Autism Assessment

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world. A formal assessment provides clarity, validation, and access to appropriate supports. Our Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Psychology Registrars offer comprehensive, evidence-based Autism assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Our Autism assessments are tailored to each individual’s unique needs and developmental history. Our assessments are thorough, respectful, and consistent with current best practice recommendations (Autism CRC Guidelines).

At Approach Psychology, we offer testing for children aged 6 years through to adults using the WISC-V or WAIS-5, ADI-R and ADOS.

Key areas assessed in an Autism Assessment:

• Assessment of Functioning – an individual’s level of ability across a broad range of daily living areas.
• Developmental Interview – medical and health history, family history, developmental history.
• Diagnostic Interview – a structured interview with the individual and/or their parent/caregiver.
• Diagnostic Assessment – an assessment of the signs and symptoms for ASD and other related conditions.
• Cognitive (IQ) Functioning –  To see the key areas assessed in a Cognitive Assessment, click here.

Why seek a formal assessment?

• To clarify an individual’s strengths and challenges
• To support access to services and funding (e.g., NDIS, school accommodations)
• To help tailor educational, workplace, or therapeutic supports
• To offer personal insight and validation
• To access a shared language for understanding the unique range of strengths, challenges and support needs for individuals with a diagnosis.

What does the process look like?

The process is structured, collaborative, and tailored to the individual. It typically includes:

Initial Consultation

• A biopsychosocial interview to explore developmental history, current concerns, medical background, and family context.
• Discussion of goals and expectations.
• Review of school reports, previous assessments, and other relevant documents
• The initial assessment is predominantly information gathering to ensure that appropriate tests are administered and that any recommendations are individually tailored.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Questionnaires

• Following your initial assessment, your clinician will electronically issue relevant questionnaires and assessments to be completed by each parent/carer/client and, where appropriate, teachers.

Duration: Each questionnaire is approximately 10-15 minutes.

Face-to Face Testing

• Your psychologist will recommend and administer a series of standardised tests, usually the WISC-V or WAIS-5 and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS-2).
• Testing is typically completed in the morning to maximise alertness and reduce the risk of mental fatigue influencing the results.
• The duration of testing varies depending on the tests required and child-specific factors such as motivation, alertness and concentration.

Duration: 2.5-4 hours, which may be split across two days to capitalise on an individual’s focus and alertness.

Possible Additional Testing: To ensure a holistic understanding and accurate diagnosis, it is essential to examine other likely neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions as additional diagnoses or alternative explanations. Occasionally, this requires additional assessment, which will be raised with you by your psychologist during the initial consultation:

Structured Diagnostic Interview

• The Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised is a semi-structured interview for caregivers to assess individuals suspected of having autism or other autism spectrum disorders.

Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours

Feedback Session

• A collaborative discussion of findings.
• Review of questionnaires completed by the individual, parents and teachers/observers.
• Opportunity to ask questions and clarify results.
• Recommendations for support, therapy, or accommodations.

Duration: 60-90 minutes

Comprehensive Report

• A detailed document summarising the assessment, diagnosis (if applicable), and tailored recommendations.
• Useful for accessing services, school supports, or workplace accommodations and where applicable NDIS funding.

What is the cost?

The cost of an Autism Assessment is dependent on many factors including the number of questionnaires, the complexity of the presenting issue and specific testing required. At Approach Psychology, our assessments are administered only by Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Psychology Registrars who have undertaken specialist and extended university-level training in administering and interpreting Psychometric Assessments. Furthermore, our assessments are comprehensive and fulfil the gold-standard recommendations for diagnostic evaluation and assessment of functioning set forth by the National Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia (Autism CRC, 2018).

For a personalised quote, please speak to our friendly reception team on 0478 763 163 or Click Here.