Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism usually becomes apparent before a child is three years old. It is characterised by impaired social interaction and social communication, as well as restricted interests and stereotyped behaviour. Autism impacts on a child’s development in a number of key areas including
impaired ability to communicate or to understand spoken language.
difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships.
difficulty reading the intentions, motivations or reactions of others.
impaired ability to share interests and to engage with others in a conventional manner.
Children with autism have a restricted and repetitive range of behaviour. Interests may be unusual in their intensity or focus. For example, the child may show a strong interest in parts of toys such as spinning the wheels of a toy car. Likewise, the child may line-up toys rather than play with them in an imaginative way.
Most children with autism show a strong preference for routine and predictability. They may insist on activities that follow a particular order and resist any activity with which they are not familiar. They may also strongly resist change.
Many people with autism show an unusual response to sensory stimuli: Some everyday noises can be experienced as overwhelming; and busy environments can be experienced as stressful. Also, some tastes, smells and textures can be experienced as intolerable. (Source https://healthywa.wa.gov.au ).
The term ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’ (ASD) now describes all levels of autism, from those individuals requiring support (level 1), those requiring substantial support (level 2) and those more severely affected and requiring very substantial support (level 3).
About 1 in 150 Australians are affected by autism. Girls have a tendency to mask their symptoms better than boys. The symptoms are present in infancy, but may not be noticeable until the age of two or three years. In some people the diagnosis comes much later.
People with autism can learn the skills needed to function independently or in a supportive environment. Research shows that the earlier a child is diagnosed and intervention implemented, the more likely it is they’ll develop the communication, social and life skills needed for a good quality of life.
Some adults with autistic like characteristics remain undiagnosed. It is not uncommon for some of these adults to undertake the assessment process to determine if they are autistic.
This Practice provides both assessment and therapeutic services to children and adults with ASD.
Our assessments are generally broken down into 4x 50+ minute appointments. Sometimes assessments can be quite complex and some additional time may be required however your clinician will discuss this with you should it be the case. Following your final assessment appointment, a comprehensive written report will be completed which takes 8-10 weeks.
Please contact us for further information regarding fees and current wait times.