Assessment and Treatment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
In addition to services for children and adolescents with Asperger's or Autism Spectrum Disorder, I am one of the few providers in BC with extensive experience working with young adults and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or as it was previously known, “Asperger’s Disorder.” Over the past twenty years more and more of my practice has focused on working with young adults and family, social, school or work-place issues. This includes social coaching, work-place evaluations, intervention planning and family consultations. I see numerous couples where one or both members have or suspect they have ASD. I also complete comprehensive diagnostic evaluations of adult ASD.  These assessments are often used for disability tax credits, qualifying for different types of disability support programs, or qualifying for accommodations and support services in school, university or the workplace. A comprehensive assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder costs approximately $3,120.

If you have been seen by other doctors who have provided a different diagnosis, I need to have those records available to me. These can usually be obtained simply by asking your medical provider. Most of the time I will request you see a medical doctor to rule out other plausible causes for your symptoms and concerns.

While a referral is not required, a referral is very helpful in understanding your reasons for requesting an assessment.

Services for Autism and Asperger's Disorder / Syndrome

  • Assessment and Diagnostic Services (autism, Asperger’s, ADHD and related disorders). Assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cost approximately $3,360.

  • Forensic assessments, those involving legal or workplace issues, are billed on an individual basis. Legal/forensic assessments - assessments for ANY legal purpose, need to be arranged by your legal representative. If there are legal issues special forms and procedures must be followed if the assessment is to be used in court.

  • Workplace consultations and site-based education programs

  • Community-based social coaching programs for individuals with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Disorder / Syndrome

  • Educational / Social coaching for young adults in the workplace, college, and similar settings

  • Social coaching for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is Your Background for Providing Treatment for Adults with Asperger's and High Functioning Autism?
My background in working with adults starts with my work with children and adolescents for over twenty-five years. Understanding adult ASD symptoms requires being familiar with the developmental issues of autism spectrum disorder. I have worked as a teacher of special education, a school psychologist, a school district behaviour specialist for autism and as a provincial consultant for autism and related disorders providing consultation throughout the province of British Columbia. Please see the ABOUT page on this site for more information on my background and training.

What are some of the aims of therapy for adults with autism spectrum disorder ?

  • to teach new cognitive and behavioral skills that were never learned

  • to teach compensatory strategies for problems that cannot be changed

  • to facilitate self-acceptance

  • to teach strategies to decrease or prevent symptoms of co-morbid mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders and depression

Most importantly, I try to help you discover ways to make life easier, how to reach your goals, and try to help you be as happy and fulfilled in life as you want to be. This means learning and practicing skills you may have had difficulty with, and then making a choice of either using those skills or not. My aim is to help you develop choices.

Do you work with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and Executive Dysfunction?
ADHD is now often diagnosed along with autism spectrum disorder. Much of my work with children, adolescents and adults focuses on ADHD and deficits of executive function. Executive function is the concept referring to the cognitive processes required to plan and direct activities, including what we refer to as task-initiation and follow-through, working memory, sustained attention, performance monitoring, inhibition of impulses, and goal-directed persistence. It also affects an individual's ability to control and modulate their emotions.

Many clients I see have deficits in executive functioning which prevents them from having the necessary skills to perform well in school, work or in social settings. With these clients, we often need to make diagnostic decisions through testing and assessment, and then develop an individualized treatment plan addressing school, home and work. This might involve individual behavioural therapy, school or work consultation, referral to medical professionals, and psychoeducation. 

I often provide reading material, training videos and demonstrate and practice specific intervention techniques with clients. Much of the work we do in the area of ADHD is based upon the research and treatment programs developed by Dr. Russell Barkley. Please refer to my ADHD/ADD page for more information.

What about Anxiety, Depression or Family Issues?
As part of the ADHD and autism assessment process adolescents and adults undergo a diagnostic assessment for depression, anxiety and behaviour problems that might arise out of environmental or interpersonal situations. These individuals might take part in cognitive based therapy or counselling, or they might be provided with more traditional supportive therapy.  Anxiety and depression are frequent co-morbid disorders for adults with autism spectrum disorder and often need to be addressed in treatment.

How Do I Make an Appointment and is there a Waiting List?
You may email me to begin setting up an appointment. I usually start by meeting for an initial session to gather a developmental history, hear about your current concerns, and to develop a plan of where to go from there. An assessment may or may not be the best choice, and you should fully understand what your options are before proceeding. drjimroche@gmail.com

Fees for initial and ongoing sessions are $260 per hour and may be paid by cash, check, or eTransfer.

While at times it may be difficult to reach me, when I have appointments they are usually available within 10-14 days. If you email or call I will return your call if I have an appointment available within the next 3-4 weeks. I apologize that we cannot return all inquiries. If you haven’t heard from us in a week please wait to contact me again, as it means I have no appointments available for several weeks. I usually return emails and phone calls on Weds and Thursday.

If you are writing about an autism assessment, please put “Autism Assessment” in the subject line, as we prioritize these cases if there are available openings..

To contact me about an appointment please use contact me at this email:
You may contact me through email at drjimroche@gmail.com
Please note your reason for needing an appointment but avoid personal information in this email.
Include your phone number. I may leave a message on that number if I am unable to reach you directly. This message will mention I am a doctor and why I am calling. If you do not want a phone message left, please state so clearly in your email.