BC Adult Private Assessment List
Currently, in British Columbia, there is no system tracking the number of adult autism diagnoses. About 2.5% of children in BC have an autism diagnosis, which translates to about 100,000 adults in the province who may meet the criteria for autism. With the lack of a standardized process for diagnosing autism in adults, clinicians adapt the diagnostic measures that were originally designed for children when diagnosing adults. While some diagnosed adults may apply for Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and Person with Disabilities (PWD) status, most adults seek a diagnosis for personal validation and self-understanding.
There are currently no publicly-funded MSP routes to adult autism assessment in BC. Assessment availability varies in each region and depends on clinicians' availability.
Adults can obtain an assessment outside of BC; however, assessments must adhere to the same standards and guidelines to be eligible for funding (CLBC) and financial benefits (DTC, PWD, RDSP). Registered psychologists and psychiatrists may provide private assessments.
Also, while you wait for your assessment date, you can learn about available resources to support you both during and after your diagnosis. You may also want to take some online autism assessments. These are not official diagnoses but will help you identify autistic traits and gauge approximately where you are on the spectrum. These include the RAADS–R and the Autism Quotient, which can be found at Embrace Autism.
One place you can go for support is our Getting Together on the Spectrum group, which meets every second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 5:00 – 6:00 PM PST on Zoom. Autistic adults can sign up and join via computer or phone. If that’s not the space for you, check out other online and in-person activities or groups you could join. No diagnosis is needed to attend!
Please take the time to read our adult assessment blogs and watch our Talks on assessment in BC:
- https://www.autismbc.ca/blog/assessment/steps-autism-assessment-bc/
- https://www.autismbc.ca/blog/assessment/reasons-autistic-adults-struggle-assessed/
- https://www.autismbc.ca/blog/assessment/preparing-for-adult-assessment/
- https://www.autismbc.ca/blog/assessment/reasons-autistic-adults-seek-assessment/
- All adult-related blogs: https://www.autismbc.ca/blog/autistic-adults/
DISCLAIMER – We do not oversee the Private Clinicians. We provide a list to assist with making
informed decisions. Please ensure that you do your own due diligence when choosing an assessor.
This is not an exhaustive list.
LOWER MAINLAND PRIVATE ASSESSORS
ABLE DEVELOPMENTAL CLINIC (waitlist closed, and no longer sees adults) #110 – 585 16th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3R8 (604) 922-3450 no longer does adult assessments #12 – 15243 91st Avenue Surrey BC V3R 9K2 (604) 584-3450 |
ABLE DEVELOPMENTAL CLINIC (contd) no longer does adult assessments 3688 Cessna Drive, Richmond BC, V7B 1C7 (604) 207-1984 |
R. DAVID WORLING DR. KIMBERLY ARMSTRONG 100 – 1330 West 8th Ave, Vancouver BC, V6H 4A6 (604) 732-3222 "We are currently conducting autism and ADHD assessments for adults and adolescents ages 16+. Our waitlist is approximately 8 months." |
DR. SUZANNE JACOBSEN Vancouver (604) 232-9515 (sees people ages 15 months to 65 years old) "My current wait list ranges from about 6 weeks for young children to 3 months if the referral forms are complete and all information is provided." |
DR. CHERYL AINSWORTH (Abbotsford) (604) 850-3774 1-800-665-9033 cell: (778) 808-4414 (waitlist 6 months) |
DR. SHARON ARNOLD (Port Moody) (604) 492-1699 sees both children and adults (adult assessment approximately $800 more than child, but confirmed at intake) (booking for October/November 2024) |
DR. WALLACE WONG (Vancouver/Richmond/South Surrey) White Rock (604) 783-0050 (Waitlist 6 months) |
DR. RASHMEEN NIRMAL (Vancouver) (778) 846-2126 Specializes in girls – waitlist for assessments & consultations are closed indefinitely |
DR. GRACE IAROCCI (Burnaby SFU) (604) 812-4248 (waitlist for children is 6-12 months and 12+ months for adults) |
DR. STEPHEN ROCHEFORT (Coquitlam) 604-554-0469 The waitlist is short. June bookings are available. Assessor for age 7 through adulthood. Psychoeducational assessment is also available. |
DR. ASHLEY HEINER (North Vancouver) (778) 997-3441 Neuro-affirmative Clinician (no longer assessing adults 20+) |
DR. AMANDA MORGAN (Maple Ridge, Kelowna) (778) 846-2126
Current wait times are 3-4 months.
Only sees adults 18+.
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DR. ELLEN IVITY (Virtual serving all of BC) (778) 745-6069 Cost $3500 Booking new clients with current waitlist at 1-2 months Offers adult ASD, ADHD, and psychoeducational assessments |
DR. PABLEE WONG/ DR. SOOMIN YU #202 - 3540 West 41st Ave Vancouver BC, V6N 3E6 (604) 428-1909 Wait times: "Autism Assessment (adults): Current wait time is approximately 12 months Of note, Dr. Wong, who provides assessments for children and youth, and our SLP are both trilingual in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Dr. Yu, who provides assessments for adults, is bilingual in English and Korean." |
DR. JIM ROCHE (Burnaby) (778) 998-7975 - all initial contacts should be through email. Cost - $2600 (very full schedule, but may have openings; prioritizes based on needs) |
ALL BRAINS CLINIC 6205 West Blvd Vancouver, BC V6M 3X4 (604) 998-2244 (Waitlist – 7 weeks as of Nov 2023) |
DR. KATIA JITLINA (Vancouver) #720-999 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC (604) 262-2113 sees clients ages 4-22 current waitlist 9-10 months |
DR. MANDEEP GURM (Surrey) #1113-7318 137 Street, Surrey BC (236) 867-8117 Cost $3000-4000 (adding full psych ed will cost extra) Ages 6 to adult Booking for second half of 2024 |
INTERIOR
MS. ROBIN SWIFT, M.ED. (Nelson) (250) 352-6600 One year wait, estimate |
ASCENT PSYCHOLOGY Dr. Melanie Parkin (sees children) Dr. Katie Kryski (sees children) Dr. Jean Keates (sees adults) Suite 208 & 209, 103 – 1st Street East, Revelstoke BC, V0E2S0 (250) 837-0966 Mailing Address: PO Box 1420, Revelstoke BC, V0E 2S0 dr.katiekryski@ascentpsychology.ca dr.melanieparkin@ascentpsychology.ca dr.jeanykeates@ascentpsychology.ca 4-6 months wait
"With the exception of young children, we assess for ASD in the context of comprehensive assessments, meaning that we want to be able to look at other potential reasons for difficulties.
This makes our assessments more expensive than some other providers, $3500-4000."
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DR. ELLEN IVITY (See LM List above) |
DR. AMANDA MORGAN (See LM List above) |
VANCOUVER ISLAND
DR. C. T. DUFF, R.PSYCH. (Victoria) (250) 580-0909 no longer accepting adult referrals |
DR. KELLY PRICE (Victoria) (250) 886-9788 Cost is $2950. Up to age 25. 6-8 month wait. |
DR. ELLEN IVITY (See LM List above) |
DR. AMANDA MORGAN (See LM List above) |
NORTHERN BC
DR. JIM BOWMAN (Dawson Creek) (250) 719-9926 (Waitlist currently summer 2024) |
DR. LIZ ROCHA (Prince George) (250) 563.3041 (waitlist closed) |
DR. ELLEN IVITY (See LM List above) |
DR. AMANDA MORGAN (See LM List above) |
OUT OF PROVINCE/COUNTRY
EMBRACE AUTISM (ON)
Wait times:
"Starting from when you submit your materials —
Screening report - up to 3-8 weeks
Diagnostic assessment — You can expect your diagnostic interview invitation in up to 12-16 weeks after uploading your diagnostic documents.
Once you receive your diagnostic interview invitation, you can expect an appointment in 4-6 months from the date you were invited to schedule your appointment.
Diagnostic report - up to 2-4 weeks after your interview
Medical Doctor review - up to 3-6 weeks"
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THE ADHD & SPECTRUM CLINIC (ON) All appointments remain virtual 1-2 months wait |
AUTISTIC THOUGHTS (UK) |
THE NEURODIVERGENT TEAM 3-4 months current wait |