Autism diagnosis and assessment in Dubai

How does an autism assessment work?

Many parents search for an "autism test". In fact, no single test, scan or blood test can show autism. Instead, specialists build a full picture of the person.

An assessment usually looks at:

• Your child's storyTheir early years, development, health and family life.
• Daily life at home and schoolInformation from nursery or school can help.
• Time with your childHow they talk, play and connect with others. At our clinic, this can include the ADOS-2, a standard observation carried out by one of our psychologists.
• Strengths as well as needsWhat your child enjoys and does well, not only what's hard.
• Other possible reasonsSuch as ADHD, anxiety or a speech and language delay.

NICE, the UK body that writes health guidance, advises that a diagnosis comes from all of this together. It should never rest on one tool alone.

The result. Your specialist explains what they found, face to face and in plain words. Some assessments confirm autism. Others point to something else. Either way, you talk through what could help next.

Who confirms an autism diagnosis?

Depending on age and needs, you may see a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or both. Only our psychiatrists confirm an autism diagnosis. For children and teenagers, that is one of our consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists or our Medical Director. For adults, it is one of two psychiatrists. Our psychologists assess children from 5 and carry out the ADOS-2 observation.

For other worries about your child, see child and adolescent psychiatry.

Getting ready for the first appointment

You don't need a referral to book. If your child feels nervous, read our tips on explaining the visit to your child. Any other questions before the day? Ask us on the free call.

Support after an autism assessment

A diagnosis is a starting point, not a limit on your child.

After an assessment, our psychologists can support your child and your family:

• Making sense of the diagnosisWhat autism means for your child, in words that fit their age.
• Help that respects how your child thinksThis is sometimes called neuro-affirming support. It builds on your child's strengths, and doesn't try to change who they are.
• Ideas for homeOur psychologists work closely with parents on daily life and ways to help.
• Help with worriesIf anxiety or low mood come up, our psychologists for children and teenagers can help.

Our psychiatrists are in the same clinic, if your child also needs a medical view.

Autism assessment for adults

Many adults only start to wonder about autism later in life. Some begin to wonder after a child or relative is diagnosed. Others have always felt different, at work or with friends, without knowing why.

An adult assessment looks at how you communicate, think and cope, both now and when you were young. With your OK, your specialist may also want to hear from someone who has known you a long time, such as a parent or sibling.

Dr Imran Mushtaq and Dr Saima Jehanzeb assess adults, and both can confirm a diagnosis. The ADOS-2 observation is available for adults too. For other care for adults, see our psychiatrists in Dubai.