Autism Assessment & Diagnosis Sydney

No single test or method exists to diagnose autism, instead, this will require multiple steps.

We begin with an initial consultation to gather behavioural and family history. Then if a formal assessment is deemed necessary, we employ standardised autism tests such as ADI-R, ADOS-2, and ABAS-3 – conducted across separate sessions. This testing includes a clinical interview, an autism assessment, and an extensive report from our psychologists, who interpret the results to provide tailored guidance.

For more information on the process, see this resource from autismawareness.com.au.

We have also put together a guide for caregivers. Click here to learn more about autism spectrum testing specific to Australia.

Our comprehensive autism assessments involve a 4-part process, typically taking 10 hours. A meticulous approach is crucial to understanding the individual and providing an accurate diagnosis. The New Vision Psychology ASD diagnosis process includes a 60-minute initial consultation, a clinical interview, and an autism assessment. It finishes with evaluating and preparing an extensive report from our psychologists tailored to the individual to provide actionable feedback and guidance.

As part of the autism assessment process, our clinical and registered psychologists employ standardised tests such as ADOS-2, ABAS-3, and ADI-R, combined with behavioural history and observations. The entire process is broken over multiple days to provide an accurate diagnosis, as the tests can be lengthy and tiring. The four sessions are broken down as follows:

1st Session: Initial Consultation

1 hour with caregiver/parents only

2nd Session: Clinical Interview (ADI-R)

Duration: 2 hours with caregiver/parent only

3rd Session: Autism Assessment (ADOS-2)

1 hour with caregiver/parents and child

4th Session: Psychologist Report

6-7 hours of assessment scoring, results interpretation and report writing from our psychologists

Yes. This is done on a case-by-case basis, depending on your age and circumstance. Please call us at 1300 001 778 to discuss your situation with our clinical intake team.

Our clinical and registered psychologists conduct detailed interviews to evaluate behavioural and medical history, communication patterns, and current functioning. The outcome of our autism assessment provides valuable and actionable insights to enhance the quality of life for each individual. We firmly believe in a person-focused approach that recognises each individual’s unique strengths and challenges, allowing them to thrive past their diagnosis.  

A referral is not required. However, we usually find that a teacher, GP, speech pathologist, or paediatrician will refer someone for autism assessment or ADHD assessment.

Out of the total cost of $2,600, you can claim $280.05 from Medicare with a referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician (if the child is under 13).

New Vision Psychology is one of Sydney’s leading psychology practices, providing best-in-class autism assessments and diagnoses to Australian families. With decades of experience, we understand the autism spectrum and conduct thorough assessments across our five locations in Sydney. Our clinical and registered psychologists leverage internationally recognised, standardised diagnostic tools, including ABAS-3, ADOS-2, ADI-R, and MIGDAS to evaluate behavioural history and current functioning, and provide diagnosis and recommendations.

At New Vision Psychology, we have various psychologists who are experienced in autism assessments and can typically accommodate you within 1 to 2 weeks for an initial session. We won’t put you on a long waitlist for this vital testing. We are also a registered NDIS provider, and our autism assessments offer actionable insights, enabling a better quality of life for the individual diagnosed and their parents or caregivers. With competitive pricing and Medicare rebates, we offer convenient and accessible autism diagnosis and screening to Australian families.

Provisional psychologists are interns who are undergoing training and being supervised by fully registered psychologists. They have studied for 4 or 5 years, and require 1 or 2 more years of supervised practice, before they may receive their full registration from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Provisional psychologists are not eligible to provide a Medicare rebate.

Registered or general psychologists have received their full registration from AHPRA. They have completed at least 6 years of studies and training. More than 60% of Australia’s psychologists are registered psychologists. Psychologists with a general registration apply their skills across a broad range of professional settings. They assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of clients and areas of concern. They also conduct psychological assessments and write psychological reports. They do not have an endorsement in a specific area of practice. Registered psychologists are eligible to provide a Medicare rebate of $93.35 per session under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative.

Clinical psychologists have an endorsement in the area of clinical psychology. They have completed at least 8 years of studies and training. Clinical psychologists design and implement treatment strategies in clinical settings such as primary care, psychiatric and rehabilitation settings. In private practice, clinical and registered psychologists often do similar types of work. Clinical psychologists are eligible to provide a Medicare rebate of $137.05 per session under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative.

At New Vision Psychology, all our psychologists are registered or clinical psychologists. They meet high standards in education, training, supervised practice, ethics and ongoing professional development. They are also able to provide Medicare rebates. Whether you’re seeing a clinical or registered psychologist, you should expect the same quality of care, ethical behaviour and standard of practice.