Adolescent and Adult Diagnosis
The Specialist Youth Autism Diagnostic Clinic provides multidisciplinary Autism assessments to Western Australian youth from age 13 years, with an upper limit of 30 years of age.
This is a pioneering service dedicated to the specialist assessment of adolescents and young adults. A funding grant currently allows this clinic to provide a limited number of diagnostic assessments at no out of pocket cost to families. This service is provided in addition to the already established pathways for Autism assessment and diagnosis in Western Australia (i.e. through the state public health system, Department of Communities, or private practitioners).
The assessment team consists of a Consultant Psychiatrist working with an experienced multidisciplinary diagnostic team comprising of a Clinical Psychologist and Speech Pathologist, who each have extensive experience in the field of Autism.
We conduct evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to current international best-practice standards, and assessments conducted in the Specialist Youth Autism Diagnostic Clinic are also aligned with the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism in Australia. All assessments include a comprehensive diagnostic report and we also offer post-diagnostic support so that those diagnosed with Autism can access relevant services. Importantly, our team is dedicated to providing a positive, strengths-based, respectful and inclusive experience of assessment.
Our clinic aims to provide assessment to young people who have clear indicators of Autism but are experiencing barriers to access to assessment either because of the length of waitlists in the public system, or disadvantage in access to private assessment. We also consider referrals in terms of suitability for completion within a single day assessment model. In addition, we require a parent or other childhood caregiver with knowledge of early childhood history to be available for the assessment. We further prioritise referrals for young people who are in need of support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to improve their quality of life.
The Autism Association does not currently have appointments for individuals over 30 years of age. However, we have information about how you can access a diagnosis outside of the Association that you can download here.