The Pathways process for assessing + diagnosing autism:

1. At Pathways, we care deeply about providing services with our client’s best-interests at heart. We aim to ensure that the private services you pursue, and for which you pay, will appropriately benefit your child. To ensure an autism assessment is needed for your child, we want you to have the opportunity to consult with our Psychologist first, before committing to the full assessment. Families should never feel pressured into pursuing a full assessment if it is not warranted for their child. Our Initial Consultation process allows you to discuss your questions and concerns with Dr. Switzer for a private 1.5-hour meeting, without your child present, to mutually determine if a full assessment is needed. Prior to pursuing an autism assessment, please ensure that your child’s hearing and vision have both been evaluated.
   The fee for this initial parent-only 1.5-hour consultation is $300, and is eligible for insurance coverage.

2. During the initial parent-only consultation, Dr. Switzer will advise on whether the full assessment is warranted or, if not, she can help identify other areas that may be a better support and path for your child. During this consultation, if you and Dr. Switzer mutually decide to pursue a full assessment, follow-up appointments will be booked with you and your child to come together to our child-centred clinic space for an in-person assessment.

3. If you pursue a full autism assessment, follow-up appointments with both you and your child will be booked to complete direct assessment/observations of your child. You will also be requested to completed a variety of standardized questionnaires. The Pathways Complete Autism Assessment includes all best practice testing necessary to determine whether a your child meets criteria for a diagnosis of autism or not.

   With your permission, and to ensure the most thorough assessment possible, Dr. Switzer will also reach out and consult with your child’s teacher, childcare provider, and/or other therapists as appropriate.

   After testing, scoring, and report-writing is completed, a follow-up parent-only consultation is booked to discuss the outcome of the assessment including any applicable diagnoses, referrals, and recommendations. It is important to understand that it is entirely possible for your child to go through the complete autism assessment process and not meet criteria for a diagnosis.
   The fee for a full autism assessment is $2900, and is also eligible for insurance coverage.

   • Please note: the $300 paid for the initial consultation is applied towards this fee, leaving $2600 owing for families who book a full assessment. Payments can be made by debit/credit card, and must be paid in full in advance of the in-person appointments with your child. Payment plans can be made available on an as-needed basis; please contact us to discuss available options.

4. Once the full assessment process is completed, and all required testing/scoring is finalized, you will receive a complete report outlining any applicable diagnoses for your child. Dr. Switzer will also refer you to any services and complete applications for provincial and federal funding for which your child is eligible. This diagnostic report is able to follow your child should need to pursue services in other provinces. Dr. Switzer will debrief the report with you and ensure you understand your child’s needs and abilities, and any additional supports that may benefit your child. Children who receive a diagnosis of autism are eligible to access the Government of Saskatchewan’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding Program. [For more details on this program, please click here.]