Autism Assessments Perth: Get Clarity & Support for Your Child
SPEAK WITH AN AUTISM ASSESSOR TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD NEEDS, EXPLORE FUNDING OPTIONS & CREATE A PERSONALISED PLAN – ALL IN ONE CALL
This free discovery call gives you clarity, peace of mind, and a clear path forward for your child’s autism assessment. Spots are limited, so book now!
Warm & Play-Based
We create a safe space for your child to be themselves, using play & connection to gather real insights – never expecting them to act a certain way.
Parent-Informed, Expert-Led
Choose speech, psych, or a combined assessment. We combine your insights with gold-standard tools and your reports to understand your child.
Empowering Next Steps
You’ll receive a detailed report and clarity on what to do next—whether that’s NDIS access, certain types of therapy, or further assessment.
Does this sound like you?
We know how overwhelming this process can feel. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.”
- You’re overwhelmed and unsure what’s involved in an autism assessment.
- You’ve been brushed off as “overly worried” or told your child is just shy or silly.
- You know something isn’t right, but no one is listening, and you’re desperate for answers.
- You’re worried about the cost and time of multiple appointments with no clear outcome.
- You need diagnostic evidence fast—for school support, NDIS funding, or other urgent needs.
Well, Just Imagine If…
You could get clarity and answers in just one day with a cost-effective, $2997 team assessment.
You had a team of paediatric specialists with combined 25+ years of experience guiding you.
You received thorough, holistic results that consider your child’s experience in the clinic, at home and school – all of which can look different.
You left the assessment with paperwork in hand, ready to access NDIS or school support ASAP.
You finally felt heard, supported, and confident in the next steps for your child’s future.
You had a team that truly listened, understood your concerns, and validated your instincts as a parent—because you know your child best.
We’re here to help—but spots fill up fast.
Book your free call today to get the answers and support you need.
Here's What Parents Are Saying
My daughter had an autism assessment here. It was very quick to get an appointment and Saffira was great at assessing her needs, and able to ask questions to get the correct diagnosis and the best profile of what our daughter will benefit from in the future. Our daughter was actually quite comfortable in the space although that was her first time there, so that’s a plus because she’s usually very slow to warm up to new people and spaces. This lets me know the space felt safe to her, which was good for getting an accurate assessment. I would definitely recommend anyone needing a thorough autism assessment go to Saffira, she made us all feel very comfortable every step of the way 🙂
Lauren Elyse
We have met Saffira during the process of having our son assessed for asd. She has been really professional and supportive through the whole process being able to give the best guidance and advice through all different steps and also offering support to us as parents at the start of our journey with a diagnosis. We can’t thank her enough for all she has done for us and will definetly be recommending to others that may need her professional services.
Fabrizio Baglio
I took my son for an ASD assessment. They were able to fit us in within a few weeks. They professionals involved were warm and inviting. My son felt very comfortable in the space. Thank you.
Lee Sutherland
Saffira was recommended by a professional colleague to conduct an assessment on my daughter. The communication from her and her admin team was prompt and informative. My daughter was comfortable with her, she is friendly and professional. Her office space is welcoming and parking was a breeze. I would recommend her services to colleagues and friends.
Erin Isbister
Safirra is professional and makes the assessment fun and comfortable. Valuable information and advice were provided to the child with special needs accessing OT, SP, NDIS review. I can’t be thankful enough for Safirra’s kindness and help during this difficult time to us.
Rose Tran
Saffira is very straight forward and professional when we went to see her for a second opinion/ ASD assessment meeting for our 3 yo son. She is a natural with children and is skilled in interacting with them to quickly identify their strength and weaknesses. She has alot of insight which is very helpful for us to decide on the best pathway for our son. We would not hesitate to recommend Saffira for her honest, straightforward and professional service.
Ni Zeng
My child did not feel anxious during assessment. He had a fun time and was comfortable throughout which made it a pleasant journey.
Angel C.
Saffira is an incredibly engaged, kind and knowledgeable speech therapist. We see her with our two year old daughter and she has been immensely helpful in her assessments & in connecting us to other relevant services. Before seeing Saffira we felt lost & unsupported, we now feel confident in the pathway we are on for our child to support their development. We love Saffira’s holistic approach and integrating her strategies into our everyday care.
Jasmyn Woodford
Don’t wait for answers—secure your spot now!
Steps to Your Autism Assessment
Here’s how we make the process simple and stress-free for you and your child
- Ascertain whether enough information warrants an autism diagnosis.
- Ascertain whether a standard speech pathology/second opinion assessment is required first.
- Deposit processed.
Pre-assessment Review
- Gathering background information through questionnaires and school/daycare reports.
- Reviewing any relevant reports or assessments from other professionals.
In-Person Assessment
- Observations using tools such as the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).
- Parent interviews to gather a developmental history.
- Assessments of communication and cognitive skills (if needed).
Post-Assessment
- School visit or phone call with current teacher (only if required, 10% of cases require this).
- An optional feedback phone call to explain the results and next steps.
Assessment Report
- A detailed report summarising findings, recommendations, and strategies.
- Justifications tied to functional impact, NDIS criteria, and expected outcomes across communication, social participation, daily living, and learning.
- 4-week turnaround for the report.
Steps to Your Autism Assessment
- Ascertain whether enough information warrants an autism diagnosis.
- Ascertain whether a standard speech pathology/second opinion assessment is required first.
- Deposit processed.
Pre-assessment Review
- Gathering background information through questionnaires and school/daycare reports.
- Reviewing any relevant reports or assessments from other professionals.
In-Person Assessment
- Observations using tools such as the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).
- Parent interviews to gather a developmental history.
- Assessments of communication and cognitive skills (if needed).
Post-Assessment
- School visit or phone call with current teacher (only if required, 10% of cases require this).
- An optional feedback phone call to explain the results and next steps.
Assessment Report
- A detailed report summarising findings, recommendations, and strategies.
- Justifications tied to functional impact, NDIS criteria, and expected outcomes across communication, social participation, daily living, and learning.
- 4-week turnaround for the report.
I’m Saffira, assessor and founder.
When it comes to understanding your child, you want clarity—not confusion or months of waiting. With a postgraduate qualification in autism diagnostics, over 15 years of paediatric speech pathology experience, and more than five years of joint clinical assessments alongside a team of educational & clinical psychologists, I bring both expertise and perspective to the process.
I’ve spent my career helping families make sense of their child’s communication, behaviour, and learning profile – turning uncertainty into a clear path forward.
As both a clinician & mum,
I know how important it is to feel confident in the steps you’re taking. That’s why the assessments at our clinic are designed to give you more than just a report: you’ll walk away with answers, a plan, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what’s next.
Me and my autism diagnostic team are here to guide you through this process with care, expertise, and the answers you’ve been searching for.
Don’t wait for clarity—secure your spot today and take the first step toward support and answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
My child has been recommended for an autism assessment, but I don’t know what this means
If your child has been recommended for an autism assessment, it means someone—often a therapist, daycare staff, or teacher—has noticed signs that suggest some autistic traits.
For younger children, daycare staff or therapists often recommend an assessment based on their daily interactions with your child. For school-aged children, teachers or therapists may notice patterns suggesting autism and advise further evaluation.
Since teachers and daycare staff observe typical children daily, they are often the first to notice when a child’s social skills are different. However, their recommendation does not mean your child has autism—it just indicates the need for further investigation.
For a quick summary, Autism affects social communication, in three key areas:
- Social reciprocity – The ability to engage in back-and-forth interactions. Children with autism may struggle with conversations, responding to their name, or engaging with peers.
- Non-verbal communication – So challenges with using eye contact, facial expressions, or gestures like waving, clapping and hand movements.
- Developing and maintaining relationships – Some children may prefer to play alone, or just with adults, or may struggle with making and keeping friends.
Another key area of autism is restricted and repetitive behaviors. Not all children with autism show these behaviors, but if daycare staff or teachers have noticed them, it may be another reason for the referral.
These behaviours may include:
- Hand-flapping, spinning, or sensitivity to sounds or textures.
- Intense interests in specific topics or a need for predictability.
- Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine.
The purpose of an autism assessment is to ensure your child gets the right support. If diagnosed with autism, your child may be eligible for government funding to help cover therapy and support. Schools may also apply for additional resources, such as education assistant time, to support your child’s learning.
Ultimately, an autism assessment helps clarify your child’s needs. If autism is confirmed, it opens doors to tailored support. If not, the assessment can still provide insights into your child’s development and how to best support their learning and wellbeing.
I’ve been told my child needs a paediatrician to assess for autism, is this true?
No, a pediatrician is not required to confirm an autism diagnosis.
Before 2024 in Western Australia, schools—both public and private—required a pediatrician’s involvement in the autism assessment process. However, due to long wait times and pediatricians closing their books, this requirement has changed.
Now, WA schools, Medicare (for rebates), and NDIS accept autism assessments conducted through a team consensus pathway, which requires at least two professionals—such as a psychologist, speech pathologist, or psychiatrist. While a pediatrician can be involved, they are no longer mandatory.
According to the 2023 National Guidelines for Autism Assessment, the autsim can technically be diagnosed by the single practitioner pathway (such as a paediatrician, clinical psychologist or psychiatrist). However, in WA, a two-clinician assessment is still highly recommended to ensure access to school-based supports and to meet eligibility for NDIS. adults are moe likely to be assessed usng single clinican pathwy
Why a Two-Practitioner Pathway?
For children, a two-practitioner assessment is generally preferred due to their developmental needs and possible co-occurring conditions. The National Guidelines strongly recommend that if a psychologist is part of the assessment, they should ideally be a clinical psychologist due to their additional training in differential diagnoses, cognitive development, and co-occurring conditions.
What The Online Speechie Recommends
At The Online Speechie, we follow the team assessment model, typically involving a speech pathologist and a clinical psychologist. This ensures a thorough evaluation of social communication, language development, and co-existing conditions.
Exceptions & NDIS Considerations
In some states, a single-clinician diagnosis by a medical practitioner (such as a pediatrician, psychiatrist, or clinical psychologist) is more widely accepted, particularly for adult assessments. However, for children, a team-based assessment is still the best approach, as it increases the likelihood of receiving school-based and NDIS supports.
While NDIS technically should accept single-clinician diagnoses based on the National Guidelines, families in WA may face challenges in accessing services without a two-clinician report. Therefore, the two-practitioner pathway remains the recommended approach for ensuring the best outcomes in school and government support programs.
My child has been diagnosed with autism by a psychologist or paediatrician in the eastern states. Why do I need another assessment when I move to Western Australia?
If you’ve moved to Western Australia, your child may need a new assessment to access school-based supports. The WA Department of Education requires a two-practitioner assessment report by qualified professionals.
In most cases, families only need our speech pathologist to conduct the additional assessment. However, this is not just a review of previous reports—it is a full DSM-5 autism assessment, requiring formal testing and observation. The process must be treated as if the child has not yet been diagnosed, which is why the assessment cost and duration remains the same.
For more details on WA’s autism diagnosis requirements, refer to Question 2.
Why do we offer a Joint Assessment with Clinical Psychologists & Speech Pathologists?
We offer joint autism assessments with a Clinical Psychologist and Speech Pathologist because it aligns with best practice and ensures a comprehensive evaluation of both social and behavioral aspects of autism. Our approach follows the National Guidelines for Autism Assessment and meets for school-based support in WA.
A joint assessment is beneficial because autism shares overlapping traits with other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, learning difficulties, or developmental language disorders. A Clinical Psychologist helps differentiate autism from other developmental, emotional, or cognitive conditions, while a Speech Pathologist evaluates social communication, language, and interaction skills. This ensures a thorough and accurate assessment, preventing mis-identification.
Additionally, a joint assessment is more practical and cost-effective for families:
- Reduces costs by allowing a joint report instead of separate assessments and reports, avoiding duplication of information.
- Ensures a reliable diagnosis by allowing both professionals to compare real-time observations and reach a consensus more effectively.
- Minimises disruptions to families by conducting a single, thorough assessment rather than multiple appointments over weeks.
This collaborative approach provides a more efficient, accessible, and well-rounded assessment for families.
Why does it cost so much to assess for autism?
At The Online Speechie, we aim to keep costs manageable by offering a joint assessment with a Clinical Psychologist and Speech Pathologist. This approach reduces time spent on duplicate tasks and allows for a streamlined process, ultimately lowering costs for families.
However, autism assessments involve significantly more than just the time in person. Each clinician typically spends 6-8 hours per child, which includes:
- Reviewing referral information and background reports.
- Conducting the assessment in person, including standardized testing and clinical observations.
- Post-assessment case discussions to analyze findings and reach a consensus.
- Scoring and interpreting results from multiple assessment tools.
- Writing a comprehensive, tailored report that integrates all collected information and provides clear recommendations.
Each report is uniquely crafted to reflect your child’s strengths, challenges, and support needs, ensuring accuracy for school and funding applications. The investment reflects the depth of evaluation required to provide a thorough and reliable assessment for your child.
Will the assessment evaluate other conditions like ADHD or cognitive ability?
While your child is being assessed for autism, our clinical psychologist and speech pathologist will also look for signs of other conditions that may better explain their difficulties or commonly co-occur with autism.
For example, If there is enough evidence suggesting ADHD, the clinical psychologist may conduct further ADHD-specific assessment either during the appointment or through follow-up sessions. If ADHD is diagnosed, it will still need to be confirmed by a paediatrician or psychiatrist, as they are responsible for managing treatment options and their consensus is usually required for support in schools.
Cognitive delays or intellectual disability can also be assessed by the clinical psychologist as an additional component. Since this requires a separate, detailed evaluation, further fees apply. We do not include cognitive assessments in the standard autism assessment fee to keep costs fair for families, so only those who need it are charged.
Other conditions, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), anxiety, OCD, or other mental health concerns, can be assessed and reported on by the clinical psychologist. In some cases, additional sessions may be required to complete these.
While we strive to assess as much as possible during the autism assessment, some conditions require more time and resources. This is why additional assessments are offered separately, ensuring each child receives the most relevant assessment for their needs.
My child behaves differently at home, school and with adults one-to-one. They may sometimes mask their difficulties. Will this affect the assessment?
Children with autism often behave differently across environments, and this is factored into the assessment. Diagnosis requires challenges across multiple settings, but they don’t have to look the same in each one. Some children, especially older or verbal ones, may mask at school but struggle at home, while others cope well at home but find school overwhelming.
Clinicians assess overall patterns, considering factors like anxiety, peer interactions, and sensory sensitivities. A child may not display every trait in every setting, but if difficulties are evident across contexts, autism may still be the best explanation. The goal is to determine the most accurate diagnosis to ensure the right support.
How do I receive a rebate from Medicare?
The easiest way to claim a Medicare rebate is through your GP referral. Your GP must provide a referral under the correct Medicare item codes before your child’s assessment for the claim to be processed.
Not all GPs are familiar with this process, so it’s helpful to bring an information document outlining the correct item codes. Your GP needs to issue two separate referrals—one for the speech pathologist and one for the clinical psychologist—both stating the required codes and each practitioner’s medicare number. These medicare numbers are in your information pack sent to you at time of booking.
Once the assessment is completed and paid for, you can submit your receipt to Medicare for a rebate. Alternatively, the clinic can send the claim on your behalf if you share your medicare details with us.
Keep in mind that you can claim either through Medicare or private health insurance, but not both at the same time.
For more details, speak with your GP or visit the Medicare Benefits Schedule online.
What if additional information is needed after the assessment?
In most cases, the information gathered from parent and teacher questionnaires, reports, and observations during the assessment is enough to determine whether your child meets autism criteria. However, in around 10% of cases, we may need additional evidence before making a final decision.
This is more common for older children, especially those who mask their difficulties in certain settings. If more information is required, we may arrange a phone call with school or daycare staff, a school or home visit, or additional assessments (such as cognitive or language testing).
Any extra time needed beyond the scheduled assessment will be charged at our standard hourly rate. This will always be discussed with you in advance, including an estimate of time and costs.
If your child struggles in the clinic setting and the assessment has to be cut short (e.g., after only 30 minutes), we will complete the remaining assessment within the original fee. However, if the full assessment is completed and additional assessments are needed, these will be charged separately.
We aim to be as transparent as possible and will keep you informed throughout the process.
Can my child’s challenging behaviors during the assessment affect the results?
No, challenging behaviors won’t negatively impact the assessment—they provide valuable insight into how your child copes in a new environment. Our experienced assessors are skilled in supporting children through these moments safely. You’ll be nearby, and if needed, we’ll involve you. Your child’s behaviors help inform the assessment, not hinder it.
How long does the process take?
The assessment process takes about 3-4 weeks. The session lasts 2 to 2.5 hours, including a time for the formal assessment with your child and the parent clinical interview. A diagnosis isn’t given immediately—assessors analyze results and discuss findings before reaching a conclusion. You’ll receive an update within a week and the full report within four weeks.
How to prepare for your assessment? What to expect on the day
You don’t need to overly prepare your child for their autism assessment. The goal is to observe how they naturally adapt to new people and an unfamiliar environment. While it’s okay to mention the appointment in a casual way, avoid detailed explanations or social stories that could change their natural responses.
On the day, if you’ve booked a joint assessment, both the speech pathologist and clinical psychologist will work with your child. When you arrive, we observe how your child enters the room and interacts. Then, one assessor will take your child for structured play-based testing (ADOS or MIGDAS), while the other interviews you about your child’s development and behaviors. Later, the assessors swap to ensure both spend time with your child and gather a full picture.
We’re here to help—but spots fill up fast.
Book your free call today to get the answers and support you need.
