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An Autism Diagnosis isn't a Label - it's a Roadmap to Understanding Your Child's World

Timely & Comprehensive Autism Assessments from an Experienced Psychologist Who Truly Understands

Start your Autism journey by calling (07) 3056 0921 or submitting the form below. We'll do our best to respond within 3 business hours.

You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable.

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Why Consider
An Autism Assessment for Your Child

  • Access Essential Supports: A formal assessment can assist with access to supports and therapies. Our reports can be provided to schools as well as allied health providers (e.g. paediatricians, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, etc.)

  • NDIS funding: A formal report is required towards application for funding support through the NDIS

  • Clarity and Understanding: Gaining a deeper understanding of how your child experiences the world can provide valuable insights into strengths, challenges, and the most supportive next steps.

  • Reduce Uncertainty and Anxiety: Understanding autism reduces confusion and anxiety, replacing guesswork with informed and confident decision-making.

• Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individual

Why Families Choose Nurtured Thoughts for Autism Assessments

You deserve clarity. Your child deserves to be seen and understood.

At Nurtured Thoughts, every Autism assessment for children is carefully conducted by Heather, our Clinical Psychologist Registrar. Heather has a special interest in child psychological assessments, offering compassionate expertise to deliver clear, accurate evaluations tailored specifically to your child’s unique needs.

Heather stays informed on the latest autism diagnostic guidelines, research, and evidence-based approaches. Her exclusive focus on assessments allows her to select the most effective tools and provide thoughtful, thorough evaluations.

She aims to give families a deeper understanding of their child's individual strengths, challenges, and needs. With Heather’s tailored support, you can feel confident knowing your child’s assessment is carried out by a professional dedicated to excellence and genuinely committed to supporting your family’s journey.

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• Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individual

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Online or In-Person—Your Choice

Depending on your child’s age, parts of the assessment can be completed either online, in person, or as a combination of both.

5-16 Years

The intake (first) and feedback (last) sessions can be conducted remotely. However, the main assessment must be completed in person to ensure clinical accuracy and meet best-practice guidelines.

16 Years and Older (Including Adults)

If preferred, the entire assessment process - including intake, assessment, and feedback sessions—can be completed remotely using secure, professional platforms.

• Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individual

Our
Step by Step Process. 

Total cost for all steps: $1850

You may choose to have any of the following steps online, in-person (Graceville), or both

Assessment Session (2 hours)

If proceeding, Heather will conduct a detailed two-hour assessment using standardised tools, structured tasks, and discussions to gather a comprehensive understanding of attention, executive functioning, and related areas.

Questionnaires + Report Writing (5 hours)

Questionnaires may also be completed by you and/or key people in your life (such as family members, teachers, or partners) to provide additional perspectives. Heather will then dedicate approximately 5 hours to reviewing the information and preparing a detailed report.

Initial Intake Session (1–1.5 hours)

We begin with an intake session to explore your background, current concerns, and any experiences or traits that may be associated with autism. If it appears unlikely that a diagnosis will be confirmed, Heather will explain this at the outset, allowing you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

Feedback Session (1 hour)

Once the report is ready, we’ll schedule a feedback session to discuss the findings, answer any questions, and outline clear recommendations and next steps.

• Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individuality • Contentment • Empathy • Growth • Integrity • Autonomy • Individual

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. The intake session assists with determining whether to proceed with an assessment and whether other traits or factors should be explored. If this is indicated during the intake, Heather will explain this during the session so that you can make an informed decision about proceeding.

    For youth, the initial appointment is typically completed with parents/caregivers only. This appointment is 1-hour ($225.00).

    For adults, the initial appointment is 1.5hours ($335.00).

  • Yes. Autism is often accompanied by other forms of neurodivergence, mental health experiences and medical experiences. For example, approximately half of individuals who meet diagnostic criteria for Autism also meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

    Anxiety, depression, and physical differences such as hypermobility are also common among neurodivergent people.

    Heather will explore with you whether co-assessing would be beneficial as part of your Autism assessment including any additional costs to allow you to make an informed decision prior to engaging in the assessment.

  • We usually book your feedback appointment about 3 weeks after your final assessment session. This allows time for any additional forms to be returned and for Heather to complete a thorough report.


    If you require a faster turnaround due to other appointments that your report is required for, please advise Heather during your intake. In urgent circumstances (if all forms are returned promptly), the process can sometimes be finalised earlier pending availability.

  • Yes. We offer autism assessments for children aged 5 and above, as well as adults of all ages. Each assessment is carefully tailored to the individual’s age and needs.

  • After your assessment, you will receive a detailed report and have a feedback session with Heather to discuss the results and next steps.

    After an Autism Diagnosis:

     

    • Learning more about how autism shapes your daily life and relationships can be empowering.

    • Many people find that their overall well-being improves once they have a better understanding of themselves through a diagnosis of autism.

    • Therapy can assist in reflecting on life experiences and planning for the future based on your unique strengths.

  • We can assist with any documentation needed to access supports or accommodations.

     

    Our reports include:

    • results from psychometric tools,

    • diagnostic statement per the DSM-5-TR,

    • assessment of functional impact to the individual, and

    • recommendations as appropriate to the individual.

     

    Your report can be shared with your school, university or employer directly. We are happy to assist with additional necessary forms or letters. These may incur an additional cost.

  • Our comprehensive reports utilise NDIS preferred assessments and include:

    • results from psychometric tools,

    • diagnostic statement per the DSM-5-TR,

    • assessment of functional impact to the individual, and

    • recommendations as appropriate to the individual.

     

    We cannot guarantee NDIS funding for you. There are several factors that relate to this; however, important ones to consider are;

    1. Your diagnosis may not be covered under NDIS funding (for example, ADHD is not covered under the NDIS even though individuals with an ADHD neurotype may be experiencing significant impacts on their day-to-day functioning)

    2. The NDIS makes determinants based on an individual’s level of functioning within their environments and other factors outside of your clinician’s individual report. If your diagnosis is one which may be covered under NDIS funding recommendations for the NDIS are included in your report.

    3. If you have additional diagnoses NDIS may also require reports from other clinicians. For example, if you have speech difficulty, NDIS may also require reports from a Speech Pathologist.

     

    We can assist with documentation needed to support applications for NDIS funding, educational adjustments, disability services, or workplace accommodations, however, Heather does not complete NDIS access request forms. Your report can be submitted as part of your NDIS access request or to other relevant services. We are happy to assist with other necessary forms or letters of support. These may incur an additional cost.

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Start your mental health journey by calling (07) 3056 0921 or submitting the form below. We'll do our best to respond within 3 business hours.

You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. You might like to include what you’re seeking support for, what’s helped you in the past, or any concerns you’d like us to be aware of.

At Nurtured Thoughts, therapy is more than treatment, it’s a space to feel seen, understood, and supported. We take the time to get to know you, not just what you’re going through, but who you are. Our care is thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in trust, empathy, and evidence. Because when therapy feels human, healing becomes possible.

We do more than just listen. We help you make sense of it all

You don’t have to face it alone. When you’re ready, we’re here. Step into a warm, supportive space where your thoughts and feelings are understood, respected, and gently explored

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