Autism is assessed by health and allied health professionals who have undertaken additional training in autism, or sometimes other co-occurring developmental conditions. Depending on a person’s age, autism presentation and co-occurring conditions, people may see one or more of the following:
A specialist doctor with additional training in child and youth health and development.
A GP will refer children and young people to a paediatrician.
Some paediatricians will diagnose autism when it is clear. If not, they will lead a consensus team to gather information to decide whether it is autism or not.
Paediatricians often complete a comprehensive developmental and medical assessment, which may include:
A medical doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
They can prescribe medications, order imaging and use a range of medical and psychological approaches to treat mental health conditions.
Some psychiatrists will diagnose autism when it is clear. If not, they will lead a consensus team to gather information to decide whether it is autism or not.
Psychiatrists may be involved to assist with the diagnosis and management of other cooccurring conditions, such as ADHD or complex mental health conditions.
A specialist who is trained in human behaviour, thinking and emotional processes.
Psychologists can use assessments to diagnose mental health and some developmental conditions.
Psychologists with specific training in autism use standardised diagnostic tools to assess for autism.
Some psychologists with specific endorsements can lead a consensus team if a diagnosis is not clear.
Psychologists may also screen and diagnose other co-occurring conditions, such as intellectual disability, and anxiety disorders.
They diagnose and treat communication, language, social, literacy and swallowing differences.
Speech pathologists will assess communication, including speech, and social understanding as part of an autism assessment.
Some speech pathologists may have undertaken additional training to conduct autism assessments.
For Autistic people who have difficulties with eating and swallowing, a speech pathologist may assist with assessments and support.
Occupational therapists work with people to perform daily living tasks. This may be due to disability, chronic health or mental health conditions.
Some occupational therapists will specialise in paediatrics; others will work with adults, or in mental health.
Occupational therapists may provide supporting information on sensory processing differences, and daily living skills.
Some occupational therapists may have undertaken additional training to conduct autism assessments.
Some Autistic people may require an activities of daily living assessment, driving assessments or require assessments related fine motor skills, such as handwriting.
Neurodiversity-affirming or neuro-affirming approaches to assessment and support recognise and respect all ways of thinking. They view autism and other neurodevelopmental differences as part of human diversity that should be respected. These approaches identify a person’s strengths, support needs, and internalised experiences. Neuro-affirming approaches are collaborative and use respectful language during the assessment process, including in reports.
Trauma-informed care is an approach used by health and allied health practitioners to ensure care is safe, respectful and supportive. This approach can be useful in situations where the person has experienced trauma. In many cases, adults seeking an autism assessment may be screened for trauma. The principals of trauma-informed care include making the person feel safe, building trust, and provides a space for choice, collaboration and empowerment.
In autism assessments, a trauma-informed approach can help ensure the process is comfortable and appropriate, particularly for adults who may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or have experienced previous trauma.
To locate psychologists and psychiatrists, you can use Find a Psychologist or Find a Psychiatrist.
You will need a referral from your GP if you see a psychiatrist.
If you are seeking an assessment for a specific purpose, please confirm the suitability of assessing clinicians and the report they will produce. There are many reasons why people seek an autism assessment. Some of them are accessing NDIS funding, employment supports and understanding their strengths and challenges.