Autism ASD Assessment
Millstream Paediatrics provides full multidisciplinary Autism/ASD assessment services
Paediatrician
Psychologist
Speech Pathologist
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that requires specialist training and comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment processes to enhance diagnostic accuracy and validity.
- Millstream offers a complete assessment services.
- With a positive assessment outcome, the family will be referred to Dr Farhat Hussain to finalise the assessment.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
ASD a developmental disability marked by neurological differences, difficulties in social interactions and atypical behaviours that are restrictive and/or repetitive.
Understanding that early diagnosis and intervention significantly impact outcomes is crucial for parents, caregivers, and individuals interested in autism diagnosis and intervention.
- Autism symptoms and behaviours develop from infancy to early childhood.
- Autism is largely a genetic condition, meaning that there is a greater likelihood of autism when a family history of confirmed autism exists.
- Other factors may increase the risk of autism such as gender, parent age at birth, genetic conditions, birthing complications and very low birth weight.
Is it Autism or something else?
Please be informed that Millstream Paediatric assessments are comprehensive and clinicians gather information that may inform differential diagnosis of other conditions that can share expressions with autism.
For example:
- Routines, lining and organising behaviours can be relevant to anxiety and OCD and not just autism.
- Reduced social interactions and communication can be present for people suffering with depression.
- Challenging behaviours impact negatively on social interactions.
- ADHD interferes in a child’s ability to socially engage with others, maintain eye contact and make and keep friends.
- Demand avoidance can be a greater predictor of ADHD than ASD with studies showing that approximately 70% of individuals with ADHD had markers of demand avoidance (Haire et al., 2023). A child may push back on starting cognitively demanding tasks, or stopping their favourite activity, and they may lash out with these requests or demands. Executive functioning impairment (e.g., difficulties with memory, understanding time, organisation, or following instructions can contribute to these resistences, as can being easily distracted.
In assessment, Millstream Paediatrics clinicians consider all factors, including:
- Mental Health (e.g., depression, anxiety, OCD, disruptive mood dysregulation).
- Behaviour/Conduct (e.g., defiance, oppositional reactivity).
- Other Neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., ADHD, intellectual & learning differences, language differences).
- Neurological factors (e.g., epilepsy, other).
- Medical/genetic factors
- Sensory motor factors
- And other factors
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. You can self-refer for autism assessment, although a GP or Paediatrician referral is preferred.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) National Assessment Guidelines were updated in 2023.
Under the updated guidelines, a Clinical Psychologist, Educational & Developmental Psychologist or Neurodevelopmental Psychologist can conduct a Lead Practitioner Diagnostic Evaluation in collaboration with a medical practitioner.
Medicare Rebates may apply under the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) Package when a Paediatrican refers a child under the age of 13 years. This is only applicable for select assessments completed directly with the individual.
Medicare rebates do not apply for GP referrals. Check with your Private Health Care provider for rebates.
Under HCWA funding, a referring psychiatrist or paediatrician will usethe following Medicare Item Codes:
- Paediatrician item codes 135.
Pre-Assessment:
- Initial parent-only consult, 60 – 90 minutes. This appointment is a consult designed to openly discuss concerns, symptoms and behaviours without your child present. By the end of the appointment, an assessment plan will be recommended.
- There is no obligation to proceed with an assessment after this time.
Assessment Process:
- 16 – 20 hours in total.
- School or Daycare Visit for child observations.
- Teacher or Educator/s Interview.
- Parent Clinical Interview (ADI-R).
- Child autism assessment.
- Child cognitive assessment.
- Specialist Liaison.
- Educational/Specialist report review.
- Differential diagnostic considerations.
- Multidisciplinary liaison.
- Comprehensive report preparation.
- NB: school observations do not occur for adolescents in consideration of privacy and respect. School Psychologist assistance may be engaged for school context information.
Post-Assessment Process:
- Feedback Appointment
Refer to the fees page.
Yes. Millstream works collaboratively with Paediatrician partners. If you do not have a paediatrician and there is a resulting confirmed diagnosis, we will refer you to our multidisciplinary paediatrician. No wait times apply.
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