Autism Assessments for Teens
Why we focus on assessments for teens
Autism assessment for high-school-aged teenagers requires a developmentally appropriate and individualised approach. Some teenagers reach high school before autism is identified. Their presentation, history and support needs differ, so the assessment process is tailored to the young person and their circumstances. For example, it may be because:
They didn’t have high support needs in primary school and ‘flew under the radar’.
Their pattern of strengths and challenges are less ‘typical’. This is particularly true for autistic girls - in the past autism in girls was poorly researched and poorly understood.
As the academic expectations of school and the challenges of the social environment increase in high-school, autistic kids’ difficulties become more obvious and can no longer be ignored.
Autistic burnout can strike in high school because the efforts the autistic teenager makes to mask and blend in are exhausting and take their toll.
Perhaps the young person was having other difficulties (such as trauma or anxiety or ADHD) and this overshadowed their underlying autism.
The assessment considers information from the teenager, parents or caregivers and, where appropriate and with consent, school staff or treating practitioners.
Young people are included in the feedback process in a way that is appropriate to their age and circumstances, so they can hear the findings, ask questions and discuss possible next steps.
FAQ
-
We gather information in a few different ways, to make sure we have a good understanding of the teenager. These include:
An interview and assessment session with the teenager, which may include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, or ADOS-2, where clinically appropriate.
A detailed interview with parents
Teen and parents will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires.
We’ll review any documentation such as school reports and previous professional reports.
We may ask to get information from your school/teachers.
The specific steps taken during the assessment are flexible and depend on the complexity of your situation.
-
The report explains the assessment findings and conclusions, including whether diagnostic criteria were met. It describes identified strengths and support needs and may include recommendations relevant to the teenager’s circumstances.
-
The total cost of the assessment typically varies between $2800 and $3080. Please note that this approximation is the cost before any eligible rebates are applied, and the complexity of your situation will influence the overall total cost.
The assessment usually involves 5-6 hours of face-to-face assessment and feedback which costs $280 per hour. The exact number of face-to-face hours may vary depending on your needs. There is also a fixed cost for the indirect work and report writing of $1400. These two costs make up your total.
-
If concerns about ADHD arise during the autism assessment, the psychologist will discuss them during the feedback session. The practice generally recommends that families discuss formal ADHD assessment with an appropriately qualified medical practitioner, such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist. A medical practitioner can also discuss whether medication is clinically appropriate. Individual circumstances vary.