Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood and continues across the lifespan. Individuals with ASD demonstrate differences across two main areas of functioning: interacting and communicating socially with others and displaying behaviours or interests that are restricted, repetitive, or fixated. Some Individuals with ASD display many of the signs across these two areas of differences, whereas others display only a few.

Assessment of ASD is typically conducted by a multidisciplinary team of allied health professionals. This team usually includes a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, a Psychologist, and a Speech Pathologist. Required specialists:

  • Children under the age of 12 years: Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, Speech Pathologist, AND Psychologist

  • Adolescents aged 13-17 years: Paediatrician or Psychiatrist AND Psychologist

  • Adults: Psychiatrist. (Psychologist if required)

Usually, a General Practitioner (GP) would make the referral to a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. If the Paediatrician or Psychiatrist believes an individual may have ASD, they may then refer to a Psychologist and any other health professionals for additional assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.

As part of the assessment, the Psychologist asks the parent/care-giver/client about their development, their strengths and differences, and their behaviour.

The process for assessing ASD concerns follow a holistic framework, where an individual is evaluated within their personal, activity and environmental contexts. It follows a strengths-focused approach, in which identifying the strengths, skills, interests, resources and support systems of the individual and their caregiver(s) and/or support people are recognised as being as important as identifying limitations.

Adults can complete an online assessment to screen for behaviours consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Child & Adolescent ASD Assessment

SESSION ONE

  • Confirmation of your appointment. You will receive several online questionnaire links. These must be completed before your appointment.

  • Parental/Care-giver(s) interview (45 minutes)

  • Observations of the child/adolescent (30 minutes)

SESSION TWO

  • Observations of the child/adolescent (30 minutes)

  • Cognitive (IQ) evaluation (60-90 minutes)

  • Diagnostic interview (60 minutes)

  • Parent(s)/Care-giver(s) and school teacher will be provided with two online assessments; (1) adaptive behaviour and (2) autism spectrum rating scale.

SESSION THREE

  • Observations of the child/adolescent (15-20 minutes)

  • Standardised assessment of how the child/adolescent adapts to their everyday environment (30-45 minutes)

  • Standardised assessment of behaviours (30-45 minutes)

SESSION FOUR

  • Diagnostic report

  • Comprehensive feedback session, including; a summary of information collected, diagnostic impression and recommendations (45-60 minutes)

Adult ASD Assessment

PRE-DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW SESSION

A pre-diagnostic interview would be conducted if a referral from your GP or Psychiatrist has not been completed. A pre-diagnostic interview would determine if a comprehensive ASD assessment is appropriate, and would clarify:

  1. Reasons for and potential benefits/risks of pursuing an assessment

  2. What will be included in the assessment process, if deemed beneficial

  3. Completion of screening questions, if required

If you wish to proceed with the assessment, an assessment session plan would be as followed:

SESSION ONE

  • Confirmation of your appointment. You will receive several online questionnaire links. These must be completed before your appointment.

  • Pre-diganostic interview (45 minutes). Please note, you are able to bring a parent, partner or sibling to support you.

SESSION TWO

  • Diagnostic interview (90 minutes)

  • Cognitive (IQ) evaluation, if required (90 minutes)

SESSION THREE

  • Clinical interview with a spouse, partner, parent or another family member. Ideally, this is someone who knows the person well and can provide information about the developmental history and day-to-day functioning (45 minutes).

  • Standardised assessment of socialisation differences (30 minutes)

  • Standardised assessment of how the client adapts to their everyday environment (30 minutes)

  • Impact assessment of any identified ASD features (15-30 minutes)

SESSION FOUR

  • Diagnostic report

  • Comprehensive feedback session, including; a summary of information collected, diagnostic impression and recommendations (45-60 minutes). Clients may wish to bring a significant other, family member, or support person to accompany them to this appointment.