Autism / ASD

Diagnosis and Treatment

Do you suspect you have ASD?

Do you need therapeutic support to manage ASD symptoms?

A comprehensive ASD assessment by a Psychologist or Neuropsychologist ensures accurate diagnoses, aiding the development of tailored treatment plans, educational strategies and interventions to help children and adults reach their full potential.

Getting Started is Simple

1. Make an Appointment

Discuss your questions, goals, and challenges with a Psychologist to determine whether an assessment is the best option.

Make an Appointment >

2. Start ASD Assessment

Attend 2 to 3 assessment sessions. Receive a comprehensive report with a personalised treatment plan to enhance your daily life and wellbeing.

3. Benefits and Next Steps

Ongoing therapeutic sessions and support from a psychologist may be recommended to help you improve your wellbeing and achieve your goals.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

ASD Brisbane Psychologists

Dr Emily Hindman

Clinical Neuropsychologist

ASD Assessment and Treatment

About Dr Emily Hindman >

Morgwn Paris

Clinical Psychologist

ASD Assessment and Treatment

More About Morgwn >

Dr Jane Austin

Clinical Psychologist

ASD Assessment

About Dr Jane Austin >

ASD Treatment and Management

People with ASD have unique experiences influenced by different factors. Therefore, treatment programs are tailored to each individual and their needs to achieve the best possible outcomes and results. Various treatment and management options are available for people diagnosed with ASD. These treatments can be broken down into different categories.

Psychological

Psychological treatment can help people with ASD focus on changing behaviours by understanding what happens before and after the behaviour. CBT Therapy or Cognitive-Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based psychological approach often used by psychologists, focusing on learning the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Psychological treatment can also help people with ASD cope with co-existing issues such as anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
Developmental

Developmental approaches focus on enhancing language and physical skills. These are typically delivered through language and speech therapy and occupational therapy. Speech therapy can help people with ASD develop and enhance communication and social skills. On the other hand, occupational therapy can assist with sensory motor development as well as developing independence.
Educational

Educational programs are offered by organisations such as Autism Spectrum Australia. They can teach language and social skills and provide support to the person with autism as well as their parents or caregivers.
Pharmacological

There are no medications to treat ASD. Medication, however, can help alleviate some of the co-occurring symptoms or conditions people with ASD may experience. Some examples include managing energy levels, attention issues, anxiety or depression, sleep issues or other medical conditions. It is essential to work with a doctor or psychiatrist with experience in treating people with ASD, as they can better help them and their families monitor medication progress and possible reactions.

Other treatments may be available. Ensuring that the treatments you choose are evidence-based is important.

More about ASD

What is ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a lifelong developmental disorder that affects how people interact with the world around them. About 1 in 150 Australians has ASD. Autism is not a mental health problem or an intellectual disability, although some people with ASD may also have those problems. Additionally, different people with ASD will have different experiences and challenges.

Although autism is usually diagnosed during infancy, it may not be diagnosed until later in life. A late diagnosis of autism can negatively affect an individual’s mental health, education, development and social life. Therefore, the earlier a person with autism is diagnosed, the earlier they can receive the treatment and support they need to help them develop communication, social, and life skills to function independently and have a good quality of life.

ASD Indicators

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience challenges in the following two areas:

social communication and interaction with others
restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests.

Kids experiencing autism may show the following symptoms:

difficulty interacting and communicating with others
narrow interests, for example, about specific toys
repetitive behaviour, such as making movements like body-rocking or hand-flapping

Autistic children may also be under or over-sensitive. They can be easily stressed or upset by specific sounds and only eat certain foods.

Autism Awareness Australia notes there are some signs commonly reported by adults before recognising they may have autism, such as:

Feeling as if they did not fit in,
Having difficulty ‘reading between the lines’ or taking things literally
Feeling highly sensitive to the environment
Appearing blunt or direct in conversation
Feeling like an alien or outsider, that they were born in the wrong era
Feeling they have missed out on receiving the ‘handbook’ of social expectations.

Is it worth adding some signs in adults, such as:

speech and language challenges
intellectual disability
sleep problems
attention problems
hyperactivity
epilepsy
anxiety
depression
challenges with fine and gross motor skills.

What are the benefits of an ASD Assessment and Diagnosis?

Pursuing an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis is a significant first step to getting the support you need for a better quality of life. Diagnosis can bring a sense of confidence and relief by enabling a better understanding of yourself. Diagnosis can also allow you to access financial and practical support. For example, some people may be able to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You may also qualify for mental health services funding through Medicare and support in your workplace or place of study.

If your doctor suspects you have autism, they will refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist to confirm the diagnosis. ASD assessment and diagnosis are best conducted by psychiatrists or psychologists with appropriate training and familiarity with autism.

The assessment process can involve the following:

Interviews with individuals who know the person from a variety of perspectives
Observation of the person in different settings or inquiring about the person’s characteristics across a variety of settings
Family, school and other settings’ relevant history
Evidence-based screening tools.

Your psychiatrist or psychologist may use several standardised screening and assessment tools to supplement their clinical assessment, such as the Autism Observation Schedule 2 and the Autism Diagnostic Interview Schedule Revised. Other cognitive tests and assessments may also be administered.

A diagnosis of autism will include a classification based on the level of support you need. The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) classifies Autism Spectrum Disorder into the following levels:

Level 1 – Requires support
Level 2 – Requires substantial support
Level 3 – Requires very substantial support.

Funding for People with ASD

While the NDIS provides funding for people with ASD, not everyone with ASD is eligible. NDIS assesses the level of support you require to determine whether you are eligible. NDIS participants receive a personalised NDIS funding plan to help them fund the necessary support and services. To find out whether you’re eligible or request access, phone NDIS on 1800 800 110 or visit their website https://www.ndis.gov.au

More info: Accessing NDIS Psychologist Services >