New Tide Counselling & Consulting offers comprehensive autism assessments in New Brunswick for adults and children ages 10 and older. Autism assessments draw on clinical interviews, developmental history, direct observation, and standardized tools to evaluate whether DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria are met. Our approach is neuroaffirming, with attention to each person’s strengths and support needs.
What Is an Autism Assessment?
An autism assessment, also called an autism spectrum assessment, autism testing, or an ASD assessment, is a comprehensive clinical evaluation of social communication, behaviour, sensory experiences, and adaptive functioning, built from a clinical interview, direct observation, and standardized testing, not a quick online quiz.
Autism assessments and ADHD can occur together. Depending on your concerns, an ADHD evaluation or psychoeducational testing may also be appropriate. We’ll discuss whether to include these as part of your assessment.
Signs & Who This Assessment Is For
You don’t need to check every box to wonder if this fits, autism can look different in adults than it does in children and youth. Here’s what New Brunswick adults, and parents of children and youth ages 10 and up, most often notice before reaching out for autism assessments.
| Sign | Adults | Children & Youth (Ages 10+) |
|---|---|---|
| Social connection & communication | Feeling like you connect with people differently than everyone else seems to, or finding social cues, small talk, and unwritten rules hard to read | Differences in eye contact, back-and-forth conversation, or making friends |
| Intense or focused interests | Interests so focused that others find them hard to relate to | Narrow interests your child returns to again and again |
| Sensory sensitivities | Certain sounds, textures, or environments feel overwhelming | Sensitivities to noise, textures, food, or clothing |
| Meltdowns, shutdowns & transitions | Shutdowns after a day that looked fine from the outside | Strong reactions to routine changes, or meltdowns that seem bigger than the situation |
| Masking & self-understanding | Feeling you have to rehearse conversations or copy others to fit in socially. | Describing efforts to copy peers or hide discomfort at school, sometimes feeling exhausted afterwardز |
| Repetitive movements, use of objects, or speech | Repeated movements such as rocking or hand movements, repeatedly handling objects in particular ways, or repeating words or phrases | Repeated movements such as rocking or hand-flapping, lining up or repeatedly turning objects, or repeating words or phrases |
These experiences are not specific to autism, but they may be worth discussing if they affect daily life. Whether you’re seeking an assessment for yourself or your child, a free consultation offers an opportunity to explore whether it would be appropriate.
Our Services
What Sets New Tide Apart
Why Choose New Tide?
The Benefits of Working With Us
Accessible Mental Health Services
Our in-person and virtual counselling options make mental health support available to everyone, with reduced-rate options to lower cost barriers.
Trauma-Informed, Evidence-Based Care
Our team uses specialized training and proven methods to deliver culturally safe, compassionate, and effective support tailored to your needs.
Community-Focused Approach
We collaborate with Indigenous communities and a wide range of community organizations across New Brunswick to strengthen mental wellness and resilience.
Comprehensive Services for All Needs
From individual therapy to organizational consulting, we provide a wide array of services to meet personal and professional challenges.
Get the Answers You’ve Been Looking For
Book a confidential autism assessment with our registered provisional psychologist at our Miramichi office, with virtual consultation and feedback sessions available, for adults, children, and youth ages 10 and up.
Cost, Coverage, Booking & Where to Find Us
Our autism assessment fee is a flat rate of $3,000, paid in installments: a $500 deposit, followed by two additional payments before your feedback session, direct billing may be available depending on your insurer. Please confirm your assessment coverage with your insurance provider before booking. No doctor’s referral is required. If you’ve completed an assessment with us within the past three months, we can discuss whether completing the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) form is appropriate based on the findings.
Every assessment starts with a free 30-minute consultation, followed by in-person testing at our Miramichi office and a feedback session by phone or video. Autism assessments often take a few more sessions than other evaluations, so plan for the process to take a little longer.
You’ll receive a full report in plain language plus a brief summary of the findings. Recommendations will reflect your needs or your child’s, with time during the feedback session to discuss possible next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Questions About Autism Assessments?
If you’re considering an assessment for yourself or your child, our free initial consultation is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss whether it’s appropriate. There’s no obligation to book an assessment afterward.
