Children’s Autism Assessments in Sydney
A Clearer Path Forward with Children's Autism Assessment
Experienced, multidisciplinary team of clinicians
Client-centred care tailored to each child and their needs
Evidence-based therapeutic support
Streamlined access to assessments for kids
Signs your Child may Benefit from an Autism Assessment
Autism looks different for every child, but there are patterns that could mean an Autism assessment may be helpful.
Social and Communication Difficulties
Some children may often find it hard to share play and attention with others, make eye contact consistently, respond to their name, use gestures like waving or pointing, or join in reciprocal play.
Repetitive or Focused Patterns of Behaviour
Children may show a strong interest in specific toys or activities, prefer rigid routines, repeat movements or phrases, or become distressed when routines change.
Sensory Sensitivities
Many children experience sensory sensitivities. This might look like reacting strongly to loud noises, certain textures, bright lights or busy environments, or seeking intense sensory input.
Our Autism Assessment Process
Intake
50-minute parent only consult with your psychologist to put together a personalised assessment plan.
Parent Interview
A 2-hour interview to talk about your child’s development.Because of the topics discussed, we require you to leave your child at home.
Child Assessment
A 60-minute observation assessment with your child with activities and games.
Feedback
A 50-minute feedback session after your assessment. You’ll receive a comprehensive report in this session.
Paediatrician Consult
A 50-minute appointment with our paediatrician to review findings and provide any medical endorsement or follow-up recommendations.
David
Team Lead Psychologist
Meet Our Psychologist
David is a registered psychologist with experience in Autism assessment for children and adolescents, working alongside our paediatric and occupational therapy team. With over 10 years of experience, he has training in administering several standardised assessments and providing therapy to young individuals.
What is your job?
I lead a team of people who help others by doing assessments and providing therapy sessions. I teach them, so that they can help you!
What is your favourite part of working with children and families
I love helping busy working parents be more connected with their children.
If you could have any superpower to help with your job, what would it be?
The power of knowing the future – being able to show children and their families the outcomes of their decisions in the present day and in the future
What’s one thing you what to say to parents, carers or families we provide support to?
I’m not a mechanic. I can’t fix you and you are not broken. We all need help sometimes and that’s okay.
Autism Assessments
Our Autism Diagnostic Process
Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder requires a comprehensive, multi-step approach. Our comprehensive autism assessment combines structured observation, clinical interviews, and evidence-based diagnostic criteria. We draw together the observations, interviews, and clinical information gathered across the assessment to build a clear and detailed understanding of your child.
Parent Interview
ADI-R
Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised
The ADI-R is a warm, structured conversation between our psychologist and you. This interview covers your child’s early development, communication, social behaviour and daily life. There are no right or wrong answers, just your experience and insights, which form a vital foundation for an accurate and complete diagnosis.
Clinical Observation
ADOS-2
Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised
During the ADOS-2, your child simply spends time with one of our psychologists, playing, talking, and engaging in everyday activities. Our psychologists will observe their communication, social interaction, and behaviour. The process is unhurried, child-led and carefully designed to bring out the most authentic picture of who your child is.
Diagnostic Framework
DSM-5-TR
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision
The DSM-5 is the globally recognised diagnostic criteria our psychologists use to carefully evaluate all findings. It ensures every diagnosis we reach is thorough, consistent and internationally accepted. Our aim is to give your family a clear and credible foundation for the support ahead.
Why Choose HealthSync Care for Your Child’s Autism Assessment in Sydney
Our multidisciplinary team of allied health therapists, paediatricians and psychologists work with children and families to foster a supportive and collaborative environment. From psychological assessments (including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Cognitive Assessments for children) from assessment through to ongoing therapeutic support, our clinicians help families navigate significant difficulties together.
Get In Touch
We are here to support your child’s development and help your family navigate every step of the journey. Whether you have questions, need more information about our services, or want to schedule a consultation, we are always here to provide the guidance and care your child needs.
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Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Directions to get to us
HealthSync Care is conveniently located to serve families across Sydney, with easy access by car or public transport.
Book now.
Call Us (02) 8378 5704At Health Sync Care we have free onsite parking is available for families visiting the clinic. Many local streets and nearby spots near Norbrik Drive also offer easy short‑stay parking options. Public transport access is also straightforward. The Sydney Metro Bella Vista station is nearby, connecting you to the wider Metro network with regular services. Local bus routes service the area too. We look forward to welcoming you to the practice soon— whether you’re here for an paediatrician, an assessment or paediatric occupational therapy, the HealthSync Care team is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will NDIS pay for a child’s Autism assessment?
Generally, the NDIS does not cover the cost of an initial Autism diagnostic assessment for children. Medicare and the Australian health system are responsible in most cases for an Autism diagnosis. NDIS funding is usually acquired after a diagnosis has been made. The NDIS may fund additional assessments or support to help you meet your goals and improve independence.
How long does a children’s Autism assessment take and what to expect?
A child’s Autism assessment is usually conducted over several weeks in a series of sessions. At HealthSync Care, we break down our autism assessment over multiple sessions.
- Intake: A 50-minute session with a psychologist to build a personalised assessment plan.
- Parent Interview: 2 hours are spent discussing your child’s development without them present.
- Child Assessment: A 60-minute session based on observation-based activities and games with your child.
- Feedback Session: A 50-minute session to go through findings and receive a comprehensive report.
- Paediatrician Consult: A 50-minute session to review all findings from the assessment and get any medical recommendations.
What assessment tools are used to diagnose Autism in children?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often diagnosed in children through a range of different tools. At HealthSync Care, key diagnostic tools that are commonly used include:
- ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised): A detailed caregiver interview about developmental history and behaviours.
- ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule): A structured interaction and observation assessment used in clinical settings.
- DSM-5 Criteria: Clinicians often use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria to determine whether observed traits meet the threshold for ASD.
An Autism diagnosis is not based on a single test; instead, it involves a comprehensive evaluation of information that is gathered from all the above evidence-based assessment tools.
Meet Our Psychologist
David is an experienced paediatric psychologist with over 10 years of experience. He has training in administering several standardised assessments and providing therapy to young individuals.
What is your job?
50-minute consult with your psychologist to put together a personalised assessment plan. We recommend you leave your child at home so we can speak freely.
What is your favourite part of working with children and families
A 2-hour interview to talk about your child’s development. Because of the topics discussed, we recommend you leave your child at home.
If you could have any superpower to help with your job, what wuld it be?
A 60-minute observation assessment with your child with activities and games.
What’s one thing you what to say to parents, cares or families we provide support to?
A 50-minute feedback session after your assessment. You’ll receive a comprehensive report in this session.
David
Team Lead Psychologist
