GETTING ASSESSED
Assessment for Children
As a parent you may be worried about your child's development. You, or someone close to you, may have noticed that your child's speech is delayed, or that they seem to be 'aloof' or 'detached' from you. There can be many reasons for a child's development being delayed. One of those could be the presence of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Autism Victoria has prepared a checklist of possible signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Assessment for Adults
You may have read or seen something about Autism or Asperger Syndrome and said "That's me!" Or, you may be the parent, partner or friend of an adult whom you think may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. You are not alone. Because of our improved knowledge, a number of adults are now being diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Some people in this position choose to see a professional for a diagnosis. Others prefer not to. Either option is okay. The important thing is to learn as much as you can about Autism Spectrum Disorders. This will help you understand that people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder have a different view of the world around them, and often find the 'people factor' very difficult.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Services in Victoria for children
There are a number of government-funded teams that specialise in the assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Parents can telephone these teams directly; but you may need a referral from your GP or paediatrician. Contact the team closest to where you live.
Assessment for Children
If your child has a developmental delay and is suspected of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder you are strongly advised to have your child assessed. You should arrange for an assessment as soon as possible because there can be waiting lists.
Several professionals will be involved in the assessment. They will include a doctor (paediatrician and/or a child psychiatrist), a psychologist and a speech pathologist. It is important that they are experienced with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In Victoria, these professionals may be part of a public Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment team (free of charge), or they may be in private practice (fees are payable).
Autism Spectrum Disorder is not diagnosed using biological tests, such as a blood test. Your child will be assessed using objective and subjective observations involving
- a developmental history
- cognitive testing
- speech and language testing
- behavioural observations
These observations can be made over several appointments, or during one 'multi disciplinary' assessment session.
Once the assessment has been completed the team will decide if your child meets the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The assessment team will also explain to you their specific diagnosis, or where your child fits on the spectrum
Components of an Assessment
Here is a list of the components of an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are desirable and provide useful information, but are not essential to make a diagnosis.
Once you have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, you will receive an assessment report. This is an important document. It will be used for planning your child's program and to help you access services. Various Government departments will use this report to determine if your child is eligible for services such as school, respite care and carer payments.
Paediatric Medical Assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a medical condition or illness. A medical assessment will reveal if there is any medical condition that may explain your child's developmental delay. Many parents will already have taken their child for a paediatric check up.
Communication Assessment
A speech pathologist will use a number of tests to form a picture of your child's expressive and receptive communication skills. Verbal (spoken) and non-verbal communication (use of gesture and reading of body language) skills will be tested. Many children will also have their pragmatic language skills assessed. Pragmatic language skills refer to how effectively children use words and gesture to communicate with others.
Cognitive Assessment
Our cognitive skills determine how we learn. A psychologist will assess your child's cognitive abilities. It is essential that the psychologist is experienced with Autism Spectrum Disorders so they can accurately interpret your child's behavioural responses. The psychological assessment will provide valuable information for your child's program development and management strategies.
* Audiological Assessment
One of the behaviours noticed by many parents is their child's unusual auditory response of "acting as though deaf". An auditory assessment will exclude the possibility of a hearing impairment.
* Sensory Integrative Assessment
This is a specialised assessment done by an occupational therapist qualified in the area of sensory integration. It is not essential for a diagnosis and is not always readily available. However, it is regarded as highly desirable, especially if your child has significant sensory problems, such as sensitivity to noise, taste or touch.
Psychosocial Assessment
This is usually an interview with you, and examines your family history and the developmental history of your child. It is desirable that both parents participate in this interview.
Behavioural Observations
Your observations of your child are very valuable for the assessment team. However, it is also important to have independent and objective observations of your child in different settings. These observations build a picture of your child's behaviour and responses.
* Child Psychiatric Consultation
A child psychiatrist may be involved in the Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment for several reasons. Some children's 'autistic like' behaviour may be due to a psychiatric condition related to trauma, emotional or attachment problems. In some Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment teams the child psychiatrist will review the assessment information and assist families in understanding the significance of the assessment and the impact of the diagnosis.
* Rating Scale
An Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis is based on clinical criteria , not on rating scale scores. However, rating scales are useful because they objectively describe your child's behavioural pattern at the time of the assessment. This provides a baseline that can help measure your child's progress over the years. Scales used can include the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC) or the Autism Behaviour Checklist (ABC). Another valuable test is the Psycho Educational Profile (PEP-R), used in the Cognitive Assessment. The Victorian Education Department currently requires a CARS score as part of their eligibility requirements for the Program for Students with Disabilities.
Multidisciplinary Case Conference/Discussion
This is a valuable part of the assessment process and will draw together all the information and testing results. Parents are part of this discussion. You will gain a clearer picture of your child's strengths and weaknesses and your child's diagnosis will be confirmed. In some teams, the case manager will then assist you to access services that will help your child. In other instances, you will be referred directly to an early intervention agency, a school or Autism Victoria.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment for Adults
There are usually two scenarios where an adult will seek an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment.
- The person may have been diagnosed with another disorder in childhood or adolescence such as intellectual disability or a mental illness. A carer or clinician may observe 'autistic like' characteristics in the adult and recommend an assessment for the possibility of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- The person may have struggled for many years with social situations and a sense of 'being different'. They, or someone close to them, may hear something about Autism or Asperger Syndrome and think 'that's me!'.
There are currently no publicly funded adult Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment clinics in Victoria. If you (or a someone close to you) are an adult seeking an assessment the best option is to consult a psychologist who has some experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They will ask you a lot of questions about your childhood, your experiences at school and as an adult, and may do some psychological testing. This information will be used to help make a diagnosis.
Autism Victoria is able to assist you to locate an experienced psychologist.
If you, or the adult suspected of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder, also has a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety disorder or behavioural disorder, then it is recommended that you also consult a psychiatrist.
Unfortunately there are very few psychiatrists with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience. We recommend that you contact the Victorian Dual Disability Service for psychiatric support.
You should also read Adult Years.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Teams in Victoria.
The following are government-funded teams that specialise in the assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Parents can telephone these teams directly; you do not need a referral. Contact the team closest to where you live.
(The acronym CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
-
Austin CAMHS - Developmental Assessment Program
Austin Health - HEIDELBERG
Telephone (03) 9496 3620 -
RCH Mental Health Services Travancore - Autism Spectrum Assessment Team (Western Suburbs to age 15)
50 Flemington Street - FLEMINGTON
Telephone (03) 9345 6011 -
Alfred CAMHS- Developmental Assessment Service
999 Nepean Highway - MOORABBIN
Telephone (03) 8552 0555 -
Monash Autism Program - MAP
Monash CAMHS
Monash Medical Centre - CLAYTON
Telephone (03) 9594 1300 (ask for the MAP Coordinator) -
Developmental Disabilities Clinic - Paediatrics (please note that a medical referral is required to see this team)
Monash Medical Centre - CLAYTON
Telephone (03) 9594 2399 -
Gateways Support Services (for children under age 6)
10-12 Albert Street - GEELONG WEST
Telephone (03) 5221 2984 -
Eastern CAMHS (This region has developed a list of local clinicians who do Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments. When you ring ask the Intake Worker for their contact list.)
Maroondah Hospital, RINGWOOD
Telephone (03) 9870 9788 -
North East CAMHS - Autism Spectrum Assessment Team (ASAT)
WANGARATTA - Telephone (03) 5722 4837
WODONGA - Telephone (02) 6024 7711 -
Northern Mallee CAMHS - Autism Spectrum Support & Evaluation Team (ASSET)
107 Pine Avenue - MILDURA
Telephone (03) 5018 7900 -
Gippsland Autism & Related Disorders Assessment Service
LRH Mental Health Services - TRARALGON
Telephone (03) 5171 1255 (Triage) -
Barwon Children's Health Service (will assess school age children only)
1 Reynolds Road - BELMONT
Telephone (03) 5226 7075 -
Bendigo CAMHS - Autism Assessment Team
BENDIGO
Telephone (03) 5440 6500 -
Grampians Region Autism Assessment & Diagnostic Team
BALLARAT - Telephone (03) 5320 4100 -
Goulburn Valley CAMHS - GV Autism Spectrum Assessment Team (ASAT)
Operating in SEYMOUR and SHEPPARTON
Telephone (03) 5799 0943 -
Warrnambool CAMHS
WARRNAMBOOL - Telephone (03) 5561 9100
Private Assessments
Contact Autism Victoria for details of private practitioners and teams who conduct Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments on a fee-paying basis.