Autism SA Diagnostics
The Autism SA Diagnostics team provides autism-specific diagnostic assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Our diagnostic service is built on the belief that assessments should be collaborative, thoughtful, and clinically meaningful. We know that individuals and families are often coming to us seeking answers that can shape their lives, their supports, and their futures. We hold this responsibility with care and respect and recognise the importance of getting it right.
Our approach builds on neurodiversity-affirming principles while maintaining high-quality, evidence-based practice and necessary reporting requirements. Every assessment component is selected for a clear reason and is guided by strong clinical reasoning. While we assess for autism specifically, our process includes a thorough differential diagnosis, meaning we aim to identify alternative explanations where relevant to ensure each individual’s profile is fully understood. We remain flexible and responsive in how assessments are delivered, adapting to sensory, communication, and emotional needs so individuals can participate authentically.
To support a thorough service, we also offer additional assessments. This may include exploration of cognitive strengths and difficulties, intellectual disability, or specific learning disorders such as dyslexia. These components are always recommended thoughtfully, and we work collaboratively with individuals and families to ensure transparency around how this information informs diagnostic outcomes and support planning.
Lived experience is a core component of our process. We create space for individuals and families to share their stories in their own words, and we take time to understand each person’s history, interests, preferences, and daily challenges. We hope that when an individual reads their report, they can see themselves, their goals, and their needs reflected in the writing. Assessments are collaborative and responsive, ensuring people feel heard, comfortable, and supported throughout.
Our aim is to provide clarity, validation, and practical guidance. Whether confirming a diagnosis or identifying alternative pathways of support, we want individuals and families to leave the process feeling understood and empowered with a pathway forward.
Request for servicesWho Can Access an Autism Assessment?
Autism assessments are available for:
• Young children aged 2 years and above
• School-aged children
• Adolescents
• Adults
While signs of autism may be noticeable in early childhood, differences can sometimes become more apparent later, particularly as social and academic demands increase. Many adults also seek assessment after recognising lifelong social or sensory differences.
How to Access an Assessment
To access an assessment at Autism SA, complete a Request for Services form and select Autism Diagnostic Assessment.
Request for services
Once this has been received, a member of our team will contact you to discuss the assessment process and next steps. Please note that you do not need a referral from a medical professional to access an assessment.
Current Wait Times
Autism SA has recently reviewed and relaunched their diagnostics services. As a result we have a shortened waiting time and are currently booking assessments within 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is autism and how is it diagnosed?
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong developmental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences the world. It involves a complex pattern of behaviours and challenges that can vary from person to person. In Australia, professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) to identify and diagnose autism. According to the DSM-5-TR, Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by:
• Difficulties with social interaction and communication
• Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests
There is no biological test for autism, and no single behaviour confirms or rules out an autism diagnosis. Instead, clinicians look at patterns of behaviour and developmental differences across multiple settings. The assessment carefully examines social communication skills, patterns of behaviour, and the presence of restricted or repetitive interests.
Because autism presents differently in every individual, no single assessment tool can diagnose autism in isolation. Assessment requirements vary depending on age, presentation, and referral needs. Processes also differ between children and adults.
To ensure diagnostic accuracy, we use multiple internationally recognised, evidence-based tools and gather information from a range of sources, which may include parents, teachers, and other professionals. This helps clinicians build a comprehensive understanding of strengths, needs, and developmental profile.
What does an autism assessment involve?
A comprehensive autism assessment may include:
• A detailed clinical interview with parents or carers
• A developmental history review
• Direct observational assessment
• Standardised diagnostic tools
• Questionnaires completed by caregivers, teachers, or significant others
• Feedback session to discuss outcomes and recommendations
• Comprehensive written report
When clinically indicated to support a thorough differential diagnosis, additional areas such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Global Developmental Delay may be explored. This may involve the use of additional assessment tools or components integrated into the diagnostic process.
Common assessment tools include:
• Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2)
• Monterio Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS-2)
• Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2)
• Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3)
What types of diagnostic assessments are available?
We offer two diagnostic assessment pathways depending on age, presentation, and referral needs:
Single-Practitioner Assessment
Conducted by a single Psychologist. This pathway is generally suitable when:
• A comprehensive developmental history is available
• The individual is an adult
Dual-Disciplinary Assessment
Conducted jointly by a Psychologist and a Speech Pathologist, within a single appointment. This pathway is recommended when there are:
• Complex communication or language concerns
• Younger children requiring multidisciplinary input
• Diagnostic uncertainty requiring broader assessment
What additional assessments are available?
Cognitive Assessment
A cognitive assessment (also known as intelligence testing, psychometric testing, or IQ testing) measures an individual’s thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. These skills are collectively referred to as cognitive functioning. Cognitive assessments help identify an individual’s areas of strengths and difficulty to provide a clear understanding of their learning profile.
Cognitive assessments are often recommended when there are concerns about learning, academic progress, or developmental differences. They can also be used to identify individuals who are intellectually gifted.
When compared against an adaptive functioning measure, such at the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, a cognitive assessment can be used to diagnose an Intellectual Disability.
We primarily administer the following standardised assessments:
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
• Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV)
• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition (WAIS-5)
A cognitive assessment can be completed in addition to a diagnostic assessment or as a standalone assessment. It takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete.
Educational Assessment
Educational assessments (also referred to as a learning or psychoeducational assessments) measure an individual’s academic ability or school-based learning. This includes areas such as oral language, basic reading, reading comprehension and fluency, written expression, mathematics and maths fluency. We primarily use the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition (WIAT-III) to assess academic strengths and difficulties across these domains.
Educational assessments are commonly recommended when there are concerns about academic progress, literacy or numeracy development, or when a student is not performing in line with their learning potential.
When educational assessment results are interpreted alongside cognitive testing (such as the WISC-V) and other relevant clinical information, psychologists can diagnose Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), including:
• Dyslexia (reading)
• Dysgraphia (writing)
• Dyscalculia (mathematics)
An educational assessment can be completed in addition to a diagnostic assessment or as a standalone assessment. It takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete.
How much does an assessment cost?
- The cost of a diagnostic assessment for a child under 18 at Autism SA is $2,000.
- The cost of a diagnostic assessment for an adult 18 years or older at Autism SA varies depending on the pathway. A single practitioner assessment is $1500. A dual-disciplinary assessment is $2000.
- To add a cognitive or educational component to an existing diagnostic assessment is an additional $900.
- A standalone cognitive or educational assessment is $1250.Autism SA is not registered with Medicare and is unable to process Medicare rebates.
What happens before the assessment?
Prior to the assessment, you will be asked to complete several questionnaires and provide any previous assessment or intervention reports for the clinician to review.
It is important these are returned as soon as possible. If you are finding it challenging to complete the questionnaires, please contact an Autism SA staff member who can support you. Questionnaires may include:
• Diagnostic assessment intake information form
• Teacher/Educator observation form
• Adult observation form
• Social Responsiveness Scale
• Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale
What happens on the day of the assessment?
On arrival, you will come into the building and check in with Reception. You will be provided with an access information pack for further directions. If you have not completed the pre-assessment questionnaires you will be asked to do this when you have arrived as the assessment is unable to proceed without appropriate consent and documentation.
Assessments typically start at 10am and go for up to 3 hours, followed by a 1-hour feedback session. We recommend bringing food and drinks, particularly for younger children.
During a dual clinician assessment, the psychologist will talk to the parent, caregiver, or significant other about the person being assessed to better understand their developmental history, strengths and difficulties, and behavioural presentation. The speech pathologist will spend structured time interacting with the individual being assessed. This may involve:
• Play-based activities (for younger children)
• Conversation and social interaction tasks
• Problem-solving or storytelling activities
• Emotion recognition or perspective-taking tasks
During the single clinician adult assessment, the psychologist will engage with the individual being assessed to conduct a semi-structured interview using the appropriate diagnostic tool. Some people like to bring a support person to the assessment with them. They may choose to have this person join them for some or all of the assessment or stay in the waiting room until they are finished. Not everyone brings a support person.
We recognise that assessments can be tiring. Breaks are offered as needed, and sessions are paced to suit the individual’s attention, sensory needs, and comfort. We invite individuals to bring any items that they need to feel comfortable. If there are specific accommodations that would help you or your child feel more comfortable on the day, please let us know in advance.
What happens in the feedback session?
Following a short break for the clinicians to complete any required scoring or interpretation of results a feedback session will be completed. Our focus is on ensuring you feel informed, supported, and clear about the next steps. Whether or not a diagnosis is made, the post-assessment process is designed to communicate the results meaningfully and guide recommendations. Feedback sessions will:
• Explain the assessment findings
• Confirm whether diagnostic criteria are met
• Discuss strengths and support needs
• Provide recommendations and detail the next steps
• Allow you to ask any questions you might have
When developmentally appropriate, feedback may also be provided directly to the child or young person. This is tailored to their age and understanding and aims to support positive self-identity. Discussions may include their diagnosis, strengths, differences, sensory needs, and ways to support wellbeing.
What if a diagnosis is not made?
If the diagnostic criteria are not met and an autism diagnosis is not made the assessment will still provide valuable insight and guidance. Within our assessments we aim to provide a quality differential diagnosis, meaning we aim to identify alternative explanations where relevant and help the individual and their family to find answers even if that answer is not autism. Often this will include the psychologist making an alternative diagnosis (e.g. intellectual disability, ADHD etc.).
In some cases, further assessment outside the scope of the diagnostic appointment may be recommended. Where appropriate, provisional diagnoses or referrals to other professionals may be provided to support ongoing understanding and care.
When will I receive the report and what does it include?
Following the assessment, a comprehensive written report is provided within 6 weeks. Reports are written to support understanding across settings and can be shared (with consent) with schools, therapists, NDIS providers, or medical professionals. This report includes:
• Diagnostic findings
• Clinical formulation
• Individual strengths and differences
• Recommendations to help support the individual
What happens after the assessment is complete?
Once you have received your report and have asked any questions the diagnostics team has finished their role. We aim to ensure families and individuals leave the process with clarity, validation, and a practical pathway forward. So, while our job may be finished you are not alone.
This is where additional teams may step in to support the individual and their family. This may include:
• Post diagnosis supports
• Pre and post NDIS planning support
• Therapy services
Easy Read Version
Autism SA Diagnostics
We do autism assessments
We help people find out if they are autistic.
We assess:
• Children (2 years and older)
• Teenagers
• Adults
What we look at
We look at how you:
• Talk and communicate
• Play or socialise
• Think and learn
• Feel and behave
• Experience the world
Everyone is different.
There is no one way to be autistic.
Sometimes we look at other things too.
This may include:
• Thinking skills
• Learning skills
• Intellectual disability
• Dyslexia
We will tell you if this is needed.
What happens in the assessment
You will meet with clinicians.
You may:
• Talk together
• Answer questions
• Do activities
• Play (for children)
• Fill in forms
Parents or carers may also talk with us.
How long it takes
The assessment takes about 3 hours.
You can have breaks.
You can bring:
• Food
• Drinks
• Comfort items
Feedback
We will talk to you about the results.
We will explain:
• If you are autistic
• Your strengths
• Your support needs
• What can help
Written report
You will get a report.
It explains:
• Results
• Strengths
• Differences
• Recommendations
You can share this report with:
• School
• Therapists
• NDIS
Our goal
We want you to leave with:
• Answers
• Understanding
• Support
• A plan
You are not alone.
We are here to help.
