Funding Options at Creative Minds

Did You Know?

At Creative Minds Consulting, we are proud to offer a range of services to support children, teens, and families—including counselling, parent coaching, and comprehensive assessments.

Many families aren’t aware that financial support may be available to help access these services—and we’re here to help make that process easier.

AUTISM FUNDING (AFU)

Did you know that we are approved vendors with Autism Funding? This means families can use their funding to access both counselling and parent coaching services with our team. These supports can be incredibly valuable in helping children build skills while empowering parents with effective strategies at home.

VARIETY CHILDREN’S CHARITY

In addition, Variety – The Children’s Charity is a non-profit organization that may provide funding for assessments and counselling services. This can be a great option for families seeking additional financial support.

Meet Our Team

We’re fortunate to have a skilled and compassionate team ready to support you:

• Christine and Brie offer counselling and parent coaching, supporting families with a wide range of needs using practical, evidence-based approaches.

• Carolina provides specialized assessments, including ASD, ADHD, and psychoeducational evaluations, helping families gain clarity and direction for next steps.

Whether you’re looking for support, guidance, or answers, we’re here to help.

Want to Learn More?

If you have questions about funding options or would like to get started, we’d love to connect.

📞 Call us today to learn more about how we can support you and your family.

Understanding High Masking in Girls with ASD- Offering Autsim Assessments in Coquitlam and surrounding area

Autism can look different in girls and women compared with boys, and that often leads to later or missed diagnoses.

What Is “Masking”?

“Masking” (also called camouflaging) refers to consciously or unconsciously mimicking expected social behaviours to fit in or avoid standing out. Girls often:

• Use rehearsed social scripts

• Copy peers’ facial expressions or gestures

• Suppress stimming or intense interests

• Appear to engage socially but feel exhausted afterward

These strategies can hide core autistic traits during clinical assessments — especially if the assessor doesn’t specifically ask about internal experiences or how much effort social interaction takes.

Why It Can Be Missed or Misinterpreted

Because girls with ASD may:

• Have interests that seem socially acceptable (e.g., animals, books, fashion)

• Show internalized distress rather than obvious behaviours

• Mask well in structured settings like appointments

• Be mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or ADHD instead of ASD

• Not show classic repetitive behaviours that tools were historically normed on

Traditional tools like the ADOS‑2 and ADI‑R are gold standards, but they can miss subtler presentations if the clinician doesn’t explore qualitative history (early development, sensory experiences, masking behaviours, exhaustion after socializing).

Gold‑Standard ASD Assessment — What It Should Include

A thorough autism evaluation — especially for girls with high masking — usually involves:

Tracking Developmental History

• Early social milestones

• Patterns of play

• Language and social communication

• Interests and routines

This is why the ADI‑R (a detailed caregiver interview) is important — it looks back at early development.

Direct Observation & Interaction

• Observation of social communication

• Flexible tasks designed to reveal social response differences

• Not relying solely on “surface friendliness” or eye contact

• Considering the internal experience (energy cost of socializing)

Multiple Data Sources

Good assessments integrate:

• ADOS‑2 (behavioural observation)

• ADI‑R (developmental history)

• Cognitive or psycho‑educational testing

• Reports from caregivers/teachers/school

• Sensory profiles, executive function evaluation

If any piece — especially detailed history or sensory/descriptive interviews — is left out, girls highly skilled at masking can be underdiagnosed.

Diagnostic & Assessment Services

We, at Creative Minds Consulting Inc. provide Private psychological assessments (ASD, ADHD, learning/developmental), led by Registered Psychologist Carolina Hall with ADOS‑2 and ADI‑R expertise.

Before the Appointment

• Bring a timeline of developmental history from early childhood to present

• Note examples of masking you see at home or school (e.g., scripting, forced eye contact, resting fatigue after socializing)

• Bring teacher reports and historical reports, if available

• Describe sensory sensitivities and routines

During the Assessment

• Share internal experiences, not just behaviour observed during the visit

• Discuss specific examples where your child had to force behaviors to fit in

• Highlight impact on daily functioning, not only test scores

Summary

Girls and women with autism can present differently than boys — often with strong masking that hides core traits. Standard tools like ADOS‑2 and ADI‑R are excellent when used thoroughly with developmental history, but can miss subtler presentations if not interpreted in context.

If you’re seeking assessment in Coquitlam, start with a specialist who understands these nuances — such as Carolina Hall at Creative Minds Consulting — and prepare detailed personal history and examples of everyday challenges to help the assessor see past masking.

SIGNS OF ADHD IN GIRLS AND WOMEN

When to Seek Help

ADHD often looks different in girls and women, which is why it can go unnoticed for years. While boys may be hyperactive and disruptive, girls often internalize their symptoms.

Common Signs

1. Trouble Focusing

• Easily distracted, forgetful, or disorganized.

• Struggling to finish tasks or follow plans.

2. Inner Restlessness

• Feeling constantly “on the go” or mentally racing.

• Fidgeting, talking a lot, or restless energy—often subtle.

3. Emotional Rollercoaster

• Mood swings, frustration, or overwhelm.

• Sensitive to criticism or rejection.

4. Social Struggles

• Trouble maintaining friendships.

• Feeling socially different or misunderstood.

5. Perfectionism & Low Self-Esteem

• Overachieving to compensate for perceived shortcomings.

• Chronic self-doubt and hiding struggles.

6. Time & Task Challenges

• Procrastination, poor planning, difficulty prioritizing.

• Last-minute rushes or forgetfulness.

When to Seek an Assessment

Reach out to a professional if ADHD-like patterns impact your daily life, work, relationships, or mental health. Signs include:

• Feeling constantly overwhelmed.

• Trouble keeping up at school or work.

• Anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem linked to focus or organization struggles.

Tip: ADHD can be diagnosed at any age. Many women only discover it in adulthood, often after challenges at work, college, or parenting. Contact us to book an appointment!