Autism Diagnostic Assessments

Autism Diagnostic Assessments

Assessment Squared specialises in providing objective autism diagnostic assessments to determine whether a child or adult is on the autism spectrum.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that encompasses both social and behavioural difficulties.

Although everyone with ASD experiences similar symptoms, each presentation is unique.

An autism diagnostic assessment is a major step towards determining what support may be needed for a child at school or beyond, but also helps others to better understand why a child may behave differently to other children and how best to respond to, and support, them.

Assessment Squared provides autism diagnostic assessment services in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

When should I book an autism diagnostic assessment?

Parents often ask, ‘how do I know if my child has Autism Spectrum Disorder?’

While no two children will exhibit the same symptoms, there are a number of signs a parent or carer can look out for.

This includes struggling in areas such as imaginative and pretend play, engaging socially with same-age peers, making appropriate eye contact and understanding emotions in themselves and others.

A child may also exhibit specific sensory preferences, such as being troubled by loud noises or visually stimulating environments, only eating a narrow range of food textures or types, being fussy with clothing and shoes, responding differently to temperature changes or pain, and discomfort with internal sensations related to hunger or toileting.

Excessive tantrums with no obvious trigger, or in response to very minor situations, are another sign.

It is important to remember other disorders are commonly associated with ASD, including ADHD, anxiety, intellectual disability, speech disorders and learning difficulties.

An autism diagnostic assessment provides clarity and puts parents and carers on the path to obtaining the support their child needs.

What’s involved?

An autism diagnostic assessment gathers information about a child’s health and development to determine whether they meet the criteria for ASD.

Each assessment typically involves taking detailed and specific historical information, administering a social and behavioural evaluation (ADOS-2), and standardised questionnaires to clarify a child’s unique pattern of difficulties.

Assessment Squared offers holistic and collaborative assessments, which open the door to support services.