Support For
Parents
I know how hard it is to raise and care for a child with autism. I am a parent of an adult with autism and an intellectual disability as well as a psychologist.
I get you!
Support For Adults With Autism
I've done many assessments for adults as well as children and many for women. It can be a validating experience to understand yourself .
Autism
Assessment
FAQs below.
Please scroll down to find answers to common questions.
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Maybe you're wondering if you or someone you love may have autism. I offer diagnosis using the most reliable measures available to date and following the national guidelines for the diagnosis of autism. You can find the guidelines here.​
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Assessment + Report: $2100
+ ADHD Assessment
$500
Sensory Assessment: 2 sessions.
Included with an autism assessment. Included with an autism assessment.
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What happens at an assessment
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Great information at the link above from The Spectrum
Click on the PDF for an adult autism screen you can do yourself.
What's Included In An Assessment
Adults​
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Detailed in-depth report, usually 20+ pages. It will include your developmental history relevant to autism, behaviours specifically at 4-5 years old, current functioning and challenges.
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Summary letter if that's all you need for some situations and don't want to share all your private developmental information.
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Specific personalised NDIS recommendations of supports that would be helpful, 'reasonable and necessary. As a consumer and provider of services, I understand NDIS inside out.
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The WHODAS 2.0 (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule) is a worldwide disability measure developed by The World Health Organisation, that will support your NDIS application. You can take look at it here.
- DASS - Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. You can find it here.
- ADHD screen if appropriate.
- Sensory Assessment if indicated.
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If an ADHD assessment is required it can be done in the same report for the additional fee of $500.
An ADHD assessment alone is $1150.
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Children
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Detailed in-depth report, usually 20+ pages. It will include your child's developmental history relevant to autism, behaviours specifically at 4-5 years old, current functioning and challenges.
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Summary letter if that's all you need for some situations and don't want to share all your child's private developmental information.
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Specific personalised NDIS recommendations of supports that would be helpful, 'reasonable and necessary. As a consumer and provider of services, I understand NDIS inside out.
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Vineland - Adaptive Behaviour Assessment
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ADHD screen if appropriate.
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Sensory Assessment if required
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If an ADHD assessment is required it can be done in the same report for the additional fee of $500.
An ADHD assessment alone is $1150.
FAQs for assessments
Medicare Rebate information:
No Medicare rebates apply. This is a private assessment.
Which assessment do you use?
I use the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised). It is one of the gold standard assessment tools available. The questions focus on what the child/person was doing aged 4-5 years old. Adults can usually answer the questions for themselves.
What ages can you assess?
5 years old to adult.
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Is it accepted by the NDIS?
Yes. NDIS may requires the diagnosis to be supported by a psychiatrist for adults, and for children, a paediatrician or child psychiatrist and a speech pathologist but this is not always the case. Submit the application when you receive the report. If NDIS want more information they will request it. NDIS supports Level 2 and 3 Autism.
Can it be done over zoom?
Yes. Assessments are using zoom.
Why does it cost so much?
Read this blog post here.
How long to get the report?
Usually 2 weeks.
How do I pay?
Half the amount is paid as a deposit at the time of booking to secure your appointment. The balance is paid 48 hours before the assessment. Payments are by bank deposit.
Do I need to see anybody else?
Yes. You may also need to see a paediatrician or psychiatrist and possibly a speech therapist if you want to access the NDIS. Submit the application and of NDIS require further information they will ask for it. If it's just for your own interest then you don't need anyone else to write you a report and do an assessment.
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From the NDIS website:
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You can find my book on Amazon here!
I've found having a child with autism has been really hard. I've often felt like a failure - like I'm fighting a losing battle. Homelife has felt like a battleground. Parenting isn't at all what I expected! My recent research found that 31% of mothers of children with autism experience PTSD because of the challenging behaviours of their child. You can find my research here.
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At the same time, as my understanding of autism has grown over the years, so has my compassion for my son. I wonder what it is like for him to get through each day not understanding what is going for him or others around him.
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Through life experience of over 30 years parenting and living with someone with autism, and eight years of full-time study to become a psychologist I have a rich insight and understanding of autism.
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Autism is tough on everyone! The person with autism, the people who love and care for them, siblings, and the services and institutions like schools and workplaces that try to support and accommodate people.
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If you need support on your journey, whether you're a carer or someone living with autism/who is autistic, at Sunshine Psychology you'll find compassion, understanding, experience and expertise.
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