Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
“Autism is more than a diagnosis, it can be central to a person’s identity and sense of self”
What is Autism?
Autism is a condition that affects how the brain develops. People with autism think and interact with others and the world in a unique way. They may have different social and communication skills, often repeat certain behaviors, have strong interests in specific topics, and experience the senses (like sound or touch) differently.
How is Autism assessed?
At Youthrive, autism is assessed by trained allied health professionals in line with the National Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia. Assessments are conducted by either an experienced psychologist in conjunction with your paediatrician/psychiatrist or though our multidisciplinary assessment clinic. If you feel that your child may be autistic it can be helpful to talk to your GP or paediatrician first and ask for a referral to our clinic for futher assessment.
During an initial session, we will gather background information and history about your child and discuss a plan for a comprehensive needs assessment.
Please bring along any referrals or reports regarding your child. We will explore if the differences you are observing in your child are attributable to autism or to other genetic/developmental or psychosocial factors, which may also be co-occuring. We take a complete and supportive approach to understanding your child’s strengths and challenges, using information from you, family members, health professionals, and through standard assessments and observations of your child at the clinic, school, or community setting. If needed, we can also complete a diagnostic evaluation.
We will share the assessment results with you both in a written report and in a face-to-face meeting. This gives you a chance to ask any questions you might have. The written report can be shared with other health professionals and support people in your child’s life. We will also provide recommendations for support and discuss them with you to help your family move forward.
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