Multi-Team Neurodivergent-Affirming Online Autism Spectrum Assessment
About the Multi-Team Autism Spectrum Assessment
Multi-team assessment (Psychologist and Occupational therapist) - Online only.
Brilliant Minds Psychology offers an online assessment for adults (18+) seeking re-diagnosis for funding purposes. Our assessment process includes assessment by a psychologist and occupational therapist for a multi-team assessment. This is a fully online assessment includes a psychologist and occupational therapist that assess multiple domains (social, emotional, sensory and adaptive living) for a thorough assessments. This assessment is suitable for adults who need an autism reassessment to determine level and who wish to apply for supports (e.g. NDIS) and for those seeking to increase self-understanding. This assessment includes sessions with an occupational therapist that assesses your sensory differences and includes a thorough interview assessing adaptive living skills.
This assessment is recommended for those questioning neurodivergence specifically Autism or for that were diagnosed in childhood that are now seeking a re-assessment for diagnostic confirmation. This assessment is recommended for those in rural and regional communities that find accessing assessment services to be difficult and are therefore disadvantaged.
*Where possible we highly recommend in clinic assessments.
This assessment is also suitable for those applying for funding with the NDIS.
Telehealth
- As per the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia please read below in relation to the Telehealth setting. A telehealth setting refers to interactions using telephone or video conferencing and or reviewing video recordings.
- The advantages of telehealth settings include the ability to:
- - Connect clients living in rural or remote regions with clinicians that have experience that may not be available in the clients local community.
- - Facilitate the assessment of individuals who may have personal factors - sensory or anxiety symptoms that prevent or limit their ability to attend a clinical setting.
- Possible disadvantages of telehealth include:
- - The use of telehealth also presents significant limitations, particularly in the breadth and detail of information that can be obtained from a client and the conclusions that can be drawn from an assessment through this restricted communication method.
What do you need to have access to for this assessment?
Please ensure you have access to stable internet and a camera. Your clinician must be able to see you, as observations are part of the assessment process. We do not provide assessments over the phone.
You must have access to a private and confidential space with no interruptions.
What To Expect?
Our Online Adult Autistic Neurotype Assessment is fully online only. You will meet with your psychologist and occupational therapists separately via videoconference for your assessment.
1. Prior to your first session for your assessment, you will be sent a series of online questionnaires to complete.
a) It is important these questionnaires are completed to help gain a comprehensive understanding of
the person being assessed.
2. We ask that your parent, sibling, good friend that knows you well, or a significant other also complete collateral questionnaire.
3. If you have previous assessment reports and school report cards, we ask these also be sent through.
4. We ask you to prepare a list of information relating to your educational and work history if this is extensive. a. It is also important that you note areas of differences/difficulties that you have experienced in
these domains of your life.
5. It is important to note that the online neurodivergent assessment does not include a cognitive assessment component as all elements are conducted online. We do not provide medication.
6. If an intellectual disability is present or questioned an in-clinic assessment including a cognitive assessment is recommended.
7. Assessment can be tiring so we recommend you have sensory fidgets, rest breaks, drink and snacks on hand during the assessment process.
Appointment Breakdown
Your First Appointment
Your first session will be an intake session with your psychologist to gain background historical information and ongoing current concerns.Your reasons for assessment will be covered along with your main current presenting concerns.This intake will ask you questions about your early developmental history, birth, developmental milestones, social and emotional development, mental health history, educational and work history.
During this first appointment, if your psychologist forms the impression that it is not appropriate to proceed with this assessment due to other interferring factors we reserve the right not to proceed with the assessment.
Session 2
At Brilliant Minds Psychology we use the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2). The MIGDAS-2 is a sensory-based approach to diagnosing autism and is a neuroaffirming autism diagnostic tool.
It is recommended that you attend the interview with a family member or partner that knows you well. Following this interview you psychologist may choose to send additional questionnaires if needed.
Session 3
A 1-hour assessment initial appointment with an Occupational Therapist exploring independent living skills and adaptive functioning. This initial interview with an occupational therapist will cover gaining information relating to daily living skills, including self-care, independent living skills, and adaptive functioning. (In the event that additional time is needed this is billed based on the Occupational Assessment hourly rate of $230 per hour)
- We ask that a parent or someone who knows you complete an adaptive measure questionnaire prior to this appointment.
Session 4
Exploring Sensory Differences We understand that sensory differences are commonly experienced by autistic individuals. Our fully trained Occupational Therapist are trained to administer sensory based assessment tools and further ask questions around sensory differences.
Assessment Report
A multidisciplinary neuroaffirming assessment report with psychologist and occupational therapist recommendations will be provided following the assessment.
6 hours of time is charge for the report writing by our psychologist and occupational therapist.
Psychologist and Occupational therapy assessment results and recommendations are provided in one report for you and signed by both psychologist and occupational therapist.
3 hours for Occupational therapy report, scoring, interpretation, write up and recommendations 3 hours for Psychology report, scoring, interpretation, report write up and recommendations
Feedback Session
1 Hour Feedback Session with the Psychologist
This feedback session will allow you to discuss your report in detail with the clinician.
Not Suitable For Individuals with the Following Conditions
- Not Suitable for individuals with the following conditions:- Not suitable for those with a Moderate or Severe Intellectual impairment.- Not suitable for those that have non-verbal communication.- Not suitable for - Acute mental distress or experiencing suicidal ideation.- Not suitable for - A history and current complex mental health conditions including PTSD, psychosis, schizophrenia and
other complex personality disorders. - Not suitable for those with current addiction disorders- Not suitable for those seeking a forensic report for court purposes.- Not suitable for non-verbal individuals.
Additional Costs Not Included
If a clinical psychologist sign-off is required for an NDIS application, an additional rate of $260 will apply upon request.If an NDIS request form is recommended to be completed by a therapist following assessment, additional fees will incur (approximately 1-3 hour fee)
It is important to note that this assessment is not Functional Capacity Assessment.