Comprehensive autism assessments for children, adolescents and adults at our psychology clinic in Werribee (Melbourne’s west). Telehealth is available for some components where appropriate.
Total fee: $2,000
Phone: 03 9123 1266
Email: enquiries@growthminded.com.au
Or submit an enquiry below and we will advise next steps and current availability.
Who provides the assessment
Autism assessments at Growth Minded Psychology are conducted by Julian O’Sullivan (Psychologist) and are tailored to the person being assessed and the referral question.
Why an autism assessment can help
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect social communication, relationships, education, work functioning, and day-to-day life. A careful assessment can help clarify whether ASD is present and provide practical recommendations for supports across settings (home, school, work and social environments).
Tools we may use: ADOS‑2 and ADI‑R (where clinically appropriate)
Depending on age and what information is available, your assessment may include a combination of:
ADOS‑2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition)
A structured observation session with the person being assessed.
- With children, this is primarily delivered through interactive, play-based activities.
- With verbal adolescents and adults, the session remains structured and interactive (age-appropriate) and typically includes conversational components and interview-style questions alongside tasks.
ADI‑R (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised)
A structured interview focused on early developmental history and current behaviours relevant to ASD criteria. Where possible, it is completed with a parent/caregiver. If that is not available (particularly in adult assessments), Julian will gather developmental history through interview with the adult and other sources where possible.
Not every assessment requires every tool. Julian will recommend an approach based on the diagnostic question, age, and the information that can realistically be obtained.
Who this assessment is for
People enquire about autism assessment when they (or their child) experience things such as:
- longstanding social communication differences
- difficulty navigating friendships, relationships, or social expectations
- sensory sensitivities or strong need for routine/predictability
- difficulty coping with change
- challenges at school, work, or in daily functioning that may relate to ASD traits
- questions about whether lifelong patterns may reflect autism
We assess children, adolescents and adults.
What to expect (assessment process)
Your assessment is designed to be thorough and respectful. The exact structure varies depending on age and circumstances, but typically involves the following:
Step 1 — Interview / developmental history (Session 1)
Children: This is typically a detailed caregiver interview and developmental history session (often using the ADI‑R). Please allow up to 3–4+ hours.
It is usually best that young children do not attend this session (please arrange childcare if needed).
Adults: The first session involves an interview and developmental history. Where possible and appropriate, this is ideally completed with a parent/caregiver using the ADI‑R. If a parent/caregiver is not available, Julian will complete the interview with the adult being assessed and seek developmental history from other sources where possible (e.g., records/reports, or partner/family input with consent).
Step 2 — Direct assessment (ADOS‑2 session)
A structured observation session with the person being assessed (play-based for children; interactive + conversational components for verbal adolescents/adults).
Parents/caregivers: For younger children, a parent/caregiver is generally required to remain available during testing and may be involved at certain points.
Step 3 — Additional information (if needed and with consent)
Julian may contact other relevant people (e.g., educators/teachers) or review prior reports/records to better understand functioning across settings. This can help clarify whether traits impact the person’s ability to adapt across environments (which is relevant to DSM‑5 criteria).
Step 4 — Scoring, interpretation and report writing
Julian will integrate all available information, score assessment components, and prepare a comprehensive written report. This typically takes around 2–6 weeks after the final in-clinic assessment session (often 2–5 weeks).
Step 5 — Feedback session
A feedback appointment is provided to discuss findings, answer questions, and outline recommendations and next steps.
Fees and timeframes
Total fee: $2,000
Report timeframe: typically 2–6 weeks after the final assessment session at the clinic.
Medicare (under 18s): Medicare rebates may be available for the in-person assessment and feedback sessions where eligible, but not for the written report component. Please contact reception if you would like help clarifying eligibility pathways.
Areas we serve (Melbourne West and surrounding regions)
Our clinic is based in Werribee (Wyndham) and we regularly see clients from Melbourne’s west and nearby regions, including:
- Wyndham: Werribee, Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Williams Landing (and surrounding suburbs)
- Hobsons Bay: Altona, Altona Meadows, Newport, Williamstown (and surrounding suburbs)
- Brimbank: Sunshine, St Albans, Deer Park (and surrounding suburbs)
- City of Melton: Melton, Caroline Springs, Taylors Hill (and surrounding suburbs). See our Melton autism assessment information here.
- Moorabool / Bacchus Marsh area
- Some clients also travel from Greater Geelong (Geelong and surrounding areas)
If you’re unsure whether our location is suitable, please contact us and we can advise.
Clients from Point Cook
Many clients travel from Point Cook for autism assessments at our Werribee clinic. If you’re specifically looking for Point Cook information, you can view our Point Cook page here:
Autism assessment information for Point Cook
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book an autism assessment?
Call 03 9123 1266, email enquiries@growthminded.com.au, or submit an enquiry form and we will advise current availability and next steps.
Do you assess adults?
Yes. We assess adults as well as children and adolescents. Where possible, we prefer to include developmental history from a parent/caregiver; if that is not available, we complete an interview with the adult and use other sources where possible.
How many appointments are involved?
Most assessments involve:
- an interview/developmental history session
- an ADOS‑2 session
- report writing time
- a feedback session
Do I need a GP referral?
Referrals can be helpful but are not always required. If you are seeking Medicare rebates for eligible appointments (under 18s), specific referral pathways may apply. Please contact reception to clarify what applies to your situation.
How should I prepare my child?
Ensure your child is well-rested and comfortable. You can explain they’ll meet a psychologist who will do some activities/games and ask questions to understand how they learn and communicate.
Can parents be present?
Parents/caregivers are typically involved in the interview session and may be required to remain available during the ADOS‑2 for younger children.
Is funding available?
Coverage varies by insurer/funder. Medicare rebates may apply to some components for eligible under‑18s, but not to the report-writing component.
Enquire about an autism assessment
Growth Minded Psychology (Werribee)
Phone: 03 9123 1266
Fax: 03 7047 9933
Email: enquiries@growthminded.com.au
Address: 267 Princes Highway, Werribee VIC 3030
Areas we serve (Melbourne West and surrounding regions)
Our clinic is based in Werribee (Wyndham) and we regularly see clients from Melbourne’s west and nearby regions.
Wyndham (Werribee and surrounding suburbs)
- Werribee, Werribee South, Werribee Junction
- Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina
- Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes, Williams Landing
- Laverton, Laverton North, Little River
Hobsons Bay
- Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North
- Newport, Williamstown, Williamstown North
- Seaholme, Spotswood, South Kingsville, Brooklyn
Brimbank
- Sunshine, St Albans, Deer Park (and surrounding suburbs)
City of Melton
- Melton, Caroline Springs (and surrounding suburbs) — see our City of Melton page for details.
Moorabool / Bacchus Marsh area
- Bacchus Marsh and surrounding areas (separate page link if you have it)
Greater Geelong (some clients travel)
- Geelong and surrounding areas
Not sure if your suburb is included? Please call or enquire and we’ll confirm.