Welcome to your safe space
Autism Assessments
"So I was told I was too social to be autistic. I was told I was too empathic to be autistic. I was told I was too female to be autistic. I was told I wasn’t autistic enough to be autistic."
- Hannah Gadsby
Adult Autism Assessments
Discover your true self in a safe and affirming space
My approach is deeply rooted in empathy, compassion, and a keen curiosity about each individual’s unique experience. I aim to provide a warm and collaborative environment where your story can unfold with support and understanding.
My passion lies in supporting people who often go 'undiagnosed' due to historical diagnostic frameworks and sociocultural stereotypes. Together, we will explore your neurotype through a transparent process, ensuring that you feel seen and validated. This process is about empowering you to understand yourself better and thrive in your authenticity.
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I aim for assessments to also be relaxed.
My expertise also allows me to assess those who have been previously diagnosed with conditions such as Borderline Personality Disorder, GAD, social anxiety, C-PTSD, etc.
I love doing assessments- I feel that a true understanding of oneself is a key to thriving in life. ​​​​​
What are the benefits of an autism assessment?
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Insight and validation
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Better mental health
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Identify strengths to leverage
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Connection to your neurokin
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Adjustments and support (at work, uni/TAFE, with loved ones)
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Self compassion.
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What does an autism assessment for an adult involve?
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A wide range of tools are used to ensure the process is reliable and valid
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Tools include questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, observations, review of collateral and the collection of data from your loved ones (if available)
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The semi-structured interview tool we use is highly regarded- the ‘MIGDAS-2'
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The sessions are done via videoconferencing using Zoom.
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Feel free to have a support person, pet, and favourite fidget toy with you
Can I use this to apply for NDIS funding?
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Some clients use my standard 'diagnostic report' to submit to the NDIS (along with their own impact statement, other letters, or maybe a full FCA from an OT). Some clients to ask me to add an extra section in their diagnostic report on their psychological functional impacts, and what supports they want to get funded by the NDIS. The choice is yours. I have experience in writing autism assessment reports for NDIS submissions-I've had many hours of supervision with NDIS Advocates, and have had many reports accepted by the NDIA. I can't guarantee that you're get funding though, as this is something that is out of my control.
How an Autism Assessment works
Please email us with your mobile and a time to ring, or just send a email. We respond very quickly!
Complete online questionnaires, and email any reports you might have.
We email loved ones (‘informants’) a questionnaire to complete.
Join me for a 2 hour chat, also known as a 'discovery session'.
We'll email you the report, and you're welcome to suggest changes required.
Fees, information & booking
Who do you assess? ​
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Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to see me. I specialise in internalised and 'high-masked' autistic presentations, and those who are intellectually gifted (2e/3e/'smarty pants'). Male, female, AFAB, AMAB, people who identify as cats, other creatures, and 'non-people' and so on are all very welcome!
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What is the cost of an assessment?
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One million dollars (Dr Evil voice). No, not really- the cost for an Autism assessment is $2100, which includes a full diagnostic report of around 40 pages.​
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Can I get a Medicare rebate for an autism assessment?
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Medicare rebates are available for individuals under 25 years when referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
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The referral must be for a "complex neurodevelopmental assessment". You can get back around $400.
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Why can't I get a Medicare rebate for an autism assessment if I'm over 25?
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Medicare rebates are sadly not available for individuals over 25 years- this is a Medicare rule, and not my own rule. It's a crap rule, I agree.
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What about private health rebates?
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I've never seen them pay for this. Some private heath funds might offer a rebate? Please ask your health fund to see if this is possible. I don't have item codes for you to use sorry.
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When do I pay for my assessment? ​
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We require that you pay a $500 deposit (that comes off the total) within 24 hours of booking in your assessment time.
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We then ask for full payment 7 days prior to your assessment time. Brie (my admin) does a lot of admin work prior to your session, and I read all of your test results, informant data, and so on, before your assessment.
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Why do I have to pay a $500 deposit?​
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Psychological assessments have the highest rate of cancellations. The $500 deposit is not an additional fee, but taken off the total- we have had to introduce this to ensure we get clients who are ready and committed to do this assessment, otherwise it gets stressful for us.
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How can I pay for my assessment?​
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You can use bank transfer, or pay via credit card.
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What about NDIS funding?
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​I'm a clinical psychologist, and so the NDIS accept many of my reports (yay for me!)
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It is beneficial to include tailored functional impacts in the report too (otherwise, your chances of getting funding is reduced- check out my blog).
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If you would like a list of detailed functional impacts, list of what you want to ask the NDIS for, and WHODAS data, this is an extra $750. It's added as an extra section in your report, or as a seperate report (we can discuss options).
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You many instead want to get an OT to do a full FCA for you, or just use my report as is. I understand the NDIS very well myself.
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What about the DSP?​
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I charge an additional $310 for a letter to access the DSP, as I need to gather additional relevant data- please look at my FAQ on DSP applications.
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Do I need a referral for an autism assessment?
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No, you do not need a doctor's referral for an autism assessment.
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When are autism assessments done?
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I can offer assessment times on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the morning (9am) and/or afternoon (2pm), so we are sure to find a time that suits you.
​​​​​Where are autism assessments done?
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All assessments are 100% on-line. I live in Brisbane, and only offer therapy in person in Brisbane at my home clinic.
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​​Do you offer combined autism and ADHD assessments?
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Yes! If you think you may be both, you may prefer to choose a combined autism and ADHD assessment. However, I strongly prefer that clients see a psychiatrist instead for the ADHD part.
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What happens before my session?
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Once you have selected a date and time that suits you, my admin assistant (Brie) will email an invoice to pay the $500 deposit and 4 forms (a client intake form, service agreement form, AI tool consent form, and consent to liaise with others form). Forms take max 5 minutes.
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Once the deposit is paid and 4 forms have been done, Brie will then send an email with:
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URLs to tests
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History and assessment form (your expectations, goals, anything to make it easier for you, questions about your living situation, physical and mental health, family, developmental milestones, education, employment)
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MIGDAS form (stims, spins, sensory, routines, communication, social, emotional, burnout profile).
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Zoom link to join
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We send loads of reminders and texts with your zoom link, date and time as well- we have you covered!
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We give you loads of time to do these tests- you'll need a couple of weeks.. probably allow 2-3 hours for the whole thing minimum. ​​​​
This is too much- I feel overwhelmed!
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I want this to be accessible for you. If it's too much, just rock up on the day, and let's chat. If you struggle to type, send me voice memos. If you have stuff already written, send me that instead.
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I HATE questionnaires!
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I hate them too. Questionnaire suck for autistic folk- as a collective, I think the majority of us hate them!
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If you don't want to do them, you don't have to.
I can't get an 'informant'... what do I do?
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Hey- don't worry! I get it. Many folk struggle to find someone..it's so common that our parents, family, etc, can't provide helpful data because:
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Your parent thinks there is "nothing wrong" with my child, etc
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Due to trauma, you're estranged from your parent
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They think of 'Rainman' or toy trains when they think of autism
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They have passed away, or not able to fill them out (I see lots of women and AFAB folk in their 40s, 50s and beyond).
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Someone is better than no-one... can we ask a friend? current therapist? sibling that you don't hate? haha. If we can't get anyone, no worries :)
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Can I bring a loved one?
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110%! Anyone is welcome! One of my three cats will often join us too. Meiow!
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How do you make this a safe space?
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I see it as my job to create a space for you that is affirming, safe, respectful, warm, non-judgemental and playful (if you like fun!) I do whatever I can in my power to create that for you, whether it means you don't want to (or can't) do any questionnaires before hand, want your camera off (as long as I can see you for 5 mins at the start, and 5 at the end), want to lay down in bed, eat, etc.
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If you have a disability that means that we need to modify anything, I will do that for you- if you struggle to type, have a vision or hearing impairment, FND, CPTSD, or a learning disability (for example) we can make modifications for you.
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I do autism assessments the way I wish my own autism assessment was done. (mine was a bit shit and not very affirming!) I see assessments like therapy
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There are no trick questions. I am not trying to 'catch anyone out'. It is not clinical. Anyone who knows me knows that I am certainly not 'clinical' ahahaha!
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I want to be someone who helps to restores your faith in psychologists! And I'll do whatever it takes (within reason!) to provide that for you.
​​​​​What happens in the 2 hours?
My typical approach includes:
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Clarifying what I can do to make the process comfortable and accessible for you
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Clarifying what you want in our time together (some people give me a lot of data before hand, so we can use the session to talk about NDIS, resources, talk about autistic burnout, masking, etc)
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Clarifying if you identify as autistic or not, and why not/why
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Clarify a few background areas (eg- more data in addition to what you have given me on your mental health, etc)
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Do the MIGDAS with you (or only ask some parts of the MIGDAS, depending on how much you have written before hand)
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I will then screen share share test results and informant data with you (only if informant has agreed I can share it with you)
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We then (usually!) have time to talk about key resources or supports you need
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Will I get an autism diagnosis?
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98% of the time, I'm able to provide you with an outcome on the day.​​​​​​​​
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In around 1% of cases, the time booked is not enough, and we need to book more time, at an additional charge of $310/50 mins, with a rebate of $145.25 (with a Mental Health Care Plan).​​
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The 2 hours allows you to ask plenty of questions as well/look at unmasking, autistic burnout, PDA, 2e, etc
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What happens after my session? ​​
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Right after your session (on the very same day), I will email you key resources as a starting point (relevant to you), and key blogs
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4 weeks later (sometimes up to 6 weeks), I email you your full report
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I can see you for a small handful (1-3) therapy sessions after to support you/put you on the right track too
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I know many lovely and openly auDHDer/ autistic psychologists to refer you to for ongoing support- these are all affirming and SAFE people.
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When do I get my autism assessment report? ​
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You get a detailed report in 4 weeks (can occasionally take up to 6 weeks due to school holidays, emergencies, etc). Sometimes, I can get a report to you within 1 week (Speedy Gonzales!)
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What will my report be like? ​
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I hope you'll like it! I love to go to town, so reports are pretty comprehensive (@ 40 pages) and include your background, results, strengths, tailored recommendations, and next steps.
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Can I hire you at my next event?​
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Look, I can do a decent few kareoke songs, but I'm not that talented sorry. I do a good rendition of 'Be Our Guest', 'See My Vest' (the Mr Burns version) and other delightful ditties.​​​​​
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I get that you like cats- do you wish you have any other pets?​
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Funny that you should ask! I have a dog too, but I would really love a pet duck, goat and mini pig, snake, lizard, and so on. Quite the long list.... How about you?
​​Why choose Neurokin Psychology?
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​​I'm not a rookie- I've been a psychologist for 21 years, and have two Masters degrees in psychology.
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​Being a clinically endorsed psychologist, my reports are often more accepted by the NDIS and Centrelink (lucky me!)
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​I love what I can (can you tell?) and I love connecting with all kinds of folk.
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I dedicate many hours in each step, including intake, assessment, information gathering, result interpretation, and report writing.
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My reports are very comprehensive and highly regarded.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Can I call you to chat first?
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Sure- I am happy to chat before you book in to ensure that I'm the best fit for you! ​​​I say I offer '5 mins chats', but it's never for 5 mins, let's be honest ahahaha!
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​What is the next step?
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To book an appointment, simply email us directly. We love getting emails, and look forward to meeting you!
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READY TO GET GOING?
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