Autism Diagnosis
The Autism Association of WA completes Autism assessments for children and adolescents 2 to 18 years of age.
Diagnostic Clinic for Autism
The Autism Diagnostic Clinic has an experienced multidisciplinary staff including specialist Consultant Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologists, Speech Pathologists. We adhere to international best-practice standards for ASD assessments and align with the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism in Australia.
Our comprehensive assessments include a detailed diagnostic report and post-diagnostic support to help those diagnosed, access relevant services and improve their quality of life.
Our clinical team are highly experienced in assessing children and adolescents who have complex developmental needs, are minimally verbal or have co-occurring disabilities.
Adult Autism Diagnosis
The Autism Diagnostic Clinic does not assess adults aged 18 years of age and above. The WA Autism Diagnostician’s Forum provides a list of WA Autism assessors and their approximate wait times on their website here.
We also have a fact sheet which includes information on how to access diagnostic assessments outside of the Association.
Eligibility for Autism Assessment
The Autism Association Diagnostic clinic is a Neurodevelopmental Disability Assessment Panel Provider, delivering ASD assessments on behalf of the Department of Communities. As such, we have limited capacity to accept private referrals, and therefore a referral does not guarantee an assessment booking.
All private referrals are subject to a review process by the clinical team. For referrals to be considered at this clinic, demonstration of the following is required:
• Clinical appropriateness
• Strong evidence of characteristics of ASD emerging in early childhood
• Indicators of characteristics of ASD across multiple settings
We have various pre-screening tools to establish eligibility and to determine whether a referral can be accepted.
Please select the appropriate age for relevant eligibility criteria.
·        Established history of Global Developmental Delay as identified using a formal developmental assessment
·        Families of children who have not had a formal developmental assessment may be asked to complete developmental screening tools to determine eligibility for assessment
·        Established history of significant language delay
·        Significant birth prematurity or genetic syndromes known to be associated with or increase likelihood of autism (e.g., Fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, Down syndrome)
·        Established history of Intellectual Disability; Language Disorder or genetic syndromes
·        Prior diagnosis from interstate/overseas requiring updated documentation
·        Referrals for children who do not have a history of language or developmental delays may be considered if there is strong evidence of ongoing and developmentally atypical differences in social communication, routines, interests, sensory experiences that are present across settings and affect daily life.
Isolated concerns about academic difficulties, social-emotional or behavioural challenges, or sensory sensitivities alone are insufficient to progress assessment.
Autism Assessment Referral Process
Our Specialist Autism Diagnostic Clinic provides multidisciplinary assessments for children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and18 years who may have Autism.
The assessment team consists of a Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychologists and Speech Pathologists, each of whom have extensive experience in the field of Autism.
We accept referrals from a Paediatrician, GP or Psychiatrist. If a child is under the care of a Paediatrician, the referral must come from their treating Paediatrician.Â
Referrals should be addressed to:
Dr. Kelly McKenna-Kerr
Consultant Psychiatrist
215 Stubbs Terrace Shenton Park WA 6008
The referral should be forwarded to the email diagnosis@autism.org.au.
As part of the review process, we will gather information about the child and ask families to complete some forms and provide other relevant information from their school, day care or other relevant health professionals involved in their care.
The comprehensive assessment will involve:
- An initial appointment with the Consultant Psychiatrist to review the clinical history and any concerns.
- A multidisciplinary assessment with Speech Pathologist and Psychologist.Â
- A developmental history interview with parents/caregivers.Â
- A case conference between the assessing team and Consultant Psychiatrist determines the diagnostic outcome.Â
- A comprehensive report will be written detailing the results and offering recommendations.
- A feedback appointment will be organised to discuss the assessment outcome and finalise the assessment process. 
Cost of Autism Assessment
The Autism Association provides heavily subsidised cost of assessments. The fee for a standard ASD assessment is $2,000.
Medicare rebates may apply and components of the assessment are also bulk billed to keep costs low.
Further Subsidised Autism Assessment
Our Diagnostic services are not funded and, therefore, need to be provided based on a fee. However, we understand that this can be difficult for some families. Therefore, we are offering a number of places for subsidised, multidisciplinary Autism assessment to support families who face financial barriers to accessing timely diagnosis. With the generous support of the Wearne Charitable Trust, the Autism Association of Western Australia, is offering a further 50% reduction in assessment costs for eligible families.These significantly subsidised assessments are offered to eligible families experiencing financial hardship.
Families who are facing financial hardship can apply for these subsidised assessments after their referral has been accepted.Â
Eligibility considerations may include:
- Families in receipt of government low-income benefit including:
- Low-income Health Care Card
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Job Seeker Payment.
- Parenting Payment
- Special Benefits
- Rent Assistance
- Â Â Â Â Â Families experiencing financial hardship for other reasons
- Â Â Â Unemployment or loss of employment
Enquire about an Autism Assessment
Contact our team to learn more about our specialist Autism Diagnostic services at diagnosis@autism.org.au.
Autism Association of WA
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Enquire about our specialist Diagnostic service today
Contact our team by phoning (08) 9489 8900 or emailing diagnosis@autism.org.au