If you have concerns that your child may be showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Growing Together Clinic provides comprehensive autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents in Indooroopilly, Brisbane. Our integrated team of GPs and Consultant Paediatricians use a widely recognised and extensively validated tools for autism diagnostic assessment including ADOS-2, helping families gain a clear understanding of their child's needs and the right pathway forward.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them. ASD presents differently in every child – some children are identified early in life, while others may not receive a diagnosis until school age or adolescence, often following concerns about learning, behaviour, or social difficulties.
Autism Spectrum Disorder can present in many different ways, and there are several other conditions that may appear similar to autism without actually being autism. Some conditions can also occur alongside autism, and sometimes these need to be addressed before an autism evaluation can be completed effectively. These and Autism assessments can be completed through our clinic, where the focus is always on improving how the young person functions at home, at school, and within the community.
The team at the clinic will collaborate to determine what information is required from home, school, and any outside therapists already supporting the young person. This information will then be discussed in team meetings to help form advice on what further assessment may be required or whether a diagnosis is ready to be discussed. We work alongside families and the young person to identify and work toward their goals, exploring challenges together throughout the process. During the evaluation, a standardised assessment tool such as the ADOS-2 may be recommended, which may require a separate 60-minute session and will be discussed with families prior to proceeding.
Presently, there are no medical tests that can diagnose autism. Both the Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism and the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism have separately outlined key elements of a high-quality assessment when Autism Spectrum Disorder is being considered. There are various questionnaires and assessment tools that can be used, and some are more appropriate in certain situations than others.
All approaches require information from multiple sources, including home, school, and other community settings, to understand social interactions and behavioural patterns across environments. These behaviours can present in different ways and may underlie challenges with classroom engagement, anxieties, or other expressions of strong emotions.
Parents are often the first to notice that something seems different about their child’s development. Signs that may indicate ASD can vary widely depending on the child’s age and how autism presents for them. Some early indicators include:
ASD can also be identified later in life, particularly in children who have developed strong coping strategies. Concerns about learning difficulties, anxiety, or social challenges at school may prompt a referral for assessment in older children and adolescents.
If you have noticed any of these signs, or have concerns raised by a teacher or allied health professional, speaking with our GP is a good first step.
All paediatric assessments at Growing Together Clinic begin with a GP appointment. Dr McVinish sees patients referred through our GP only. Book your initial GP appointment today – your child’s journey starts there.
Growing Together Clinic uses validated tools for autism diagnostic assessment. Some are structured, play-based assessments that allow our clinicians to observe and evaluate communication, social interaction, and behaviour in a natural and supported setting. Others involve questionnaires that look for specific behaviours that are observed by the young person’s parents, teachers or other significant persons.
The assessment process at Growing Together Clinic follows our integrated care model:
Your child’s journey begins with a comprehensive GP consultation. A full developmental and medical history is gathered, existing school and therapy reports are reviewed, and an initial care plan is developed. The GP determines whether a referral to our Consultant Paediatrician for formal autism assessment is appropriate.
Where an autism assessment is indicated, your child will be referred to our onsite Consultant Paediatrician. A standardised assessment tool, such as the ADOS-2, may be recommended, which may require a separate 60-minute session and will be discussed with families prior to proceeding. Further information from school, home and other relevant stakeholders may also be requested, with questionnaires sent to these parties following discussion with the family. This appointment is privately billed.
Following the assessment, most ongoing care and follow-up can be managed by our GP in close consultation with the Paediatrician. GP appointments remain bulk billed, reducing the cost burden for families over time. The Paediatrician remains involved through case conferences and collaborative planning as needed.
Our GP can provide all relevant prescriptions and implement management plans in consultation with the Paediatrician, ensuring your child’s care is joined up and consistent from the outset.
Our shared-care approach means families have access to specialist assessment without the ongoing cost and wait times that come with paediatric-only care. It means:
Our goal is simple: to make paediatric care easier to access, easier to afford, and better coordinated for every family.
