Autism Assessments
Let’s talk about assessment…
Autism assessments with me are available for anyone 18 and older. You'll complete some forms and questionnaires first, then we meet for one 3-hour telehealth session (or a little more, if you select a dual assessment option - you’ll see it below).
During our session, we talk about you - your life, your experiences, what's led you to wonder if you're autistic. It's genuinely a conversation, not a clinical interview with a clipboard (though I will indeed have my notepad). I'm getting to know you and understanding how autism shows up for you.
And because autism and ADHD commonly overlap, my assessments screen for both (unless you've already been diagnosed with ADHD).
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.
Autism Assessment with SUMMARY LETTER
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
This option is ideal for those seeking formal identification of autism and ADHD who DO NOT plan to seek ADHD medication.*
Two options available below.
Option with Comprehensive Report
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.
Option with Summary Letter
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 service is $2000 which covers my time scoring and interpreting assessment tools, preparing for the sessions, hosting the sessions, gathering your historical data and writing your summary letter.
A summary letter will be sent two weeks after your assessment.
*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
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Step 1
Getting Started…
Reach out and let me know you're interested in assessment. We'll talk about what you're looking for, find a time that works, and I'll answer any questions you have along the way.
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Step 2
Once You’re Booked In…
I'll send you forms and questionnaires after we book (forms first, then questionnaires), this way you have plenty of time to complete them without feeling rushed. Once those are done, I'll send an invoice. Pay whenever works for you, just as long as it's before our assessment interview.
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Step 3
Assessment Day…
We'll meet via telehealth for your diagnostic interview - it takes a few hours. We'll talk about you, your life, and your experiences. I'm getting to know you and understanding how autism/ADHD shows up for you. It's a conversation, not a checklist.
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Step 4
After The Assessment…
I'll take everything we talked about, review all the information you provided, and write your assessment report (or letter). If I need to clarify anything or have extra questions along the way, I'll be in touch.
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Step 5
Your Summary Letter Arrives…
If you chose the summary letter option, it'll be with you about two weeks after we meet. This option doesn't include a feedback session, so this wraps things up - but reach out if you have questions after reading through it.
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Step 6
Your Report & Feedback Session…
If you chose the comprehensive report option, you'll receive it 6-8 weeks after your assessment. I'll be in touch to book a time for your feedback session - that's where we go through the report together and talk about what it all means for you.
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Step 7
Making Sense of It All…
We'll meet via telehealth for your feedback session. I'll walk you through your comprehensive report, explain the results, and we'll talk about what this all means for you. Ask any questions - this session is all about making sure you understand and feel supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Please email me to explore booking an assessment.
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No, you do not need a referral for an autism or ADHD assessment with me. In fact many, if not most, adults tend to be self-referred!
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Unfortunately, no. For an assessment with me you must be 18 years or older.
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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.
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Unfortunately no. While I would LOVE to provide services to women in the USA and Canada, I cannot due to insurance restrictions. If you live outside of Australia, but are NOT based in the USA or Canada, feel free to reach out!
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Unfortunately, no. There's no Medicare rebate for autism assessments. If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you might be able to claim something back - it's worth checking with your provider.
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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.
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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.
You'll need to pay your assessment fee before our diagnostic interview. If paying in full isn't doable right now, reach out and we can discuss a payment plan - I'm flexible. Just note that the full amount needs to be settled before we meet for the assessment.
Unfortunately, Medicare doesn't cover autism assessments with private psychologists. If you have private health insurance with psychology or allied health cover, check with them - you might be able to claim a partial rebate.