Mobile Autism (ASD) Assessment for Children in Brisbane, Logan & Gold Coast
Assessments and Answers Psychology
Intake Session
A one-hour intake session is fundamental to determining which assessment package is right for your child. The intake session is completed without the child present, to allow the psychologist and parent to discuss presentations of concern, and complete relevant rating scales. Upon the psychologist’s review of the information, they will propose which assessment package is most suitable for the child’s needs. A detailed breakdown of the assessment packages can be found under ”Times and Inclusions.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment for Children
“How do I know if my child needs an assessment?”
This assessment package has been developed in accordance with diagnostic and funding body requirements. All assessment components in this package are required to provide a conclusive diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorders present differently among individuals. Some common characteristics/indicators that an ASD assessment may be appropriate include:
- Developmental learning delays
- Difficulty developing and sustaining friendships
- Minimal eye-contact
- Over or under sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or taste
- Repetitive movements and behaviours
- Attachment to and fixation with unusual interests
- Insufficient impulse control
- Meltdowns in response to small changes or transitions
“Why does my child need an assessment?”
Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder are a requirement for diagnosis and access to certain funding and supports. A comprehensive assessment is designed to gather critical information relating to a child’s development, previous and current levels of functioning, social engagement, and academic performance. Upon completion of the assessment process, a comprehensive report will be provided, in addition to a parent/carer feedback session. Future recommendations and supports will be determined in response to specific client and family needs, including the need for a referral to other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
“What’s included as part of the assessment?”
A referral from a general practitioner is not required for an ASD assessment. The process of assessment involves several components, including:
- Clinical Interview and History Gathering: The psychologist will conduct a clinical interview with the parent/caregiver to gather information about the child’s family and medical history, developmental milestones, social interactions, communication skills, and behavioural patterns.
- Rating Scales: The psychologist will request the parent/caregiver and child’s teacher (if applicable) to complete questionnaires assessing characteristics commonly associated with ASD.
- Standardised Assessment: The psychologist will use a standardised assessment tool specifically designed to aid in the diagnosis of ASD.
- Development and Cognitive Testing: The psychologist will assess the child’s cognitive abilities, language skills, and adaptive functioning via the use of recognised assessment tools, to provide insight into current functional and social capacity.
- Report and Recommendations: Recommendations: As part of the assessment package, a comprehensive report and recommendations are provided. Please note there is a four to six-week turnaround on reports. Report findings will be communicated with parents/caregivers during the feedback session.
- Optional: If further assessment of ADHD for children is warranted, we may recommend that your child undergoes a further one hour of testing using the Test of Everyday Attention for Children, Second Edition (TEA-Ch2). An additional 2 hours at our assessment rates are charged when this occurs to cover 1 hour of testing and 1 hour of scoring/report writing.
Times and Inclusions
Intake Assessment– 1 hour
- TheConner’s Comprehensive Behaviour Assessment (CCBA) will be provided to the child’s teacher and parent for completion (online questionnaire). Upon its completion, the psychologist will determine which assessment package is most appropriate for the child.
- An appointment with the child’s parent/caregiver will occur via phone or video call in response to the CCBA findings, as well as to complete further rating scales and determine the next steps in the assessment process.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment Inclusions
This assessment package has been developed in accordance with diagnostic and funding body requirements. All assessment components in this package are required to provide a conclusive diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
- Session 1: The Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised (ADI-R) – 2 hours
The Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised (ADI-R). The ADI-R is a structured interview that provides the clinician with valuable information about the child’s family history, development, and presenting problems. This appointment is available to be conducted via phone or video call. - Session 2: The Autism Diagnostic and Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) – 1 hour
The psychologist will use the Autism Diagnostic and Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) within the assessment with the child. The ADOS-2 is considered the field’s “gold standard” for collecting standardised and objective information about social communication skills, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. - Session 3: The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) – 2 hours
The psychologist will assess the child’s cognitive abilities, language skills, academic function, adaptive functioning, and executive functioning skills via the use of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) to provide insight into the child’s current functional and social capacity. Findings of the WISC-V inform diagnosis in terms of assigning appropriate specifiers. - Session 4: The Feedback Session – 1 hour
The feedback session will be scheduled 4-6 weeks after the final assessment, where the psychologist will provide parents/caregivers a comprehensive report, and discuss findings and recommendations. This appointment is available to be conducted via phone or video call.
Fee Schedule and Duration
Assessment fees are determined by an estimate of clinical time, for which an hourly rate of $250.00 is applied. Clinical time is subject to vary depending on client needs and will be discussed with families upon intake. A rate of $120 for assessment materials is applied to all cost estimates.
Assessment estimates can be seen below:
Mobile Autism (ASD) Assessment: $2,620
(based on 10 hours of clinical time and assessment materials)
*Note:
- A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.
- An invoice with the total fee will be provided after the last assessment.
Payment must be received before scheduling the feedback session. - Assessments are not covered by Medicare.
- Some psychological services may be eligible for rebates through private health insurance. Please get in touch with your insurer to confirm your eligibility for rebates.
- The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will not fund diagnostic assessments unless it has been directly requested by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Cognitive assessments may be funded in some circumstances and are dependent on your plan. Please contact your local area coordinator before scheduling an assessment to ensure you can claim the assessment fees.
- Should a referral be received from a paediatrician or psychiatrist, four hours of diagnostic assessment is eligible for a rebate. The rebate for each session is $93.35, and can only be applied to standardised assessment and development/cognitive testing. For further information see the Medicare Benefits Schedule(Diagnostic Assessment Plan for Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders).