ADULT ASD ASSESSMENT (based on Autism CRC Australian Guidelines)

Our assessment follows the Australian national guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment as outlined by Autism CRC.

As part of the Australian Guidelines, prior to formal assessment it is recommended to have patients go to their GP do a health screen. We email a review list for patients that they can go through with their doctor prior to them attending the formal assessment at our centre. The assessment is done in 3 parts as per Australian Guidelines, consisting of (1) a GP ASD-based medical review (2) a Comprehensive Needs Assessment and a Diagnostic Evaluation and (3) an ADOS-II Behavioural Assessment

ASD Assessment Procedure:

(1) Booking & Questionnaires

Once an assessment is booked with our team, the patient (or caregiver) will be emailed a series of questionnaires as well as an information sheet and checklist for their GP. The questionnaires involve standardised assessment and constitute part of both the Comprehensive Needs Assessment and the Diagnostic Evaluation. This will need to be completed at least 2 weeks prior to the assessment at the centre.

(2) Review with GP

The patient will need to undergo a review with their GP if there are any medical concerns, and we will provide information to take to your GP. It is vital that the information sheet is taken to the GP as not all GPs will be familiar with the latest requirements for ASD medical screening. The GP should complete the form and make referrals for additional testing (if needed).

(3) Assessment of Functioning: 

This assessment will involve review of full medical, developmental, educational and mental health history. Family history will be discussed so if you are unclear of current family history you may want to discuss this with family members prior to the consultation where possible. Some people may want to bring a parent or care-giver for this part of the consultation if there is an issues with memory or insight. Social and environmental factors will be investigated, along with other potential differential diagnoses that may better account for the symptoms. Strengths will be considered in relation to how they inform needs.

DSM-5 criteria will be thoroughly explored via clinical interview. This will include:

  • Social issues: Problems in social-emotional reciprocity, issues in nonverbal communication & deficits in developing and maintaining social relationships.
  • Restrictive patterns of behaviour: Issues with repetitive motor movements, inflexibility with routines, fixated interests and hyper/hypo-sensitivities.

It is noted that whilst differential diagnoses and comorbid (co-occurring diagnoses) may be explored, it is unlikely that diagnosis of disorders other than ASD will be able to be made as part of this assessment. In most cases, testing of other disorders will need to be done as part of additional assessment (eg. learning issues, ADHD, language disorders, intellectual disability, motor disorders, emotional or behavioural disorders, sensory processing disorder etc).

(4) Diagnostic Assessment

Following step 3 it will be determined whether an ADOS-II will be conducted on a separate date (within 1-4 weeks). If you are travelling into Sydney please let us know so we can try and make alternate arrangements. The ADOS-II will be done unless it is felt that it is 100% clear that ASD can be ruled out with immediate certainty. This will be done at the discretion of the assessing psychologist. 

All collected information from the Comprehensive Needs Assessment, ADOS-II, MIGDAS and Diagnostic Evaluation will then be reviewed by the ASD team: The assessing psychologist, ADOS assessor, and the Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist.  Outcomes will be determined.

At this stage one of three outcomes will occur:

(A) A diagnosis will be ruled out. If this occurs, other potential diagnoses will be discussed and if needed, additional assessment into these areas recommended.

OR

(B) If no further testing is needed by a medical professional, then a diagnosis can be confirmed. If this occurs we will discuss recommendations for therapy as well as discuss potential co-occurring disorders that may need further assessment and treatment.

OR

(C) A diagnosis is unclear and further testing will be required. It is noted that sometimes in borderline or unclear cases it can be helpful to get information from caregivers, spouses or even children. In these cases with permission from the patient we will contact these peoples to gain additional information to clarify whether full diagnostic criteria is met. Please note that this may delay the report, hence, if you require the report by a certain date, please make sure you book well in advance.

(5) Follow-up consultation, Diagnosis, Recommendations & Report

A follow-up consultation will then be done to go through the results, conclusions, diagnosis and recommendations. A report will then be prepared within approximately 3 weeks outlining the results, diagnosis, support needs, potential comorbidities (or potential differential diagnosis if a diagnosis is not conformed), along with recommendations and additional resources.

Costs of Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment

Standardised and clinical questionnaires: $100

Assessment of Functioning: $1080: An ASD assessment lasts typically for 3 hours, however for more complex cases with more severe co-morbidities it can go over the 3 hours. $1140 is for up to 3 hours. [Additional costs may be incurred if the assessment goes over 3 hours. Additional costs will be $260 per hour]

Diagnostic Evaluation: $600

Intellectual Assessment (only if concerns if intellectual disability): $800

Follow-up consultation & Report: $680

Note: There is a $300 deposit to secure a 3 hour appointment time period with our psychologists, and this deposit will be taken off the final invoice. You will also need to pay upfront the costs of questionnaires ($100), as upon booking your appointment we immediately purchase standardised questionnaires from a psychological test company on your behalf. Note: The deposit is non-refundable unless cancelled within 48 hours of booking or exceptional circumstances.