Where can an Autism assessment be done?

Autism assessments can be done by a government funded service for free. Or you may elect to have the assessment done privately. There is new Medicare funding to enable you to use private specialists for an assessment. Please go to the Medicare link for more information.

Medicare information on the Federal Government Helping Children with Autism Initiative

Click here to download

 

Regional

 

  • CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)

A government-funded service.

Bendigo CAMHS  has an Autism assessment team consisting of a paediatrician, a psychologist, and a speech therapist.  If your child has been identified with developmental concerns specific to Autism,  referral to the service can be arranged through your local GP, Paediatrician, or by self-referral to CAMHS .

Contact:         CAHMS - Ph: 1300 363 788
www.bendigohealth.org.au/Clinical_Services/Psychiatric_Services/Child_and_Adolescent_Mental_Health_Service/index.aspx

 

  • Time for a Future - Centre for Child Development

     A private fee paying service.

    This multi-disciplinary team provides a range of professional services to both children and adolescents with special needs and     their families. Services include:

    • assessment and diagnosis
    • evidence based interventions
    • individual child and family therapy
    • autism parent education and skills training programs
    • cognitive behaviour therapy

      Contact:   56 High St, Woodend
                     Ph: 03 5427 4052

                     www.timeforafuture.com.au

 

Melbourne

  • Melbourne Children’s Clinic

 A private fee-paying service.

This multi-disciplinary Autism assessment team consists of a Paediatrician, a Psychologist, and a Speech Therapist.

Contact:  Melbourne Children's clinic
2/321 Camberwell Rd
Camberwell, 3124
03 9813 5700
Fax 03 9813 5711
Info@melbchildrensclinic.com.au
Www.melbchildrensclinic.com.au

 

    Glen Iris Psychology

    Dr Richard Eisenmayer

    4 Wills Street/Glen Iris, 3146
    28 Myers Street/Geelong

    Telephone (03) 9811 8822 for all appointments
    Fax (03) 9885 2066          

E-mail: richardeisenmajer@glenirispsychology.com.au 

     

Adult and Specialist Assessment Clinics

Private Psychologist

Sharon Groch is a Melbourne based Private Psychologist working with adults in the area of Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis and therapy. Clinic addresses listed below:

110 Centre Dandenong Rd. Dingley   Ph :  95582155

Level 3, 691 Burke Rd. Camberwell   Ph:   9882 3244

     

       This is an outline of  the procedure at Bendigo CAMHS. The process for private assessments may differ slightly.

    Before the Assessment

    The Coordinator of the Autism Diagnostic Assessment Service will contact you by phone for a “screening interview” – this enables the Coordinator to determine what assessments need to be completed. You will require: A recent cognitive or intellectual assessment administered by a psychologist. Then they may consult:

    • A speech and language assessment conducted by a speech pathologist.
    • Early intervention therapists
    • Student service personnel who visit schools
    • Private practitioners

     

    The Autism Assessment

    Now your child is ready for an Autism-specific assessment. If Bendigo CAMHS  are doing the assessment, it will be held at the Autism Assessment Centre. This centre is located at 8 Wallace Avenue, Flora Hill. The assessment involves a specific session with your child and an extensive interview with the parents/caregivers.  In keeping with what is considered best practice for diagnosing autism disorders, the Autism assessment is conducted by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of:

    • a speech pathologist
    • a psychologist
    • a paediatrician.

    This team will review various checklists and rating scales to make a diagnosis.

     

    After the Assessment

    Following the assessment parents receive the team’s diagnosis in the form of a report. Then parents can consult further with the team Coordinator to develop an understanding of the consequences of their child's diagnosis. Several months after you receive a diagnosis, there is generally a further session offered to the parents.  This provides the opportunity for parents to:

    • have further queries addressed
    • learn more about Autism or Asperger's Syndrome
    • discuss strategies for managing behaviours 

    The Coordinator can also visit your child’s school and meet with teachers to provide support and advice about Autism or Asperger's Syndrome.