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Autism, or more formally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties with social-communication and interaction, restricted/repetitive interests and behaviours, and sensory sensitivities. 

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Common features include:

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  • Delayed or unusual speech

  • Unusual/reduced non-verbal communication

  • Reduced interest in peers/having friends

  • Difficulty navigating social interactions

  • Lack of social reciprocity e.g., one-sided conversations

  • Insisting on sameness/difficulty coping with change 

  • Odd/intense interests e.g., mobile phone plans

  • Unusual/repetitive mannerisms e.g., hand flapping

  • Stereotyped play e.g., lining up objects

  • Lack of imaginative/pretend play

  • Echoing others' speech/things heard e.g., "doors closing, please stand clear"

  • Compulsive/ritualistic behaviour e.g., only eating white foods  

  • Sensory seeking behaviours e.g., mouthing objects

  • Sensory sensitivities e.g., loud noise, bright lights

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What is autism

What we offer

At our clinic, we offer comprehensive ASD assessments for children aged 3-12. The main assessment instruments used are the ADOS-2, ADI-R, and SRS-2. Use of the ADOS-2 and ADI-R in combination are considered the gold standard approach for ASD testing.

How autism testing can help

  • Determining whether a child meets criteria for ASD 

  • Gaining greater insight into a child's strengths and challenges and therefore how to best support them

  • Determining appropriate interventions/supports to strengthen/address issues identified in the assessment

  • Accessing extra supports at school e.g. classroom adjustments/accomodations and special exam provisions 

  • Accessing government funding e.g. NDIS funding, Centrelink Carer’s Allowance



Autism testing typically involves four stages: 

The process

Little child playing with lots of colorful plastic toys indoor, building different cars an

Autism Testing

1

CHILD Assessment

The first step is for your child to be assessed on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), which is an observational assessment designed to assess social-communication and interaction, and restricted/repetitive interests and behaviours. 

 

Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

2

Parent Interview

Your clinician will then meet with you to gather a comprehensive history about your child's social-communication and interaction, and behaviour. We generally use the Autism Diagnostic Interview  - Revised Edition (ADI-R) to achieve this.

 

Duration: 3 hours

3

ONline Questionnaire

You and your child's teacher(s) are then required to complete an online assessment (Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition) which looks at social communication/interaction and restricted/repetitive behaviours.

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Duration: 15 - 20 minutes (per questionnaire)

4

FEEDback Session

Once testing is complete, it typically takes 3 weeks for your clinician to score and prepare your report. Your clinician will then meet with you to discuss the results and recommendations. Your report will contain a detailed overview of the results and individually-tailored recommendations. 
 
Duration: 1-1.5 hours

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