Our COVID-19 Statement
As a service, we are following guidance from our professional bodies, which advise ongoing safety considerations for Psychologists and their clients during this unprecedented time.
What are we doing differently?
In line with the guidance from our professional bodies, we are continuing with our remote assessments and not currently planning on resuming routine face-to-face appointments in the near future. During this pandemic, our service alongside many other Psychologists have used digital methods to conduct our appointments and we continue to do so where possible, despite restrictions being lifted, because of the benefits we have seen from this. The NHSX encourages use of videoconferencing for consultations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and this has now become commonplace amongst health and mental health services. We have certainly found that it has not impeded our assessment process over the last year and in many cases, has actually improved the experience for clients as it is more efficient, comfortable and practical for them. This article explains how remote Autism assessments, as well as other aspects of healthcare, may well be of more benefit than standard face-to-face appointments.
How does this affect the outcome?
Where research studies have been conducted looking at remote versus face-to-face psychological assessments, these have typically shown that there are very small differences in results and these differences are actually smaller than those seen between face-to-face assessments made by different clinicians. However, as per our professional guidance, consideration is of course given on a case-by-case basis when deciding whether online assessment is appropriate and meets the client's needs. We may, therefore, conclude that assessments need to be rearranged until face-to-face appointments can be resumed.
Can children be assessed remotely?
There are additional considerations to be made when assessing children and a conclusion will be met depending on the child's age, cognitive ability, level of attention and interpersonal skills; again, on a case-by-case basis. If conducting the assessment remotely is not possible for your child, we are able to then carry out face to face appointments in this case. However, our team are all experienced in engaging young people as well as using video platforms with clients and as a result, we have had to revert to face-to-face appointments very rarely over the last year.
Why can’t you assess in person, using PPE?
An assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder involves more than the written and verbal information we gather during our appointments and the assessment would be compromised when it is difficult to observe non-verbal cues such as those hidden by Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Part of an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment is to observe interpersonal behaviour, which again would be impacted by social distancing regulations and the use of PPE, which can provide an emotional and psychological barrier between people. Furthermore, our face-to-face assessments involve the sharing of assessment materials, which would be against current guidance regarding reducing transmission.
We understand that this will be frustrating to those clients who do not wish to engage in a remote assessment. However, please be assured that these measures are in line with our professional bodies' guidance and to ensure both clients' and clinicians' safety whilst reducing the risks associated with COVID-19 transmission.
What are we doing differently?
In line with the guidance from our professional bodies, we are continuing with our remote assessments and not currently planning on resuming routine face-to-face appointments in the near future. During this pandemic, our service alongside many other Psychologists have used digital methods to conduct our appointments and we continue to do so where possible, despite restrictions being lifted, because of the benefits we have seen from this. The NHSX encourages use of videoconferencing for consultations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and this has now become commonplace amongst health and mental health services. We have certainly found that it has not impeded our assessment process over the last year and in many cases, has actually improved the experience for clients as it is more efficient, comfortable and practical for them. This article explains how remote Autism assessments, as well as other aspects of healthcare, may well be of more benefit than standard face-to-face appointments.
How does this affect the outcome?
Where research studies have been conducted looking at remote versus face-to-face psychological assessments, these have typically shown that there are very small differences in results and these differences are actually smaller than those seen between face-to-face assessments made by different clinicians. However, as per our professional guidance, consideration is of course given on a case-by-case basis when deciding whether online assessment is appropriate and meets the client's needs. We may, therefore, conclude that assessments need to be rearranged until face-to-face appointments can be resumed.
Can children be assessed remotely?
There are additional considerations to be made when assessing children and a conclusion will be met depending on the child's age, cognitive ability, level of attention and interpersonal skills; again, on a case-by-case basis. If conducting the assessment remotely is not possible for your child, we are able to then carry out face to face appointments in this case. However, our team are all experienced in engaging young people as well as using video platforms with clients and as a result, we have had to revert to face-to-face appointments very rarely over the last year.
Why can’t you assess in person, using PPE?
An assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder involves more than the written and verbal information we gather during our appointments and the assessment would be compromised when it is difficult to observe non-verbal cues such as those hidden by Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Part of an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment is to observe interpersonal behaviour, which again would be impacted by social distancing regulations and the use of PPE, which can provide an emotional and psychological barrier between people. Furthermore, our face-to-face assessments involve the sharing of assessment materials, which would be against current guidance regarding reducing transmission.
We understand that this will be frustrating to those clients who do not wish to engage in a remote assessment. However, please be assured that these measures are in line with our professional bodies' guidance and to ensure both clients' and clinicians' safety whilst reducing the risks associated with COVID-19 transmission.
