Autism Assessment Support
If you have been wondering whether autism explains what you are seeing in your child, we can help you gather clear, careful evidence. Our occupational therapists complete the assessment work that sits alongside a formal diagnostic process, using standardised tools and structured observation across the settings where your child actually lives their life.
What Pre-Diagnostic Assessment Means
Occupational therapists do not issue autism diagnoses. In Australia a formal autism diagnosis is made by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist, usually drawing on evidence from several professionals. Our role is to contribute rigorous, well-documented occupational therapy evidence to that process, and to give you something useful in the meantime: a clear picture of your child's sensory, motor, play, social and daily-living profile, with practical strategies you can start using straight away.
Who This Is For
Families who have noticed differences in the way their child communicates, plays, connects or responds to the sensory world, and who want to understand what is going on. Some families come to us before they have seen a paediatrician, some come with a referral in hand, and some come after a diagnosis to understand what support their child needs. All three are welcome, and no referral is needed to start with us.
What We Look At
We gather information from more than one source, because a child behaves differently at home, at school and in a clinic room. That usually means a parent interview, standardised assessment tools, structured clinical observation, input from teachers or educators where you consent to it, and a look at how your child manages the ordinary demands of their day: dressing, eating, playing, transitions, noise, routines and relationships.
What You Receive
A written report in plain language that sets out what we assessed, what we found, and what we recommend. We explain it to you in a feedback conversation rather than emailing a document and leaving you to decode it. Where a formal diagnostic assessment is the sensible next step, the report is written so it can be used by the paediatrician or psychologist who takes that step, and we help you understand the pathway.
How Long It Takes
It depends on your child and on how much information we need to gather. Most assessments involve more than one session, plus time for school or kindy observation where that is useful, and time for us to write carefully. Our team will give you a realistic timeframe when you book, and we will tell you if we think a different pathway would serve you better.
Funding
Assessment work can be privately funded, and in some circumstances supported through NDIS funding or a Medicare care plan arranged by your GP or paediatrician. Funding rules change, so we talk it through with each family individually rather than publishing figures that go out of date. See our fees and funding page for the current pathways.
What Our Autism Assessment Work Includes
Assessment is not about labelling your child. It is about understanding them clearly enough to make good decisions. Whatever the outcome, you will not be left to make sense of it on your own.
Where to Next
This page is general information, not individual clinical advice, and it is not a diagnosis. Our occupational therapists provide assessment, therapy and reports; formal diagnoses of autism and ADHD are made by medical practitioners and psychologists. See our clinical disclaimer.
Questions Parents Ask Us
Can an occupational therapist diagnose autism?+
No. A formal autism diagnosis in Queensland is made by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist. Occupational therapists contribute assessment evidence to that process, and can provide therapy and strategies regardless of whether a diagnosis is ever pursued.
Do we need a referral first?+
Not to start with us. A referral is needed for some funding pathways, and for the formal diagnostic step, and we will explain what applies to your family.
Does my child need a diagnosis to get support?+
No. Support is based on what your child finds hard, not on a label. Many of the families we work with are receiving therapy while a diagnostic question is still open.
What ages do you assess?+
We work with children from early childhood through to the teenage years.
Ready to take the first step?
Book a free, no-pressure guidance call. We'll talk through what you're noticing and what the next step could look like. No referral is needed to get started.