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OUR OFFERS
SHORT
WAITING LIST
In most cases we
are able to
provide appointments within
3
to 4 weeks from the referral
date.
PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE
We have specialised
training and
use standard
diagnostic tests
(ADI-R/ADOS) as required
by
paediatricians and
hospitals.
WARMTH
As an independent clinic, we were
able to
create a friendly
and
relaxed atmosphere that
children
appreciate.
QUICK
REPORTS
Our autism assessment
reports
are prepared within a week from
the testing
date.
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Welcome to our Autism
information section. We provide complete diagnostic assessments
of Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and other developmental disorders.
We are approved Autism and Pervasive Developmental
Disorder (PDD) psychology providers and our assessments are
covered by Medicare under the Australian Government's Helping
Children with Autism initiative.
On this page you will
find general information about Autism Spectrum Disorders,
accessing Medicare approved assessment services and likely outcomes
for children with
Autism.
Characteristics of Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
are characterised by significant and chronic impairment in a
number of different developmental areas. The main developmental
domains that affected are social interaction (especially the
perception of social cues), severely impaired communication skills
(both verbal and non-verbal), and stereotyped behaviour patterns,
interests and activities. Autism Spectrum Disorders include
Childhood Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental
Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
A brief
description of the different developmental areas that are commonly
impaired in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is outlined
below:
SOCIAL FUNCTIONING
The most easily
recognisable characteristic of ASDs is a child's gross impairment in
reciprocal social functioning. Children with ASDs don't respond to
other people's emotions and lack "theory of mind", the knowledge
that others possess feelings, wants and desires. When these children
interact with others they show an inability to rely on
non-verbal skills, such as eye contact, appropriate facial
expression, gestures and body posture. Consequently, they are
unable to form close and enduring relationships.
Similarly, children with ASDs show little or no need
for social relationships and
sharing.
COMMUNICATION
Children with Autism (but
not Asperger's Syndrome, also called high functioning Autism) also
show severe impairment in communication. Most often communication
problems manifest by delay in language development, the inability to
initiate or maintain a conversation, idiosyncratic language use
(e.g., repetition of single words), and the lack of age
appropriate make believe play.
BEHAVIOUR
PATTERNS
Finally, ASDs are characterised by stereotyped
behaviour patterns, interests and activities. Children with
ASDs can be obsessive about routines, timetables or objects.
They may show stereotyped and repetitive motor movements, such as
flapping fingers or wrists, walking on toes or whole body
movements. Children may also show extreme fascination with moving or
spinning objects and can spend an excessive amount of time
watching the same movement. The onset of ASDs is before age 3 years,
with Autism also often accompanied by mental
retardation.
Course and
Prognosis
The course of ASDs is chronic and
difficult to treat. The most important part of treatment is
family therapy and the education of family members about the
disorder. A patient and skillful approach can significantly improve
the quality of life for children with ASDs. Long term
outcome also depends on the child's intelligence, with higher
intellectual ability predicting better overall
functioning.
Helping Children with Autism
Initiative
The Helping Children
with Autism initiative is a nation wide approach to
involve medical and allied health professionals in the assessment,
diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Accordingly,
both the assessment and treatment of ASDs are covered by Medicare.
The Medicare rebate for assessment
is restricted to accessing eligible psychologists,
speech pathologists and occupational therapists. These services can
only be accessed with appropriate referral from a paediatrician
or child psychiatrist.
Upon referral from your paediatrician
or child psychiatrist we offer professional assessment of
Autism Spectrum Disorders. The pathway to access our
services under the Medicare scheme is shown
below:
(Adopted from: Department of Health and Ageing, 2009.
I know every child is different, but I'm still worried... A
guide to the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder,
www.autism.ahpa.com.au)
Our
Assessments
We offer complete assessment of
Autism Spectrum Disorders for children over 2 years of age. We
use standard measures in our assessment process, including the
Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism
Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The combination of
these tests is the most reliable way to evaluate the symptoms
of Autism Spectrum Disorders and it is considered a
minimum standard in the diagnostic process.
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