Autism Assessment

What is Autism?

Everyone is neurodiverse, with all of us having unique ways we process information. Autistic people have a way of processing information what is not typical of most people and are commonly referred to as neurodivergent. These differences can impact on the way autistic people respond, process and experience the world. This is a combination of positives and negatives and its through the understanding of both that the autistic person can flourish.

Autism Assessment

Autism assessments are available for adolescents and adults (12 years and above). The assessment has several stages and is quite detailed. The reason for this is to understand you (or your child/adolescent) as fully as possible. The assessment includes the use of gold standard assessment tools by a clinical neuropsychologist or clinical psychologist, in order to assist in determining the diagnosis. For an adult seeking the diagnosis, this will be the most accurate if a family member or caregiver who knew you when you were young (around the age of 5) can also be available to answer questions. This would typically be your parents, but may include close aunts or uncles, grandparents or an older sibling. In line with best practice, some individuals may also need to see another psychologist or psychiatrist in order to provide an additional opinion, so that we get it right. This will be discussed at throughout the assessment process.

The stages for the assessment include

1. Pre-assessment – Completion of a series of questionnaires by both the individual and your parent/care giver.
2. In clinic assessment – This will be between one and three sessions, depending on how much you (or your child) can manage each day. The assessment uses gold standard tools of autism assessment as well as tests of cognitive functioning.
3. Collateral
   • Developmental interview with parent / caregiver
   • Teachers – If the patient is still at school, with your consent, I will interview their teachers and have them complete questionnaires.
   • Additional information – you will need to bring all previous reports you have such as paediatrician, psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, school reports and NAPLANs.
4. Feedback Session
   • The feedback session(s) is designed to be educational and strengths based. The perspective taken at our practice is that autism is a “difference” in thinking and therefore feedback and education is focused on what this means for you, and how those around you can support you to flourish.
5. Report
   • This will provide an opinion on whether the DSM-5/DSM-5-TR criteria are met for autism. If criteria are met and the report is for an NDIS application, then the report will be written to support this application. A “Severity Level” will also be given if funding is going to be requested.
   • Other recommendations can also be addressed based on the referral question.

Pricing

Please contact the clinic for pricing. Pricing depends on detail requested and there are multiple price points. Factors which influence price include

• Whether a report is required
• Whether there is a NDIS application being made
• Whether there are additional diagnoses you are wanting to explore (e.g. ADHD)

NDIS

• The NDIS also does not fund assessments for diagnostic purposes, therefore an autism assessment cannot be claimed through NDIS. It can be used for supporting an application for NDIA. Please let us know in advance if this is your goal.