Remote autism assessments – lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic: a service evaluation
ISSN: 2056-3868
Article publication date: 16 May 2023
Issue publication date: 16 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in health services adapting the delivery of routine assessments, with many operating remotely. This paper aims to explore the lived experiences of individuals undertaking remote autism assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods service evaluation was completed in an adult autism and neurodevelopmental service based in the north of England. A total of 24 participants, who had undergone remote autism assessments between March 2020 and July 2020, completed a questionnaire about their experiences. Thematic analysis was performed, and additional quantitative data were analysed descriptively to allow contextual information to be included.
Findings
The evaluation identified three main themes. The first, practical and sensory issues of remote assessment, indicated that internet connectivity problems were common and sometimes impeded a successful assessment. Additionally, participants identified some elements of the videocall impacted their sensory sensitivities. The second theme, emotional responses to remote assessment, demonstrated relief and exhaustion to be common following sessions. The ability to complete assessments from a safe space were favoured by most. The final theme, pros and cons of different assessment methods, highlighted the preference for video assessments above telephone and in person sessions.
Originality/value
This study provides an original contribution to the literature by gathering autistic adults’ perspectives on remote autism assessments. The findings suggest that video assessments were the most preferable, over face-to-face and then telephone. Services should offer video and face-to-face assessments while keeping telephone assessments to a minimum.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted as part of the first author's clinical psychology training programme at The University of Sheffield. The authors would like to thank tutors at The University of Sheffield for their mentorship and advice throughout this piece of research. The authors would also like to thank the service and service users for their support and engagement throughout this project.
Conflict of Interest: No funding was provided for this study; it was completed as part of the first authors routine work whilst on placement at the service.
Citation
Hartley, J., Purrington, J. and Hartley, G. (2023), "Remote autism assessments – lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic: a service evaluation", Advances in Autism, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 241-252. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-08-2022-0043
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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