns, trends, and connections.
• Honesty and Reliability: having a strong sense of responsibility, honesty, and fairness.

                    1. Self-Acceptance and Understanding: 

• Receiving a diagnosis can provide a sense of clarity and validation. It can help explain your behaviours and experiences, leading to greater self-acceptance and understanding.

                    2. Mental Health Support and Services: 

• A diagnosis can improve mental health by addressing feelings of confusion, isolation, and self-doubt. It can inform a plan of accessing targeted therapies and support that focus on strengths and strategies.

                    3. Connecting with Others: 

• Knowing you are autistic can help you connect with other autistic individuals, fostering a sense of community and shared  experiences. This can reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a support network.

                    4. Access to Resources: 

• A formal diagnosis can provide access to various resources and accommodations that can help you navigate your workplace. This includes access to support services, educational programs, and workplace accommodations.

                   5. Improved Relationships: 

• Understanding your Autism can enhance relationships by improving communication and reducing misunderstandings with family, friends, and colleagues. It can also help  others understand and provide support.

                    6. Career and Education Adjustments: 

• With a diagnosis, you can seek accommodations in educational settings, making it easier to manage these environments. This may include sensory-adjustments or additional resources.

                    7. Legal and Financial Benefits: 

• In some cases, a diagnosis can provide access to legal protections and financial benefits, such as disability benefits or accommodations.

                   8. Personal Growth and Development: 

• Understanding your strengths and challenges can lead to personal growth and development. It allows you to set realistic goals and develop strategies to manage daily life more effectively.

In Canada, Autism can be assessed by a range of regulated healthcare professionals who have specific training and experience in assessing Autism Spectrum Disorder. The exact list of professionals may vary slightly by province, but generally includes:

• Medical doctors: This includes family physicians, pediatricians, developmental pediatricians, and psychiatrists who have undergone specific training in Autism Assessment.
• Registered psychologists with expertise in Autism Assessment .
• Nurse practitioners: In some provinces, nurse practitioners with training in Autism Assessments.

Autism Assessments can be quite varied in terms of their style and approach. We suggest you meet with the practitioners involved with your Autism Assessment to ensure you understand their process and that they clearly understand the goals you have for the Assessment.

• At the Adult Autism Centre, there is a large team of health care professionals and staff that are passionate about supporting adults. This includes medical practitioners, registered clinical counsellors, psychotherapists, educational experts, sleep specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and pharmacologists.
• While these practitioners will be involved in reviewing your situation and provide recommendations to assist you moving forward, your actual interview will be with Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, Dr. Anita Parhar, and a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
•  We will explain the Autism Assessment process to you during the first meeting.

Yes, Autistic adults may be eligible to apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) in Canada, provided they meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit designed to support individuals with severe and prolonged impairments in physical or mental functions.

To qualify, an Autistic adult must have a significant restriction in one or more basic activities of daily living (such as speaking, hearing, walking, or performing mental functions necessary for everyday life) or require extensive life-sustaining therapy. The impairment must be prolonged (lasting or expected to last at least 12 months) and present at least 90% of the time.

A qualified medical practitioner, such as a physician or psychologist, must complete and certify the DTC application form (T2201), detailing how autism significantly restricts daily functioning.

To apply for the Disability Tax Credit, visit https://disabilityteam.ca/

• Both Dr. Gurdeep Parhar and Dr. Anita Parhar have had extensive training in Autism Assessment, including the use of the ADOS-2 and the ADI-R, which are considered to be gold standards for autism assessment. 
•  As many of the current tools being used for assessing adults are designed for children, a combination of tools, such as the CAT-Q, RAADS-r, AQ, and Sensory Profile, will be used to inform the discussion you will have about your experiences in your interview. Screening tools for many other health conditions will also be used. 
• A diagnosis made using Autism Assessment Tools, findings from discussions with you, and the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is completely valid.

• To have an Autism Assessment that is paid for by the provincial health care plan (with no payment from you), you can ask your health care practitioner for a referral to a psychiatrist or a pediatrician. 
• The multi-disciplinary team approach to the Autism Assessment involves the services and expertise of many different health care practitioners.  These health care practitioners are not covered by the provincial health care plan, and thus payment is needed to cover their services. 
•  While Dr. Gurdeep Parhar is a medical doctor, his involvement in the Autism Assessment is as a volunteer. He is not billing the provincial health care plan nor is he being paid privately. Dr. Gurdeep Parhar has been providing volunteer health and education services in areas of need for many years across Canada and globally.

• Dr. Gurdeep Parhar and Dr. Anita Parhar recognize that obtaining a timely, affordable assessment for Autism is challenging for adults in Canada. To improve access, they have opened a Centre to offer Autism Assessments at a cost of $2500.
• To ensure that those struggling financially also have access to an Autism Assessment, the Compassion Program will cover $1000 of the $2500. 
• If you qualify for the Compassion Program, your total cost for the Autism Assessment will be $1500. 

• After the completion of the assessment, an Autism Assessment Report will be written and emailed to you. It will include details of your lived experience, your medical history, and, if you meet the diagnostic criteria, a formal confirmation of autism. 
• We will also provide recommendations on how to position you for success in various settings including school, work, home, and social life going forward. 
• If the assistance of other professionals such as counsellors and coaches are required, we will make those suggestions.
• If it is concluded that you do not meet the DSM-5 criteria for ASD, we will provide an explanation and provide recommendations for management.

As each private Extended Benefits Plan is different, it is best that you contact your benefits plan to ask if a Registered Clinical Counsellor is covered.  If you require a receipt, please email the Adult Autism Centre.

• We believe your Autism Assessment will be a positive experience and provide guidance  moving forward.
•  If you are not satisfied with the Autism Assessment process, your payment will be refunded. 

 For an ADHD Assessment please use one of these links:

 www.adultadhdcentre.com

 www.adhdcentreforwomen.com