Autism Assessments

Eligible for those 18 years or older, an autism assessment consists of one 3-hour session via Telehealth. You will be asked to complete some questionnaires before the session/our first meeting. During the session, you will be asked a series of questions and this tends to feel like a conversation — we’ll talk about your history, presentation and what led you to explore your neurotype.

Due to common co-occurrence of the autistic and ADHD neurotypes, the autism assessment will also screen for ADHD, unless you have already been diagnosed as such.

Autism assessment with comprehensive report

This option is suitable for those seeking formal identification of autism with a thorough report.

This service includes a diagnostic interview, comprehensive report and formal feedback session. You will meet with me twice in total. The diagnostic session will take up to three hours, and the feedback session will be another 50 minutes. Prior to meeting with me, you will be sent a range of online assessments and forms to complete that are part of the assessment process. These need to be returned to me at least one to two weeks before the diagnostic assessment.

The fee for this service is $1,950, which covers my time for scoring and interpreting assessment tools and data, preparing for the sessions, hosting the sessions and writing the report.

A report will be sent to you 6-8 weeks after your assessment, at which time we will also schedule a feedback session.

Please note that I cannot guarantee my diagnostic reports will be sufficient for NDIS funding. The NDIS determines eligibility based on an individual's 'level of functioning', among other factors. An individual’s ‘level of functioning’ is determined by how much a person is being actively disabled by their environment, and the practical impacts of disability for them. Applications for NDIS funding generally require a functional assessment in addition to a "diagnosis." The NDIS wants evidence that funding is what they call, "reasonable and necessary" and they do not consider a diagnosis alone to be enough to justify funding.

Please also note that I am happy to add a letter of functional capacity (in the scope of psychology) to assessments, on a case-by-case basis. This, as well as requests for the completion of forms or other documents, are billed pro-rata at the standard consultation rate. It can take several hours to write these letters and complete forms, so it can become pricey, and in the case of NDIS applications, I still cannot guarantee that my report and documentation will obtain entry to the NDIS.

Autism assessment with letter and no report

This option is ideal for those who want formal clarification of their neurotype but do not require a comprehensive report and do not plan to seek any formal support (such as NDIS).

The assessment process is as above but does not include the comprehensive report or formal feedback session. This option instead includes a two-page summary letter with a diagnostic outcome and brief recommendations.

The fee for this option is $1,450, which covers my time for scoring and interpreting assessment tools and data, preparing for the sessions, hosting the sessions and writing the summary.

A summary letter will be sent two weeks after your assessment.

Combined autism and ADHD assessment with comprehensive report

This option is ideal for those seeking formal identification of autism and ADHD with a thorough report but who do not plan to seek ADHD medication.*

This assessment includes a diagnostic interview, comprehensive report and formal feedback session. Given the additional assessment requirements, the diagnostic session for a combined autism/ADHD assessment can take up to four or even five hours (which can be divided into two sessions if needed), and the feedback session will be another 50 minutes in a separate appointment. Prior to meeting with me, you will be sent a range of online assessments and forms to complete that are part of the assessment process. These need to be returned to me at least one to two weeks before the diagnostic assessment.

The fee for this service is $2,500, which covers my time scoring and interpreting assessment tools, preparing for the sessions, hosting the sessions, gathering your historical data and writing the report.

A report will be sent to you 6-8 weeks after your assessment, at which time we will also schedule a feedback session.

*Please note that an ADHD assessment by a psychologist will not allow you to obtain ADHD medication. If you are considering medication it is best to seek an ADHD assessment through a qualified psychiatrist, who can then explore medication options with you. Please also note that the NDIS does not provide support for ADHD.

How an Autism Assessment Works

  • Step One

    Let’s get started!

    Please email me to explore a possible time for an assessment, and we can book you in.

    Feel free to contact me if you have any questions I’ve not answered here on my website.

  • Step Two

    Two weeks before your assessment

    Complete and return the online forms and questionnaires, and email me with any additional information or reports you have.

    At this time, you’ll need to pay your assessment fee.

  • Step Three

    Day of your assessment

    We’ll meet virtually via Telehealth for your diagnostic session, which can take a few hours.

    I’ll get to know you, and we’ll chat about you and your experiences.

  • Step Four

    Following the assessment

    I’ll busily review all the information gathered and write your report/summary letter.

    I’ll be in touch if there is anything I’d like to clarify or if I have any extra questions.

  • Step Five

    Two weeks after your assessment

    If you had chosen to receive a summary letter, you’ll receive it around this time.

    As this option does not include a feedback session, this concludes the service.

  • Step Six

    6-8 weeks after your assessment

    If you have chosen to receive a comprehensive report, you’ll receive it at this time.

    In addition, I’ll contact you to book a time for your feedback session.

  • Step Seven

    Last but not least

    We’ll meet virtually via Telehealth for a feedback session regarding the comprehensive report.

    We’ll go through your report and discuss the outcome, and I’ll answer any questions you might have.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Please email me to explore booking an assessment.

  • You do not need a referral to have an autism or ADHD assessment. In fact, many, if not most, adults tend to be self-referred!

  • Unfortunately, no. To engage in an assessment with me you must be 18 years or older.

  • Assessments cannot be provided over the phone, as I need to be able to see you during the assessment to make an accurate diagnosis. You will need to have access to a computer with a webcam and have a stable internet connection.

  • Not necessarily. The NDIS currently states that it will consider support for individuals diagnosed with autism with a severity of Level 2 (requiring substantial support) or Level 3 (requiring very substantial support). Therefore, if you receive an Autism diagnosis at a Level 1, you are unlikely to receive NDIS support. Further, even with a Level 2 or Level 3 diagnosis, the NDIS determines eligibility based on an individual's “level of functioning”, among other factors. An individual’s level of functioning is determined by how much a person is being actively disabled by their environment, and the practical impacts of disability for them. Applications for NDIS funding generally require a functional assessment in addition to a "diagnosis" (even if it is a Level 2 or 3 diagnosis). The NDIS wants evidence that funding is what they call, "reasonable and necessary" and they do not consider a diagnosis alone to be enough to justify funding.

  • If you believe you might be autistic and ADHD (an AuDHDer) and would like to consider medication, then I would suggest that you undertake an autism assessment with me and seek an ADHD assessment with a qualified psychiatrist. You are, of course welcome to go for a combined autism and ADHD assessment with me (or a psychiatrist); however, you would still need to seek a psychiatrist ADHD assessment to pursue medication. Please email me if you would like any further clarification.

Payment Policy

Payment for assessments must be completed before, or at the time of returning your online questionnaires and forms. I am happy to discuss payment plans on a case-by-case basis if you wish to pay the fee in instalments; however, the full assessment fee will still need to be paid before or at the time of returning your online questionnaires and forms, otherwise the assessment cannot go ahead.

Medicare rebates do not apply for adult autism assessment sessions (Medicare doesn't allow this), and private health funds vary in their coverage of assessments. I suggest that you contact your health fund to enquire about your options.