The assessment service is provided for people across Tasmania under 18 years of age.

Although the service is based in Hobart, the team travels around the State conducting regular assessment clinics in various locations.

There is no charge for this service. This service is a joint initiative between the Department of Communities Tasmania and Department of Education.

Referrals are accepted from a paediatrician, child/adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist.

• Referral from a paediatrician, child/adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist (Electronic Form/Printable Form)
• Completion of the parent/guardian pack including signed consent to undertake the autism assessment
• A paediatrician’s letter outlining social or behavioural concerns, including the results of any relevant medical or genetic tests if available
• Completion of a teacher/day carer’s questionnaire (Electronic Form/Printable Form)
• Copy of the most recent, if available:
  • cognitive, developmental or adaptive assessment
  • recent speech pathology assessment
  • relevant reports; for example, Occupational Therapy assessments

The assessment process focuses on answering one central question only: Does the child have an autism spectrum disorder? The assessment does not provide a more general picture of the child’s development. It provides a detailed picture of the child’s diagnostic profile.

We then provide a report including treatment and programming suggestions and recommendations for referral to appropriate agencies and service providers where required.

We usually see the child or young person for a play based or social assessment. The team uses the Autism Diagnostic Assessment Schedule (ADOS) and it generally lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. Children who are non-verbal or have limited language are accompanied by their parents or guardians. Children or young people with fluent language attend the assessment by themselves. During the play based or social assessment, the clinician will work with the child or young person in a range of various activities and games. They will also have the opportunity to have a chat with the child. Those with fluent language will be asked about their social relationships.

After the play based or social assessment, the clinician will conduct an in depth parent interview – it seeks to establish whether there is evidence of an autism spectrum disorder. The interview usually lasts about 2 – 2 ½ hours. Given both the nature of the questions and the length of the interview, it is strongly recommended the child or young person is not present during this part of the assessment.

The interview will establish parental concerns. It also determines various developmental milestones such as when the child learned to walk and talk. The majority of the interview concentrates on the social difficulties the child or young person is experiencing with their families, their peers and others.

There will be many questions asking the parent to think specifically about when their child was 4-5 years old. It may be helpful to look at photographs of when your child was at this stage, particularly when they were interacting with family and friends. The photographs are not required at the interview.

After the parent interview, the clinician may provide you with immediate feedback on the outcome of the diagnostic process or they may contact other people who know the child or young person now or when they were younger. On occasion, they may conduct an observation at school or day care.

A feedback consultation is provided to the parents on the outcome of the diagnostic assessment and intervention and treatment suggestions are discussed. The feedback session usually lasts about an hour. At the feedback session, parents are asked to sign a consent form for diagnostic reports to be distributed according to their wishes.

Once the parents have been provided with feedback, a comprehensive report of the assessment is provided to the parents/guardian, the referrer, paediatrician, school and other relevant services according to parent/guardian consent. On receiving the diagnostic report, each parent is asked to complete a feedback form on the process.

Referrer

• Tasmanian Autism Spectrum Diagnostic Assessment Service Referral Form (Electronic/Printable version)

Parent/ Guardian/ Carer

• Parent / Guardian Pack

Teacher / service provider

• Teacher/ service provider questionnaire (Electronic/Printable version)

Any questions? Feel free to contact us at:

Telephone: (03) 6166 1100

Fax: (03) 6173 0439

Postal Address: GPO Box 169, HOBART TAS 7001

Email: autismassessment@decyp.tas.gov.au