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Autism Assessment Clinic
Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Our multidisciplinary assessment team provides evidence-based assessments of Autism Spectrum Disorders for children, adolescents, and adults. The assessment team includes Rosemary Andison (Educational & Developmental Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist) and Sarah Turner (Speech Pathologist).
Assessment Procedure
We offer a comprehensive assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Gold-standard diagnostic assessment methods are used.
The assessment typically includes:
* Assessment with the child - Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition [ADOS-2] or Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS-2)
* Developmental Assessment with the parent/ caregiver - Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised [ADI-R]
* Assessment of the child’s adaptive behaviour - Vineland-3/ Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System - Third Edition [ABAS-3]
* Contact with an educator/ third party informant
* Parent and teacher reports of the child’s social behaviours - Social Responsiveness Scale - Second Edition [SRS-2].
All assessments include a written report with recommendations, and a feedback session. Further assessments of related skills such as cognitive ability or speech and language skills may be recommended at the end of the diagnostic assessment.
Additional Information for the Assessment
It is recommended that families prepare for the assessment by bringing copies of relevant referrals, assessment reports, therapist summaries etc for the clinicians to review during the assessment.
It is highly recommended that clients receive an examination from a medical practitioner skilled in the area of child development prior to the assessment (eg. Paediatrician, Psychiatrist, GP). A Medical Evaluation is a critical component of the assessment process to understand whether there are medical causes and/or co-morbidities that may help explain the behavioural presentation of the client and to inform future clinical care. Please speak with one of our clinicians if you have any questions about this
Fees
The cost of the assessment is $3000. Half of this payment is due on the day of the assessment with the remainder due at the feedback appointment.
Please note that NDIS does not fund diagnostic assessments.
Medicare
Clients can access Medicare rebates for the assessment of autism spectrum disorder. This requires a referral from your paediatrician or psychiatrist under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS items) for Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Clients can access partial rebates for four assessment services provided directly to the client (a further four can be authorised by your practitioner if required). MBS Item numbers are 135 (consultant paediatrician) and 289 (consultant psychiatrist).
For clients using Medicare rebates, please provide your referral details to the Gabrielle Centre for Children or to your clinician at your first appointment.