Autism Assessment Brisbane
Autism, better known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), affects a significant proportion of Australia — according to the Autism Association of Western Australia, 1 in 100 people in Australia are estimated to be on the spectrum, with males being 3.5 more likely than females to be diagnosed. The total number of Australians diagnosed with autism has increased in recent years, with a 25.1% increase from 164,000 individuals in 2015 to 205,200 in 2018.
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that can affect an individual’s ability to communicate and interact socially with others, causing them to frequently engage in repetitive or hyper-focussed behaviour. In some cases, people with autism can also experience differences in their senses, which also contributes to the way they react and feel about their surroundings.
At CFHP, we offer diagnostic autism assessments at our Brisbane psychology clinic to help identify and diagnose autism spectrum disorders in teens and adults. With an accurate diagnosis, individuals on the autism spectrum can get tailored, compassionate, and effective support.
The Process of Getting an Autism Assessment
Initial consultation
An ASD assessment starts with an initial consultation where an ASD psychologist will conduct an interview to understand the challenges or concerns the individual may have. This will help to form a basis for the assessment. In some cases, interviews may also be conducted with the individual’s personal social circle (family and close friends) to gather more information about their social interactions, communication, and overall behaviour.
Assessment sessions
After the initial consultation, our team will arrange for a series of testing sessions as part of the autism assessment process. These sessions usually last about an hour and consist of standardised tests designed to evaluate various aspects of behaviour, communication, and social interaction of the individual. Individuals can expect to attend 2-3 sessions before sufficient information can be gathered to form an accurate diagnosis.
Report and diagnosis
Our ASD psychologists will analyse the results from testing sessions to produce a diagnostic report that includes a formal diagnosis that will aid individuals and their families in understanding and accessing appropriate interventions, support services, and educational resources tailored to specific needs. The results of this report will be discussed in detail with the psychologist to help individuals understand the type of support they need.
Support and treatment
Individuals who have been diagnosed with ASD can receive continued support with CFHP. We have a team of psychologists in Brisbane trained to support ASD and provide individuals with tailored strategies to address challenges faced in daily life or the workplace.
Our Autism Assessment Psychologists
Dr. Atholl Murray
Biyanka Komandur
Dr Delaney Skerrett
Lisa Kunde
Chaminga Dhanapala
How do I know if I should undergo an assessment for autism?
Autism is usually detected during the formative years, but it can also carry on undiagnosed until later in life. You should consider undergoing an assessment for ASD if you experience:
Difficulty with social interaction
If you find it hard to pick up on social cues that may seem obvious to others, make friends or maintain friendships with others, it may be worthwhile undergoing an assessment.
Communication issues
Individuals with ASD can sometimes interpret language literally and find it hard to understand contextual phrases such as idioms, metaphors, or sarcasm. Starting a conversation and staying on topic can also be a point of frustration for those on the spectrum.
Irregularities in sensation
You may find your senses being dulled or over sensitive to certain external stimuli, such as hearing seemingly normal sounds very loudly or noticing minor visual details more intensely. This heightened or reduced sensory perception can make ordinary environments feel overwhelming or strangely dull.
Family history
Research has shown that autism is likely to have a hereditary component. If there have been other members of your family who have been diagnosed with ASD, there is a possibility that you may also be on the spectrum. This alone is usually not cause to undergo an autism assessment, but rather an indication of the need to when suspected symptoms arise.