Autism spectrum assessment for children, teenagers and adults
At Ocnos Psychology Clinic, we provide careful autism spectrum assessment, integrating clinical interview, observation, psychological tests and family guidance. Our aim is not to place a label without context, but to understand how each person functions and what support they may need in everyday life.
Understanding before intervening
The autism spectrum does not look the same in everyone. Some people have very visible support needs, while others have learnt to adapt for years, sometimes at a high emotional cost.
This is why a good assessment should not simply check a list of symptoms. It is important to understand developmental history, communication style, social relationships, interests, sensory sensitivity, cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation and the context in which the person lives.
At Ocnos Psychology Clinic, in Palmones, we work from a clinical, neuropsychological and compassionate perspective. We support families and adults across Campo de Gibraltar, including Algeciras, La Línea de la Concepción, San Roque, Los Barrios, Sotogrande and Gibraltar.
Key idea: an autism spectrum assessment helps to understand whether the observed difficulties are part of a neurodivergent profile, whether they are better explained by other factors, or whether several clinical hypotheses need to be considered together.
When it may be helpful to assess the autism spectrum
Not all autistic people show the same signs, and not every social difficulty means autism. Even so, there are situations in which a professional assessment can provide clarity and prevent years of uncertainty, inaccurate labels or poorly adjusted expectations.
In children
There may be differences in communication, play, flexibility, response to change or sensitivity to sounds, textures, lights or certain routines.
- Difficulty sharing interests or play.
- Intense distress when unexpected changes occur.
- Highly absorbing or repetitive interests.
- Difficulty understanding implicit social rules.
In teenagers
Sometimes differences become more visible when the social, academic and emotional demands of adolescence increase.
- Intense tiredness after social situations.
- A feeling of not fitting in with peers.
- Rigidity around plans, rules or expectations.
- Anxiety, shutdown or irritability under overload.
In adults
Some people reach adulthood without having been assessed, especially if they have learnt to mask or camouflage their difficulties for many years.
- Exhaustion from constantly “acting normal”.
- Difficulty maintaining relationships or work environments.
- A history of anxiety, social shutdown or feeling misunderstood.
- A need to better understand one’s own way of functioning.
What we observe during the assessment
Autism spectrum assessment requires looking at several levels of functioning. Some people come because their family, school or workplace has noticed difficulties. Others seek support because they have spent a long time wondering why certain situations feel so exhausting.
Social communication
How the person starts, maintains and understands social interactions, both verbally and non-verbally.
Flexibility and routines
How they respond to changes, unexpected events, transitions, new rules or unstructured situations.
Sensory profile
Possible sensory sensitivity or sensory seeking around sounds, lights, textures, smells, movement or physical contact.
Emotional regulation
How they manage frustration, anxiety, overload, shutdown, irritability or tiredness after social demands.
How autism spectrum assessment works at Ocnos
We adapt the process to the person’s age, reason for assessment and individual needs. Assessing a young child is not the same as assessing a teenager with school or social difficulties, or an adult seeking to understand their personal history.
Initial interview
We gather the reason for consultation, developmental history, family, school or work context, and the main questions that have led to the assessment.
Clinical observation
We observe communication, interaction, flexibility, play or conversation, emotional regulation and responses to different tasks or situations.
Official tests and questionnaires
When the case requires it, we use psychological tests, questionnaires and official external tools suited to the reason for assessment. These tests are included within the assessment sessions.
Feedback and guidance
We explain the results clearly, answer questions and provide practical recommendations for home, school, work or therapy.
Price of assessment sessions
Psychological assessment sessions are priced at €70 per session. These sessions include in-person clinical work, interview, observation, test administration when required, and the use of official external tests needed to guide the case appropriately.
When official external questionnaires or tests are required, they are integrated into the assessment process without turning each test into a separate isolated cost.
In complex autism spectrum assessments, test administration and information gathering may require approximately between 4 and 7 sessions.
We always explain which steps make sense before moving forward. The assessment is not treated as a closed package, but as a clinical process adapted to the person.
A full report when the case requires it
In some cases, in addition to verbal feedback, it may be advisable to prepare a full psychological report. This report is paid separately because it involves additional technical work outside the session.
The preparation of a report may require approximately 2 or 3 hours of professional work by the psychologist, depending on the complexity of the case, the tests administered and the level of detail required.
What the report may include
- Reason for consultation and relevant case history.
- Psychological tests and official tools used.
- Results, scores, clinical interpretation and statistical data where appropriate.
- Description of the observed profile: strengths, difficulties and support needs.
- Recommendations for the family and day-to-day life.
- Guidance on how to share and manage the information with the school or educational setting.
- Practical advice on adapting communication, routines, demands and environment.
- Clinical conclusions written in a clear, useful and understandable way.
A good report should not be just a technical document. It should help people understand the person better and act as a practical guide for decisions at home, at school or in other important contexts.
Autism, ADHD, anxiety, high abilities or social difficulties
An important part of the assessment is identifying what best explains what is happening. Some signs can overlap: a person with social anxiety may avoid social situations; someone with ADHD may struggle with organisation and regulation; a person with high abilities may feel different from peers; and an autistic person may experience sensory overload, rigidity or social exhaustion.
At Ocnos, we therefore avoid simplistic conclusions. We consider the whole picture: development, context, emotional history, cognitive profile, adaptive behaviour, relationships, sensory sensitivity and possible associated conditions.
After the assessment: understanding, supporting and adjusting expectations
For many families, the assessment process does not end when they receive a clinical conclusion. Often, a new stage begins: understanding their child better, reviewing expectations and learning more adjusted ways of offering support.
Guidance for home
Recommendations to improve routines, anticipate changes, reduce overload and encourage clearer communication.
School guidance
When needed, we help translate the results into specific support, understanding and adaptation needs.
Emotional support
The assessment may bring questions, relief or concern. We support the process so that the information becomes useful rather than overwhelming.
An assessment informed by a broad psychological perspective
At Ocnos Psychology Clinic, we work with a clinical, rigorous and human approach. Autism spectrum assessment may require understanding emotional, behavioural, family, educational and neuropsychological aspects. Our team therefore brings different professional perspectives within the same approach: understanding well before recommending support.
Héctor Lozano Jiménez
General Health Psychologist · Director
“A good assessment should not stop at a label: it should help the person and their family understand what is happening and which supports make sense.”
Diego Román Roldán
General Health Psychologist
“Observing behaviour in context allows us to better understand real support needs, beyond what can be seen in an isolated situation.”
Rocío Rodríguez Boza
General Health Psychologist
“Supporting a person means listening to their story, validating their experience and offering an explanation that does not reduce their identity to a diagnosis.”
A calm space to assess, explain and support
Ocnos Psychology Clinic is located in the Edificio Azabache in Palmones. We have designed the space so that assessments can take place in a professional, warm and calm environment, which is especially important when there is sensitivity, anxiety or tiredness around new situations.
Autism spectrum assessment near Algeciras, La Línea and San Roque
Our clinic is located in Palmones, an accessible location for families and adults from Los Barrios, Algeciras, La Línea de la Concepción, San Roque, Sotogrande and Gibraltar.
This proximity makes in-person assessment easier, especially when the process involves several sessions, family interview, feedback or later coordination.
Ocnos Psychology Clinic in Palmones
We are located in the Edificio Azabache, First Floor, Office 10, in Palmones. Our location is convenient for families and adults from Los Barrios, Algeciras, La Línea de la Concepción, San Roque, Sotogrande, Gibraltar and other areas of Campo de Gibraltar.
Address and contact
Ocnos Psychology Clinic
Edificio Azabache, First Floor, Office 10
11379, Palmones, Cádiz
In autism spectrum assessments, being able to attend several sessions calmly helps us get to know the person better, apply tests when appropriate and provide clear feedback to the family or to the adult being assessed.
FAQ about autism spectrum assessment
What is an autism spectrum assessment?
An autism spectrum assessment is a psychological process that explores social communication, flexibility, sensory sensitivity, emotional regulation, developmental history and daily functioning in order to understand whether the person’s characteristics are compatible with an autism spectrum profile.
At what age can the autism spectrum be assessed?
The autism spectrum can be assessed in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The process is adapted to age, language, reason for assessment and the information available about development and current functioning.
Can the assessment diagnose autism?
The assessment helps to identify whether there are traits compatible with the autism spectrum and to guide the case clinically. When appropriate, it may be accompanied by a psychological report with results, conclusions and recommendations.
What is the difference between autism, ADHD and high abilities?
Autism, ADHD and high abilities can share some external signs, such as social difficulties, emotional intensity or feeling different. However, they have different clinical explanations. This is why a full assessment is important, rather than relying only on an initial impression.
How many sessions are needed for an assessment?
It depends on the person’s age, the complexity of the case and the type of report required. The process usually combines an initial interview, assessment sessions, questionnaires or psychological tests, and a feedback session.
How much does an autism spectrum assessment cost?
Psychological assessment sessions at Ocnos Psychology Clinic cost €70 per session. In complex autism spectrum assessments, the process may require approximately between 4 and 7 sessions, depending on age, available information and the tests required.
Are official tests included in the price?
Yes. When the case requires tests, questionnaires or official external tools, these are integrated within the assessment sessions. Each test is not treated as a separate isolated cost, but as part of the clinical process when necessary.
Is the psychological report included?
No. The psychological report is paid separately because it involves additional technical work outside the session. It may require approximately 2 or 3 hours of professional work and include tests carried out, results, statistics, clinical interpretation, family recommendations and guidance on how to manage the information with the school or other relevant contexts.
Do you also assess autism in adults?
Yes. Many adults seek assessment because they have spent years feeling that they do not fit in, experiencing social exhaustion, anxiety, rigidity or difficulties understanding their own way of functioning. Adult assessment takes into account life history, social masking and current demands.
Where is Ocnos Psychology Clinic?
Ocnos Psychology Clinic is located in the Edificio Azabache, First Floor, Office 10, in Palmones, Cádiz. We support people from Palmones, Los Barrios, Algeciras, La Línea de la Concepción, San Roque, Sotogrande, Gibraltar and Campo de Gibraltar.
Are you looking for a clear, rigorous and human autism spectrum assessment?
If you, your child or someone in your family needs an autism spectrum assessment, we can help you understand what is happening and which next steps make the most sense.