Online versus Face-to-Face Assessment

Would you choose an online assessment?

The rise of technology has expanded the ways through which psychological assessments and therapy can be administered. Nowadays, there are more options for making a choice that suits your preferences and your lifestyle.

Online assessments:

• Accessibility: Online assessments can be accessed from anywhere, making them particularly beneficial for people in remote areas, those with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules.
• Convenience: Scheduling and taking assessments online can be more convenient for both the client and the practitioner, often allowing for more flexible timing.
• Anonymity and Comfort: Some individuals may feel more comfortable, less anxious, and less stigmatised having a session in the privacy of their own home.

Face-to-face:

• Rapport building: Some people might find it easier to form a stronger bond with the practitioner with a face to face appointment.
• Non-verbal cues: In face-to-face assessments, it can be easier for a clinician to observe body langauge, eye contact, and other non-verba cues that can help to support an assessment.

Where do neurodiversity assessments come in?

Evidence supports the efficacy of remote neurodiversity assessments, with diagnostic tools such as the ADOS-2 (Blackmore et al., 2023), shown to be just as thorough as face-to-face assessmetns (Gibbs et al., 2021; Woodcock-Johnson, 2016).

Remote assessments may be particularly suitable for people who may struggle with the social and sensory stressors of an. in-person environment, or reduce barriers for those that have trouble with time management or punctuality when attending in-person appointments.