Frequently asked questions

Early intervention combines practices, programs and therapies to support children in the early years to learn skills and achieve goals.

Some other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, occur among people on the autism spectrum at a higher rate than people not on the autism spectrum. Current statistics show that 3% of Australians have epilepsy, while 5% – 46% of autistic people have some type of epilepsy.

If you feel as though you, your child, or someone you love is on the autism spectrum, it is recommended that you speak with your general practitioner (GP) to start the diagnostic process.

While there are many reasons why a child might experience differences in their development, sometimes, the reason babies and toddlers will have developmental differences from their peers is because they are on the autism spectrum.

Because autism can impact the way a person interprets, responds and interacts to others and their environment, a person on the autism spectrum can sometimes behave in ways that are unexpected to the people around them.

More appropriately referred to as characteristics, occur across two domains: A) Social communication and social interaction; and B) Repetitive or restricted behaviour, interests or activities. They can vary greatly depending on gender, age, cognition and a range of other factors.

Autism can influence the way that a person interprets, responds and interacts to others and the environment around them. This can mean that the behaviours of a person on the autism spectrum can be unexpected to the people around them.

Some autistic individuals have an intellectual disability whilst some have average or above-average intelligence. Often individuals on the autism spectrum show an uneven pattern of skills having areas of particular strength and other areas where support may be required.

Visit our support and services page to find more information about autism support services available at Autism SA.

You can seek an autism diagnosis at any age.

The cost of getting an autism diagnosis varies depending on age, location and approach. The cost of a diagnostic assessment for a child under 18 at Autism SA is $2,000. Currently the spots are full, please check out our Diagnostician directory.

If you have agreed to have your diagnostic information shared with Autism SA, and have completed a multidisciplinary assessment, a Pathways Consultant will be in touch to arrange a Newly Diagnosed Support meeting, either online, over the phone or face to face if desired.

This meeting will give you the opportunity to get answers to the many questions you are likely to have, further discuss your specific circumstances and needs, and find out more about the ways in which Autism SA can support you on your autism journey. There is, however, no obligation to attend a Newly Diagnosed Support meeting.

Your local autism association, a GP referral for public hospital system, or a private provider.

Positive support strategies and practices are generally designed to address skills or goals and include things like: visual supports, video modelling, prompting, reinforcement, and time delay.

Some people on the autism spectrum may need little or no support in living independently, while some may need support. There are a range of accommodation and housing options available, to enable independent living, or living at home, depending on individual needs.

Behavioural practitioners or psychologists can help you to identify the best therapeutic approach for you and/or your child regarding behaviour.

There are many schooling options for children on the autism spectrum. Each educational sector has its own eligibility requirements, which are often based on: the needs of the individual, any co-occurring conditions, additional needs, location, desires and availability.

You can ask the school to explain the options that are available to you, and speak to teachers and health professionals about the best option for your child.

Visit our support and services page to find more information about autism support services available at Autism SA.

There are a large number of support services and support groups for people on the autism spectrum, and their families.

Autism SA has an information website The Spectrum which is an educational resource dedicated to providing autism focused content.

You can also visit the Autism SA “Autism & Diagnosis” section of our website

Significant research is being conducted all over the world into autism including the causes of autism, prevalence, strategies, programs and co-occuring conditions. You can find out more by visiting our Past Research Projects page.

Learn more about autism history and prevalence Autism History and Prevalence

Autism SA has a number of available resources to help you along your journey, which you can visit by clicking the buttons below.

Autism SA offers training for Families & Professionals

Ask an individual how they prefer to be identified. Some people identify as “autistic” while others identify as “on the autism spectrum”.

Some people on the autism spectrum may need little or no support in living independently, while some may need support. There are a range of accommodation and housing options available, to enable independent living, or living at home, depending on individual needs.

Early intervention combines practices, programs and therapies to support children in the early years to learn skills and achieve goals.

There are a range of support services available to assist you, or your child. You can speak to Autism SA’s My Pathways team to find out more about services, programs and supports, the NDIS, or simply to learn more about autism.

There are a large number of support services and support groups for people on the autism spectrum, and their families.

There are a number of support options available to help people on the autism spectrum to find and maintain work if needed. Autism SA can support you on your journey to employment. To learn more, please contact My Pathways on 1300 288 476.

There are many schooling options for children on the autism spectrum. Each educational sector has its own eligibility requirements, which are often based on: the needs of the individual, any co-occurring conditions, additional needs, location, desires and availability.

You can ask the school to explain the options that are available to you, and speak to teachers and health professionals about the best option for your child.

Some other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, occur among people on the autism spectrum at a higher rate than people not on the autism spectrum. Current statistics show that 3% of Australians have epilepsy, while 5% – 46% of autistic people have some type of epilepsy.

Autism is a neurological developmental difference, clinically referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For many people, autism impacts their life significantly, while other autistic people define autism as a different way of thinking.

Autism SA has an information website The Spectrum which is an educational resource dedicated to providing autism focused content.

You can also visit the Autism SA “Autism & Diagnosis” section of our website

Ask an individual how they prefer to be identified. Some people identify as “autistic” while others identify as “on the autism spectrum”.

Significant research is being conducted all over the world into autism including the causes of autism, prevalence, strategies, programs and co-occuring conditions. You can find out more by visiting our Past Research Projects page.

Learn more about autism history and prevalence Autism History and Prevalence

If you feel as though you, your child, or someone you love is on the autism spectrum, it is recommended that you speak with your general practitioner (GP) to start the diagnostic process.

Autism is a neurological developmental difference, not a learning difficulty, however, it can have an impact on a persons ability to learn at the same rate as their peers. Some people with autism may have co-conditions including learning difficulties.

Research has shown that having one person in a family with autism can increase the likelihood of others in the family also being on the autism spectrum, if the cause is genetic.

They are one and the same. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the clinical definition for autism. Some people choose to be referred to as “an autistic person”, while others prefer to be referred to “a person with autism”.

While there are many reasons why a child might experience differences in their development, sometimes, the reason babies and toddlers will have developmental differences from their peers is because they are on the autism spectrum.

Autism is a spectrum, which means that every one person’s experience of autism is different.

Because autism can impact the way a person interprets, responds and interacts to others and their environment, a person on the autism spectrum can sometimes behave in ways that are unexpected to the people around them.

You can’t “outgrow” autism, however early diagnosis, services and supports can help individuals to achieve their goals and live the life they choose.

More appropriately referred to as characteristics, occur across two domains: A) Social communication and social interaction; and B) Repetitive or restricted behaviour, interests or activities. They can vary greatly depending on gender, age, cognition and a range of other factors.

There are many possible genes that researchers have identified as potentially playing a role in the development of autism. Some studies have shown that if there is one person in a family diagnosed on the autism spectrum, it can increase the likelihood of others in the family also being on the autism spectrum but only if the cause is genetic. Other genetic causes such as de nova variations are not directly passed.

Autism can influence the way that a person interprets, responds and interacts to others and the environment around them. This can mean that the behaviours of a person on the autism spectrum can be unexpected to the people around them.

The exact prevalence of autism in Australia and internationally is unknown. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that there were 205,200 autistic Australians in 2018, which is around 1% of the population or 1 in 100.

Autism is a neurological developmental difference, clinically referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For many people, autism impacts their life significantly, while other autistic people define autism as a different way of thinking.

Significant research is being conducted all over the world into the causes of autism. Autism is heterogeneous, meaning there is unlikely to be one single cause for all types of autisms. For many types of autism, a range of genetic causes contribute to a person being autistic, while for other types of autism, the causes are unknown.