In Australia, access to public services is a crucial aspect of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to thrive and lead fulfilling lives. Over the years, public services has become more accessible for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) however, there is an increase in the prevalence of ASD, now estimating that approximately 1 in 70 individuals in Australia, as opposed to the previous 1 in 100 estimate (Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), 2018).
Today, we're going to explore what ASD is, and some ways to access public services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Melbourne.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by a range of symptoms that affect an individual's ability to communicate, interact socially, and engage in repetitive behaviors. It's essential to remember that ASD is a spectrum, meaning that every individual with ASD is unique, with varying abilities and challenges (Hodges et al., 2020).
What should I do ?
1. Ask you General Practitioner (GP) for a referral
You will need to ask your GP and explain that you are seeking a diagnostic assessment for possible Autism Spectrum Disorder (DSM-V assessment tool) for your child as referred.
2. After getting a referral, you can access the following contacts for specific services:
After getting a referral, you can access the following contacts for specific services:
Paediatrician services and information
Location | What they offer | Contact details |
Dandenong hospital | They take on referrals for clinical intake and provide access to paediatricians. | Dandenong General Paediatrics – Monash Children's Hospital
Contact a patient
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Psychology services and information - State funded services
Please note that: Funded Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments are usually part of the child and adolescent mental health services at major hospitals.
You could also contact the following locations for psychology services and information:
Location | What they offer | Contact details |
CYMHS Eastern Health at Box Hill | They take on referrals for clinical intake and maintenance from Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists. In some circumstances, they can offer specialised assessments with involvement from these allied health disciplines. |
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Royal Children’s Hospital | They take on referrals and complete different autism assessments for children aged 0-6. |
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Developmental Paediatrics - Monash Children's Hospital | They take on referrals and provide paediatric and psychology assessments for children of all ages. |
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The following contacts are university clinics that provide interventions services and assessments at low- to no-cost. These services may have longer waiting lists than other services, so it is recommended to contact them as soon as possible to have your name added to the wait lists.
Location | What they offer | Contact details |
University of Melbourne Psychology Clinic | They offer an Autism Assessment for the cost of $650 with an 8– 9 month waiting list. |
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Monash University’s Krongold Clinic | They provide low-cost Psychology and assessment services. Their website states 2 – 3 week wait times at this time of year, but their phone message states the current wait time for a Provisional Psychologist is 12 – 18 months. They have an online booking system. See their pricing and assessment packages for reference: https://www.monash.edu/education/krongold-clinic/pricing. |
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The Institute for Social Neuroscience (ISN) | They offer low- or no-cost Psychology and assessment services. |
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Public services, such as early intervention programs and therapy services, often have long waitlists, and we understand that it can be challenging and stressful to access the support they need in a timely manner. Our clinic offers psychology assessments with no wait time. If you have any questions, complete the form below and don’t hesitate to contact us!
Psychology assessment form:
References
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). (2018). Autism prevalence rate up by an estimated 40% to 1 in 70 people. (Aspect). https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/news/autism-prevalence-rate-up-by-an-estimated-40-to-1-in-70-people-11-07-2018
Hodges, H., Fealko, C., & Soares, N. (2020). Autism spectrum disorder: definition, epidemiology, causes, and clinical evaluation. Translational pediatrics, 9(Suppl 1), S55–S65. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2019.09.09
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