Services - Autism Spectrum Assessment Team
Our service
We assess children whose parents, teachers or doctors are concerned that they may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The service conducts assessments on Thursdays each week.
The children we assess have difficulties in the areas of:
- speech and language development
- cognitive development
- play
- social interaction.
This is a confidential, free service designed primarily to assist parents and their children.
What does our service offer you?
We aim to offer a multi-disciplinary assessment of your child, involving parents, teachers and other people currently working with your child.
With carers' permission, we meet and share information with these workers and liaise with service providers.
Who is eligible?
Children aged between 2 - 15 years who live in the Melbourne western metropolitan region.
Who is involved?
- a psychologist
- a speech pathologist
- a paediatrician
What is involved?
- A child assessment that can be observed by parents and other professionals.
- An interview with parents about their concerns, expectations and family background.
- A discussion with other people working with the child. Parents are encouraged to invite therapists and teachers who know the child well to join the assessment.
- The half-day session ends with a discussion about the assessment, including the child's special needs and strengths and options for future services.
- A report is sent to parents, referrers and relevant others, according to parents' wishes.
How to refer?
Parents or professionals (in consultation with parents) can write to:
The Autism Spectrum Assessment Team
Royal Children's Hospital
Travancore Campus
50 Flemington Street
Flemington 3031or phone, 03 9345 6011.
Professionals who work within the Royal Children's Hospital and who wish to make a referral will need to complete the appropriate referral form, Autism Referral Form .
To help us gain a better understanding of your child's development, we encourage parents to provide us with copies of previous assessments (e.g. speech pathology, psychological) and copies of previous reports and letters from professionals (e.g. medical).
Contact the Team Coordinator or the Team Secretary, Rhea Hornby on 9345 6011 for the current waiting period for assessment.