Autism Assessments
What is Autism?
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person experiences the world, processes information, communicates, and relates to others. It’s called a “spectrum” because it includes a wide range of traits and experiences, each person with autism is different, with their own strengths, challenges, and ways of being.
At its core, autism impacts social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behaviour or thinking. Many autistic individuals have a strong preference for routine, deep focus on specific interests, and heightened sensitivity to sounds, textures, lights, or emotions. Others may struggle with reading social cues, understanding unspoken rules, or managing overwhelm in unpredictable environments.
Autism is not a mental illness, behavioural problem, or something to be “fixed.” It is a neurotype - a natural variation in how the brain is wired. While some people may need more support in daily life, others may not realise they’re autistic until later in life, particularly if they’ve masked their traits to fit in.
Many adults reach a point in life where they begin to question long-standing patterns, feeling different, misunderstood, overwhelmed, or simply exhausted from masking who they are. If you’ve struggled with social interactions, sensory overload, or emotional regulation and never had a clear explanation, an autism assessment may provide the clarity you’ve been seeking.
At Inner Blueprint Psychology, we offer comprehensive autism assessments for individuals aged 18 and over, delivered via secure telehealth across Australia. Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and grounded in both evidence and deep respect for lived experience.
Why Seek An Autism Assessment?
An adult autism assessment can bring meaningful insight into how your brain works, why certain environments feel so draining, and how you’ve adapted to a world that wasn’t built for you. It can also open the door to more appropriate supports, workplace accommodations, or simply a deeper understanding of your identity.
Many adults seeking assessment describe:
- Chronic social fatigue or difficulties connecting
- Strong preference for structure, routine, and predictability
- Sensory sensitivities (e.g. to sound, light, texture)
- A history of masking or people-pleasing to fit in
- Difficulty interpreting social cues or sustaining relationships
- Intense focus on specific interests or areas of knowledge
- Emotional shutdown, burnout, or rigid coping strategies
- Past misdiagnoses or unresolved mental health difficulties
What Does The Assessment Involve?
The assessment process is comprehensive, individualised, depending on your unique presentation and the availability of informants (such as a parent, partner, or sibling). It is conducted entirely via secure telehealth. It is designed to gather a full picture of your developmental history, current functioning, and diagnostic profile in line with best-practice guidelines. It involves:
Initial Clinical Interview (1 hour)
We begin with a detailed interview exploring your developmental history, mental health, sensory profile, social experiences, communication style, and any long-standing challenges. This session helps build the foundation for diagnostic understanding and guides the next steps in assessment.
ADI-R Interview (2 hours)
If a parent, caregiver, or someone who knew you well in childhood is available, they will be invited to complete the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R). This structured interview focuses on your early development, communication, and behaviour across the lifespan.
If no informant is available, this step will be replaced with an additional 2-hour extended interview with you to gather this developmental history in as much depth as possible.
ADOS-2 Assessment (1 hour)
You will complete the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2, Module 4), a semi-structured assessment used to observe social communication, interaction patterns, and restricted/repetitive behaviours. This is a core component of the diagnostic process and is adapted for telehealth delivery.
Standardised Questionnaires and Functional Assessment
In addition to interviews and observations, you and any available informants will be invited to complete the ABAS-3(Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System) and a range of self-report standardised measures. These tools help assess everyday functioning, executive skills, social responsiveness, and behaviours that may be masked or compensated for over time. This provides a broader picture of how autism traits may present in your daily life.
Comprehensive Psychological Report
After all assessment components are completed, you will receive a detailed diagnostic report that includes:
- A summary of your history and presenting concerns
- Results and interpretation of the ADI-R, ADOS-2, ABAS-3, and other self-report tools
- Diagnostic conclusions (if criteria are met) based on DSM-5-TR
- Functional profile and individualised recommendations
- Suggestions for therapy, workplace/educational supports, NDIS access, or further referrals
This process is tailored to your unique experiences and conducted with a neurodiversity-affirming, respectful, and collaborative approach. The goal is not just to identify autism, but to understand you more fully, beyond any diagnosis.
Please note: At this time, autism assessments for children are not available, as all services are offered via telehealth. Comprehensive autism assessments for children typically require structured, in-person observations to accurately assess social communication, play, and behaviour in a controlled setting. For this reason, we recommend seeking face-to-face assessment services for children to ensure the most accurate and developmentally appropriate evaluation. Adult autism assessments (18+) are still available and can be conducted effectively via telehealth.