How to diagnose autism in adults

At Autism SA, they take place with a member of the Diagnostic Team in a dedicated space featuring a range of games and toys that may be used as part of the assessment. While this occurs, parents or carers are interviewed in an adjoining room and detailed information about their child’s development and current patterns of behaviour is recorded.

Assessments are videoed (with parental permission) to enable members of the team not present in the room to observe and contribute to the findings.

During an assessment, we are looking for specific characteristics and behaviours that are likely to indicate whether or not a child is on the autism spectrum.  Assessments may look unstructured, but they are being conducted by very skilled professionals who are looking for very specific patterns of behaviour.

Much of what happens during the assessment will actually be led by the child, and this enables the diagnostician to observe a range of behaviours.

In some cases, it may be that the Diagnostic Team will also want to observe a child in another setting, such as at kindergarten or at school.

The time required for an assessment can vary, from between 1 to 2½ hours. Parents and carers will be advised of the length of time it is anticipated will be needed in their appointment letter.

Adults generally come to Autism SA for an assessment either through self-referral, i.e., they make a referral themselves or one is made on their behalf by a partner or family member, or they are referred to us by a GP, nurse or allied health professional. Assessments can only take place if the adult consents to the process in writing.

In either case, as part of the referral process you or your referrer will have been asked to complete a Diagnostic Assessment Referral form. After the Diagnostic Team receives the referral, you will then be sent an 8-page questionnaire to complete, and which asks you to give relevant information about specific areas of your development as a child, a teenager, and then into adulthood.

You will also be asked to give a similar questionnaire to a member of your family or someone who knows you very well.

The information provided in these questionnaires is then the starting point for a conversation and interaction based assessment, which will be tailored to your needs and circumstances.

You will also be asked to complete a standardised screening tool for Autism Spectrum Disorder. A consent form will also be sent to you.

Once the team has received the questionnaires, screening tool and consent form, an appointment for your assessment will be organised.

You will be asked questions about any signs and characteristics of autism that you might display in terms of your social communication and interaction, or any restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour that you exhibit.

Other relevant factors may also be examined, such as any co-occurring conditions or whether you have previously received another diagnosis.

Aspect Assessments provide assessments for autism across the lifespan. A comprehensive assessment can identify developmental difficulties and determine what strategies and supports will assist someone to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Please note: Aspect’s waitlist for an autism assessment is currently a minimum of 12 months. At this stage, we are taking names for the waitlist and notifying people if an earlier appointment becomes available.

Our assessment services are delivered by Clinical Psychologists or Neuropsychologists, with experience and post-graduate training in the assessment and diagnosis of autism. We follow the “National Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder”, and use gold standard assessment tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule- Second Edition (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised (ADI-R). All our assessments include a comprehensive report, which is provided within 4 to 6 weeks of the assessment date.

Aspect Assessments offers two types of assessment:

Autism Assessments

These assessments can determine whether someone has autism (i.e. diagnostic assessment). They are also useful for individuals who have previously been diagnosed with autism but are now wanting an updated assessment and additional information (e.g., to assist with funding applications or support planning) (i.e., review assessment).

Cognitive (IQ) Assessments

These help to determine an individual’s learning capability by identifying cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and can assist with the development of individualised support and learning plans.

Click here for more information on Assessment Types

Autism assessments are able to be offered face to face in one of our clinics (Sydney and Coffs Harbour) or via telehealth. Cognitive assessments need to be conducted face to face, and are not available via telehealth.

What to expect when getting an assessment

Aspect has created animated social stories to help you learn about the assessment process and to know what to expect. We have videos for both face-to-face and telehealth assessments for children and adults.
Click the buttons below to view each social story.

Child Face-to-Face

Child Tele-assessment

Adult Face-to-Face

Adult Tele-assessment

Want help entering the workforce?

Aspect also conducts vocational assessments to assist with career planning and specialised workplace assessments aimed at identifying necessary supports and adjustments.

Aspect Capable Vocational Assessments

Accessing your Telehealth Assessment Appointment

Online assessments via Telehealth are by appointment only. Please contact us on 1800 277 328 to discuss your needs and to make an appointment for an online assessment.

At the time and date of your appointment, you can connect to Telehealth below.

Connect to your Tele-Assessment appointment

Once you click on the above button, please ensure that you select ‘Aspect Assessments’ from the clinic list.

Guide to joining your Tele Assessment session

Pre-call Test

Check and that your device will work with Telehealth.

Test Video Call

What does this test do?

This test will check that your device will work with our Telehealth Service..
This includes:

• Checking your camera, microphone, browser and speakers
• Testing that you can connect to the internet.
• Testing that you can connect to Telehealth.
• Keeping information about how well you can connect to Telehealth.

After the tests, we will help you to try and connect to Telehealth.

Need help? Visit the HealthDirect Teletherapy Help Center

Video Call FAQ

Forms and Information

Aspect Assessments Intake form

Download and complete an intake form and return to: [email protected]. Once we have received the completed intake form, you will get confirmation that we have received the form and you will be put in the queue for a call by our Assessment Team Leaders.

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