Autism spectrum disorder
assessments in Malta.
A comprehensive ASD assessment pathway for children and adults, led by Justin Mangion, Clinical Psychologist, at our clinic in Mosta. It brings together developmental and personal history, standardised assessment tools, direct observation and professional judgement.
A comprehensive evaluation
At Prijorità, our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment pathway provides a comprehensive evaluation tailored to the individual. The process brings together developmental and personal history, standardised assessment tools, observations and professional judgement to develop a detailed understanding of the individual’s presentation, strengths and support needs.
An ASD assessment does not rest on a single test or questionnaire. Every source of information is considered together, and the exact process may be adapted according to the person’s age, needs and individual circumstances.
Everyone starts here
All children and adults begin with a mandatory Pre-Assessment Consultation at €80 before proceeding to the full ASD assessment. It is where the psychologist works out whether a comprehensive assessment is the right step at all.
ASD assessment for children
Mandatory pre-assessment consultation
The psychologist will discuss the reasons for seeking an assessment, explore the main concerns and relevant background information, and determine whether proceeding to a comprehensive ASD assessment is appropriate. They will also explain the assessment pathway and advise the family on the recommended next steps.
This fee is separate and is not included in the comprehensive assessment fee.
Comprehensive ASD assessment
Where a full ASD assessment is recommended, it brings together a clinical interview with parents, standardised questionnaires from home and school, a cognitive assessment, the ADOS, and a comprehensive psychological report. Each component is described below.
Post-assessment consultation
Once the assessment and report are complete, the psychologist takes the family through the findings and report, explains the conclusions and recommendations, answers any questions and discusses appropriate next steps and support.
A separate professional service, not included in the €1,380 assessment fee.
What the comprehensive assessment includes
Clinical interview with parents
Approx. 1.5 hoursAn in-depth interview is held with the parent(s) or caregiver(s). The psychologist will explore the child's developmental history, communication, social interaction, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, sensory experiences, daily functioning and any concerns raised by the family or school.
Standardised questionnaires
Standardised questionnaires will be provided for completion by the child's parent(s) or caregiver(s) and school.
Gathering information from different environments helps the psychologist understand how the child presents across home, school and social settings.
Cognitive assessment
Approx. 1.5 hoursThe child will complete an age-appropriate cognitive assessment. This provides additional information about the child's cognitive profile, including individual strengths and areas of potential difficulty, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their needs.
ADOS assessment
The child will undertake the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), a standardised observational assessment used as part of an autism evaluation.
The ADOS assessment is conducted with two professionals present. Through structured and semi-structured activities, areas including communication, social interaction and behaviour are observed.
Comprehensive psychological report
Once all components of the assessment have been completed, the information gathered from the interview, questionnaires, cognitive assessment and ADOS is reviewed and integrated.
A comprehensive psychological report is then prepared outlining the assessment findings, conclusions and relevant recommendations.
Optional school visit
€280Where additional information from the child’s educational environment would be beneficial, a school visit can be arranged. The psychologist observes the child across different lessons and during break time, providing an opportunity to understand how the child communicates, interacts, participates and responds to different situations within their everyday school environment.
The psychologist will also speak with teachers and relevant school staff to gather their observations and professional input regarding the child’s communication, social interaction, behaviour, learning and overall functioning at school.
Consent for assessments involving children
Before commencing an ASD assessment for a child, the appropriate parental consent must be obtained.
- Where both parents hold parental responsibility, consent from both parents may be required before the assessment can proceed.
- Where parents are separated or divorced, Prijorità may request a copy of the relevant separation agreement, court order or other applicable documentation confirming parental responsibility and who is authorised to provide consent for the child's assessment.
- Parents or guardians are kindly requested to inform us of any relevant custody, care or consent arrangements when booking the assessment, and to provide any documentation requested by the clinic.
This requirement ensures that assessments involving minors are carried out with the appropriate consent and in accordance with the child’s individual legal and family circumstances.
ASD assessment for adults
Mandatory pre-assessment consultation
The psychologist will discuss the reasons for seeking an ASD assessment, explore your main concerns and relevant background information, and determine whether proceeding to a comprehensive ASD assessment is appropriate. They will also explain the assessment process and recommended next steps.
This fee is separate and is not included in the comprehensive assessment fee.
Comprehensive ASD assessment
Where a full ASD assessment is recommended, it brings together a clinical interview, standardised questionnaires, the ADOS, and a comprehensive psychological report. Each component is described below.
Post-assessment consultation
Once the assessment and report are complete, the psychologist explains the findings and report, discusses the conclusions and recommendations, answers any questions and advises on appropriate next steps and support.
A separate professional service, not included in the €998 assessment fee.
What the comprehensive assessment includes
Clinical interview
Approx. 1.5 hoursAn in-depth interview will explore relevant developmental and personal history, communication, social interaction and relationships, sensory experiences, routines and interests, education or employment experiences, daily functioning and the reasons for seeking an ASD assessment.
Standardised questionnaires
Standardised questionnaires will be completed by the client and, where appropriate, by someone who knows them well.
This may be a parent, partner, family member or another suitable person who can provide additional information regarding the client's presentation and history.
ADOS assessment
The client will undertake the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), a standardised observational assessment used as part of an autism evaluation.
The ADOS assessment is conducted with two professionals present. Through structured activities and conversation, areas relevant to social communication, interaction and behaviour are observed.
Comprehensive psychological report
Following completion of the assessment, the psychologist will review and integrate the information gathered from the interview, questionnaires and ADOS.
A comprehensive psychological report will then be prepared outlining the assessment findings, conclusions and relevant recommendations.
Optional cognitive assessment
€300Where appropriate, or where a more detailed understanding of the individual’s cognitive profile would be beneficial, a cognitive assessment can be added to the pathway. It provides additional information regarding cognitive functioning, individual strengths and areas of difficulty, and may assist with recommendations relating to education, employment and everyday functioning.
Fees at a glance
The pre-assessment and post-assessment consultations are separate professional services and are charged separately from the comprehensive assessment fee. Optional additions are not part of the core pathway total.
Children
Adults
Your ASD assessment specialist
Justin Mangion
Clinical Psychologist | Psychological Assessment Lead, Mosta, Malta
ASD assessments at Prijorità Healthcare are conducted by Justin Mangion, who also leads our ADHD assessment service and our personality and mental health assessment.
The ADOS component of the assessment is carried out with two professionals present. The pre-assessment and post-assessment consultations are held with the psychologist, so the person who explains the findings is the person who carried out the assessment.
Meet the full clinical teamImportant information
No single test decides it
An ASD assessment does not rely on one individual test or questionnaire. Developmental and personal history, standardised questionnaires, direct assessment, observation and professional judgement are considered together. The exact process may be adapted according to the person’s age, needs and individual circumstances.
Recording of sessions
To protect client confidentiality, assessment integrity and the privacy of all individuals involved, audio, video or other recording of assessment sessions and consultations is not permitted unless expressly authorised in advance by Prijorità and the professionals involved.
Assessments for court or legal proceedings
The standard pathway and report are intended for clinical and support purposes. If a report or professional opinion is required for court proceedings, legal matters, litigation or another formal medico-legal purpose, clients must inform Prijorità before the assessment begins.
Those assessments may involve additional professional requirements, documentation, review and preparation, and are subject to a separate fee communicated according to the requirements and complexity of the case. Supplementary reports, correspondence, case review or attendance at court may also be charged separately.
At Prijorità, care comes first. Transparency is simply part of how we care.
See our full price listQuestions about ASD assessments
Fees and practicalities
How much does an ASD assessment cost in Malta?
At Prijorità Healthcare, the core assessment pathway is €1,540 for children and €1,158 for adults. Each total is made up of the mandatory €80 pre-assessment consultation, the comprehensive assessment itself (€1,380 for children, €998 for adults) and the €80 post-assessment consultation. Optional additions are charged separately: a school visit for children at €280, or a cognitive assessment for adults at €300.
Why is the pre-assessment consultation mandatory?
Every ASD assessment begins with it. The psychologist discusses the reasons for seeking an assessment, explores the main concerns and relevant background, and determines whether proceeding to a comprehensive ASD assessment is appropriate at all. It also means nobody commits to the full fee before a clinician has agreed the assessment is the right step. The €80 fee is separate and is not included in the comprehensive assessment fee.
Is the post-assessment consultation included in the assessment fee?
No. The post-assessment consultation is a separate professional service at €80, charged separately from the comprehensive assessment fee. It is where the psychologist takes you through the findings and report, explains the conclusions and recommendations, answers questions and discusses next steps and support.
The assessment itself
Who conducts the ASD assessment?
ASD assessments at Prijorità Healthcare are conducted by Justin Mangion, Clinical Psychologist and Psychological Assessment Lead, who also leads our ADHD assessment service. The ADOS component is carried out with two professionals present.
What is the ADOS, and why are two professionals present?
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule is a standardised observational assessment used as part of an autism evaluation. Rather than relying on what is reported, it creates structured and semi-structured situations in which communication, social interaction and behaviour can be observed directly. It is conducted with two professionals present during the assessment.
Does a single test decide the outcome?
No. An ASD assessment does not rely on one individual test or questionnaire. Information gathered from developmental and personal history, standardised questionnaires, direct assessment, observation and professional judgement is considered together to develop a comprehensive understanding of the individual's presentation. The exact process may be adapted according to the person's age, needs and individual circumstances.
Can an adult be assessed for autism?
Yes. The adult pathway follows the same shape as the children's: a mandatory €80 pre-assessment consultation, a comprehensive assessment at €998 including a clinical interview, standardised questionnaires and the ADOS, a full psychological report, and a €80 post-assessment consultation. Questionnaires may also be completed by someone who knows the client well, which can be a parent, partner, family member or another suitable person.
Consent, recording and legal use
What consent is needed to assess a child?
Appropriate parental consent must be obtained before a child's ASD assessment begins. Where both parents hold parental responsibility, consent from both may be required. Where parents are separated or divorced, the clinic may request a copy of the separation agreement, court order or other documentation confirming who is authorised to provide consent. Please tell us about any relevant custody, care or consent arrangements when booking.
Can I record the assessment?
No. To protect client confidentiality, assessment integrity and the privacy of everyone involved, audio, video or other recording of assessment sessions and consultations is not permitted unless expressly authorised in advance by Prijorità Healthcare and the professionals involved.
Can the report be used in court or legal proceedings?
The standard ASD assessment pathway and psychological report are intended for clinical and support purposes. If an assessment, report or professional opinion is required for court proceedings, legal matters, litigation or another formal medico-legal purpose, please tell us before the assessment begins. Those assessments involve additional professional requirements, documentation, review and preparation, and are subject to a separate fee communicated according to the requirements and complexity of the case. Supplementary reports, correspondence, case review or attendance at court may also be charged separately.