The person’s own account
For an adult, this includes current experience and the pattern over time. For a child or young person, their view is gathered in a way that suits their age, communication and participation needs.
Autism-related evaluation
Autism-related psychological evaluation in English in Japan
A structured way to examine an autism-related question using developmental history, current experience and evidence from more than one source. The conclusion follows the evidence; it is never decided at the start.
In short
- Who may enquire
- Adults and families of children aged 6 and above
- First step
- Screening to decide suitability and scope
- Evidence
- More than one source, selected for the individual
- Format
- Online information gathering, with testing in person when required
- Outcome
- Feedback and a protected written report in English
- HCPC (UK)PYL38998
- SocialstyrelsenSweden
- DClinPsy · CPsycholBPS Chartered · RAPPS
- EuroPsy / EFPAEuropean certificate
- IMHPJMembership Secretary
- English-speakingServing Japan
Purpose
When an autism-related evaluation may be considered
Adults and families often arrive with a question that has built over years. They may be trying to understand a child’s development and participation across home and school, or an adult may be reviewing a pattern that reaches back into childhood.
A psychological evaluation brings that history together with present-day experience, questionnaires, records and standardised assessment where appropriate. It looks for a coherent explanation, while taking seriously the possibility that another explanation, or a combination of explanations, may fit better.
LivFull considers autism-related presentations and needs, including combined autism- and ADHD-related presentations. Psychological and emotional status is considered as part of the wider picture.
The service boundary
LivFull provides psychological evaluation, findings and recommendations. It does not provide medical diagnosis or medication services in Japan. Where medical assessment may be relevant, the report may support a request for one.
Compare the two pathwaysEvidence
A conclusion is built from several viewpoints
No single account, score or observation carries the whole decision. The useful picture appears when sources are considered together and their differences are explained.
Developmental and family history
Parents or the adult client describe early development, learning, relationships, daily functioning and the context in which questions have arisen.
Other people, where appropriate
Questionnaires or information from another person may help. For a child this can include a teacher who knows them well. For an adult, another informant is involved only where appropriate and with written consent.
Existing records
Previous reports, school reports, scores and support plans can be reviewed where they are available and the client or family has consented.
Individual assessment methods
As the appropriate methods depend on the individual question, interviews, questionnaires and recognised standardised instruments are selected individually during screening. LivFull therefore does not publish a fixed autism battery.
One individual conclusion
The report explains what the combined evidence supports, the limits of that conclusion and the recommendations that follow from it.
Screening
How suitability is decided
Every prospective evaluation begins with screening. These are the questions screening is designed to answer.
A longstanding questionThe enquiry concerns a pattern across development, settings or stages of life.
An autism-related evaluation may be considered when a person or family wants a structured understanding of a longstanding pattern and its effect on daily life, learning, work or relationships.
Screening looks at the question being asked and whether a full evaluation is the right way to answer it. Enquiring does not assume that autism is the explanation.
More than one possible explanationThe same experience can have different causes, or several causes at once.
Psychological and emotional status is considered as part of differential understanding. Attention, learning, language, memory and other neurodevelopmental questions may also be relevant.
The purpose is to weigh the available evidence carefully. No checklist, single interview or isolated observation settles the conclusion.
A useful question and a realistic evidence baseScreening considers what information is available and what conclusions it could support.
Previous reports or an informant who knew the adult in childhood can be useful, but their absence does not automatically decide suitability. The limitations of the available information are discussed during screening.
For a child, family and school information may be gathered where relevant and with parent or guardian consent.
A different next step may fit betterScreening can conclude that a full evaluation is not warranted.
That is a valid outcome of the screening gate. Booking screening does not commit the client or family to further work.
Where another psychological or medical service appears more suitable, Dr Sahar may suggest a more appropriate next step. LivFull does not claim a formal or comprehensive referral network.
Process
What happens after an enquiry
The pathway is planned around the individual. The stages are consistent, while the content of the evaluation is not fixed in advance.
- 01Optional
Free 15-minute enquiry call
A short online call for questions about process, logistics, finances and initial suitability. It is not an assessment and does not gather a detailed history.
- 02Consent
Forms before screening
The client or parent reviews a consent form and a consent to share and release information before any outside information is requested.
- 03Online
Screening
An intake interview plus standardised questionnaires, billed as two hours and paid separately. Screening decides whether a full evaluation is warranted and what domains may need assessment.
- 04Mostly online
Interviews and information gathering
May include developmental interviews, questionnaires from more than one informant, record review and liaison with another professional where necessary and agreed.
- 05In person
Standardised testing
When certain cognitive, neurodevelopmental or behavioural testing is required, it takes place near Yokohama Station or Yamagata Station, commonly over one or two days.
- 06Online
Feedback and report
The findings are discussed in an online feedback meeting. A formal report in English, locked against editing, is normally supplied around one month after the final assessment appointment.
Practicalities
Time, place and professional fees
Hybrid format
Interviews, questionnaires and feedback are normally online. Required psychological testing is conducted in person, subject to availability.
Testing locations
Near Yokohama Station or Yamagata Station, each less than five minutes from the main station. Yokohama availability is more limited.
Hours and estimate
Evaluations take approximately 20–35 hours in total when screening is included. Each client receives an individual estimate for the later evaluation work before deciding whether to proceed.
The professional rate is ¥25,000 per hour, or ¥17,500 per hour for clients who are not reimbursed through insurance. Screening is billed as two hours and is paid separately.
Read the full fee explanationReport
What the report may contain
The report is written in English and tailored to the client. It may include the referral context, strengths, presenting concerns and needs, developmental history, methods, qualitative and quantitative results, a summary and clinical interpretation.
Where appropriate, it may include psychological conclusions with reference to DSM-5-TR criteria or classifications, comprehensive recommendations and suggested next steps. A child’s report may include school recommendations where relevant; an adult’s report may include workplace recommendations where relevant.
A report may support self-understanding, planning and a request for further medical assessment. Acceptance by a school, employer, physician, insurer, authority or examination body is decided by that organisation and cannot be guaranteed.
Consent and privacy
Reports are locked against editing. They are normally sent to the adult client or the child’s parent or guardian, who decides whether to share them. Direct transmission to another organisation is possible only where it is required, explicit consent is given and Dr Sahar agrees.
FAQ
Questions before screening
No. There is no score or symptom checklist on this page. Autism-related experiences can overlap with other explanations, and recognising an experience does not establish a conclusion. Screening is the first clinical step and determines whether a full evaluation is warranted.
Adults, adolescents and children aged 6 and above may be considered. Age alone does not determine suitability. Screening considers the question, the person’s needs, the information available and any limits on what an evaluation could reasonably conclude.
No. A medical or professional referral is not required. Adults and families may contact LivFull directly. A school or clinician may also direct or refer a family with the family’s consent, but every prospective evaluation still begins with LivFull’s screening process.
Information from more than one source is used where appropriate, but who is involved depends on the individual. A child’s evaluation may include parent and teacher information. For an adult, another informant may contribute where useful and consented to. Screening is where the available evidence and its limits are discussed.
Interviews, questionnaires and feedback are normally online. When standardised psychological testing is required, it is completed in person at an office near Yokohama Station or Yamagata Station, subject to availability.
No. LivFull provides psychological evaluation, findings and recommendations, not medical diagnosis or medication services in Japan. A report may include psychological conclusions with reference to DSM-5-TR criteria or classifications where appropriate, and may recommend further medical assessment.
A full evaluation is typically two to three months and takes approximately 20–35 hours in total when screening is included, depending on availability and individual needs. Work is billed by the hour. Screening is billed as two hours and paid separately, and later evaluation work receives an individual estimate before the client decides whether to proceed.
Related
Choose the page that fits your question
ADHD-related evaluationFor children, young people and adults with questions about attention, organisation, executive functioning, regulation or activity levels.Evaluation and international schoolsHow families, teachers and school staff may contribute, and what a report can offer a school.Evaluation versus medical diagnosisA direct explanation of what LivFull provides and when medical assessment may become relevant.Psychoeducational evaluationFor families asking about learning, cognitive functioning and classroom needs.
See the evaluation hub for the complete service, read about Dr Karan Sahar, or email enquiry@livfullpsychology.com.
Ask about autism-related evaluation
Screening establishes whether a full autism-related evaluation is warranted and what evidence it would need. The free 15-minute consultation is available first for questions about process, logistics and fees.