Assessment of ASD is typically conducted by a multidisciplinary team of allied health professionals. This team usually includes a paediatrician or child psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a speech pathologist. Sometimes other professionals, such as an occupational therapist or audiologist might also be involved.
Usually your GP would make the referral to a paediatrician or child psychiatrist. If the paediatrician or child psychiatrist believes your child may have ASD, they may then refer your child to a psychologist and any other health professionals for additional assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.
Parents, family, and other carers play an important role in the assessment and treatment of a child. As part of the assessment, the psychologist asks the parent about the child’s development, their strengths and difficulties, and their behaviour. The assessment often involves obtaining background information such as family history, as well as current information. The psychologist is likely to observe your child in different settings such as at home, at preschool or school, or in childcare to better understand their behaviour and how they interact with others.
The psychologist may also conduct assessments of your child’s learning, language and communication, and various day-to-day skills typical of children their age.