Autism Assessments

Nat has over 20 years’ experience supporting autistic children across education and speech pathology settings. She is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia and the WA Autism Diagnosticians’ Forum (WAADF), with additional training and experience in neurodiversity-affirming autism assessment, including training in the administration of the MIGDAS-2.

Nat works in collaboration with a clinical psychologist to provide a comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessment and report. She can also complete the speech pathology component of an autism assessment to contribute to a multi-disciplinary consensus following an external paediatrician, psychiatrist or clinical psychologist assessment.

Assessment Guide Download

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Clinical Psychology + Speech Pathology Consensus Team Assessment

For a comprehensive diagnostic assessment with Nat and Jen King (clinical psychologist), click here.

Speech Pathology Only Assessment

For children who have been assessed or completing the assessment process with an external clinical or educational psychologist, paediatrician or psychiatrist, click here.

Discovering more about your child’s brain type can be a positive and empowering journey. Through the assessment process, Nat will explore and bring to light the patterns that make your child the unique and beautiful person they are.

The Autism assessment process is designed to be safe, affirming, and centred on each individual child, allowing their authentic strengths, traits, style and needs to be seen and understood.

The assessment includes the MIGDAS-2*, a neurodiversity-affirming, sensory and interest based approach, that supports a deep understanding of each child’s social, sensory, communication, and thinking patterns through an individualised and child led process. This is supplemented by additional parent and teacher reporting tools and, if helpful, school observation. The valuable information gathered is then used to address to DSM-5's** diagnostic criteria.

*MIGDAS-2 - Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, 2nd Edition

** DSM-5 - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition

Step 1: Parent / caregiver Interview

The process begins with an initial parent / caregiver interview session via telehealth. The session provides an opportunity to explore your child’s developmental history, current strengths, needs, and everyday experiences. You are invited to share your observations, questions, and insights, helping to shape a rich understanding of your child’s story.

This conversation also gathers valuable information about your child’s interests, sensory preferences, and social and communication style, which informs and personalises the approach to the next stage of the process.

Step 2: Child Led session

Your child’s assessment session is held in your home and designed to be child-led, playful, and affirming, including sensory tools, toys, objects of interest, and opportunities for movement, to support authentic engagement. Nat comes prepared and ready to deep dive into your child's special interests and favourite topics of conversation.

Using the MIGDAS-2 approach, Nat observes and interacts with your child in ways that honour their natural communication style and ways of being, rather than relying on rigid or structured testing formats.

Nat understands that autism is often internalised and can present in ways that differ from mainstream stereotypes. She is experienced at recognising high-masking

presentations that are often misunderstood or missed, and strives to create a process where children and their parents feel deeply seen, heard, and supported.

Step 3: Parent feedback Session

Following the assessment sessions, all information is analysed and organised then mapped to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and used to build a comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming diagnostic report.

Our final session focuses on exploring your child’s unique social, sensory, communication, and thinking patterns, building a rich understanding of their neurotype.

Families are supported to feel confident in taking the next steps in exploring and celebrating their child’s neurotype in a neuroaffirming and strengths-based way.

Additions to the Assessment Process

School Observation

Where appropriate, school observations can be included as part of the assessment process. Observing your child in their familiar school environment provides valuable insight into their social and communication style with peers and adults, and helps build a fuller understanding of how they navigate sensory, cognitive, and relational demands in everyday settings.

1 hour

Language Assessment

In some cases, an additional language assessment may be recommended to help build a fuller understanding of your child's communication profile. This ensures that any language needs are clearly identified and recommendations are individualised for your child.

Fees and Rebates

A diagnostic autism assessment encompasses direct assessment time, comprehensive clinical analysis, and the development of a detailed diagnostic report.

1 hour

Beyond the face-to-face sessions, extensive time is devoted to reviewing developmental history, interviews, observations, and assessment data to build a nuanced understanding of your child’s neurotype and to create a thorough, individualised report that reflects their unique social, sensory, communication, and thinking patterns.

SERVICE fee breakdown

Parent / Caregiver interview

Child led assessment session

Clinical Analysis and Report Writing

Parent feedback session

$1,440

This fee covers the speech pathology component of the autism assessment only. The clinical psychologist and/or paediatrician fees are separate and will be charged in addition to this as part of a multidisciplinary assessment.

At times a language assessment and / or school observation may be recommended and charged at an additional rate. This will be discussed prior to assessment booking.

Medicare rebate

Families may be eligible for Medicare rebates under MBS Item 82005 for autism assessment in children and young adults aged under 25 years. To claim, your child will require a referral from their paediatrician. A detailed quote for services can be provided prior to commencing the assessment so that families can contact Medicare to confirm the rebate amount applicable to their circumstances.

Private health insurance

If you have Extras cover for Speech Pathology, you may be eligible for a rebate towards some components of your assessment. Coverage and rebate amounts vary between health funds and policies, so I recommend contacting your insurer before commencing the assessment.