Autism Assessment Sydney
Comprehensive autism assessments for people of all ages.
Understanding Autism With Confidence
Whether you’re exploring autism for yourself, your child, or a family member, seeking answers can feel overwhelming. At FORME Psychology, we provide comprehensive autism assessments for children, adolescents, and adults in a warm, supportive, and neurodiversity-affirming environment.
Led by a doctoral-trained Clinical Psychologist with experience across public and private settings, our assessment process is designed to provide clarity, understanding, and practical recommendations that support everyday life. We also offer ongoing therapeutic support, designed to help people and families move forward with confidence.
Led by a doctoral-trained Clinical Psychologist with experience across public and private settings, our assessment process is designed to provide clarity, understanding, and practical recommendations that support everyday life. We also offer ongoing therapeutic support, designed to help people and families move forward with confidence.
What is Autism?
Understanding Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that influences how a person experiences, processes, and interacts with the world around them. It is a natural part of human neurodiversity and shows up differently from person to person.
Autism can affect social communication, sensory processing, routines, interests, emotional regulation, and daily functioning. Every autistic person is unique, with their own strengths, challenges, and ways of experiencing the world.
At FORME Psychology, we take a neurodiversity-affirming approach to assessment. Rather than viewing autism as something that needs to be ‘fixed’, we focus on helping people and families better understand their experiences and identify supports that may help them thrive.
Autism can affect social communication, sensory processing, routines, interests, emotional regulation, and daily functioning. Every autistic person is unique, with their own strengths, challenges, and ways of experiencing the world.
At FORME Psychology, we take a neurodiversity-affirming approach to assessment. Rather than viewing autism as something that needs to be ‘fixed’, we focus on helping people and families better understand their experiences and identify supports that may help them thrive.
Signs of Autism
Every person experiences autism differently. Some common characteristics that may prompt an assessment include:
- Difficulties in navigating social interactions
- Challenges in developing or maintaining relationships
- Sensory differences that impact daily life, such as lights and sounds
- A strong preference for routine and predictability
- Deep interests or highly focused areas of interest
- Difficulty coping with change or uncertainty
- Need for repetitive behaviours to provide regulation
- Social exhaustion or masking behaviours
- Feeling different from peers without understanding why
Experiencing these traits does not necessarily mean a person is autistic.
A comprehensive assessment aims to determine whether autism may be contributing to these experiences.
Why Consider an Autism Assessment?
Many people seek an autism assessment because they have questions about behaviours, experiences, or challenges that have never quite been explained.
For adults, this may look like difficulties with social situations, sensory overwhelm, burnout, or a longstanding sense of being different. For children, concerns may arise around communication, friendships, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, or learning.
For adults, this may look like difficulties with social situations, sensory overwhelm, burnout, or a longstanding sense of being different. For children, concerns may arise around communication, friendships, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, or learning.
A formal assessment may help provide:
- Greater self-understanding
- Clarity around lifelong experiences or challenges
- Guidance for support, therapy, education, or workplace accommodations
- Understanding for individuals or families
- Recommendations tailored to individual strengths and needs
- A clearer pathway forward
No waitlist for assessments | fast report turnaround
Who We Support With Our Autism Assessments
At FORME Psychology, we provide autism assessments for new clients across the lifespan.
Children
We support parents seeking answers about their child’s social, emotional, behavioural, communication, or sensory differences.
How this may present:
- Different or uneven social development, or difficulty making and keeping friends
- Emotional outbursts, anxiety, or anger that can feel overwhelming
- Meltdowns or shutdowns in response to change, uncertainty, or stress
- Difficulty following instructions, or appearing resistant when overloaded
- Sleep, eating, or toileting differences
- Repetitive behaviours or self-soothing actions (sometimes called stimming)
- Sensory sensitivities - to sounds, textures, lights, smells, or touch
- Difficulty with organisation, planning, or completing tasks
- Difficulty reading unspoken social cues or understanding others' emotions
- Intense, deep, or highly focused interests
- Tends to interpret language very literally
- Finds eye contact uncomfortable or connects attention in different ways
- Signs of low self-esteem, or a sense of feeling different from others
Adolescents
As social and academic demands increase, autistic traits may become more noticeable. Assessment may help young people better understand themselves and access appropriate supports.
How this may present:
- Struggles with managing emotions - including anxiety, low mood, or anger
- Meltdowns or emotional shutdowns, particularly under pressure or after masking
- Difficulty following rules or instructions, especially in unpredictable environments
- Strong preference for routines; significant distress when these are disrupted
- Easily overwhelmed by noise, lights, crowds, or unpredictable sensory environments
- Difficulties with organisation, planning, or executive functioning
- Finds it hard to read unspoken social expectations or attune to others' feelings
- Deep, specific interests that provide real meaning and focus
- Tends to interpret language literally; may miss implied meaning or sarcasm
- Finds eye contact uncomfortable or socially draining
- Feelings of low self-worth, social exhaustion, or a persistent sense of not fitting in
- Signs of masking - working hard to appear "normal," followed by exhaustion or withdrawal
Adults
Many adults seek assessment later in life after recognising patterns that may have gone unnoticed throughout childhood.
How this may present:
- Difficulty regulating emotions - frequent frustration, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm
- Meltdowns or shutdowns, especially after extended periods of stress or masking
- Strong reliance on routines; change can feel destabilising or distressing
- Sensory overload in busy, noisy, or unpredictable environments
- Difficulty staying organised, managing time, or completing everyday tasks
- Challenges understanding others' unspoken expectations or reading emotional cues
- Deep, all-consuming interests that bring significant meaning or expertise
- Interprets language literally; may find unspoken social rules confusing or exhausting
- Finds eye contact uncomfortable or socially effortful
- Longstanding feelings of low confidence, self-doubt, or feeling fundamentally different
- Chronic exhaustion from masking or camouflaging - often called autistic burnout
- History of late or missed diagnosis, particularly in women and gender-diverse individuals
We understand that autism can present differently across genders, ages, and life stages, and our assessments are tailored accordingly. Our goal is to create a safe, supportive assessment experience where people feel understood rather than judged.
An Evidence-Based Approach to Autism Assessment
At FORME Psychology, assessments are completed by a doctoral-trained Clinical Psychologist with experience in both general psychology and neurodivergence. This allows us to consider the whole person, not simply a checklist of symptoms.
Our approach is:
- Neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-focused
- Evidence-based and aligned with current clinical guidelines
- Warm, supportive, and collaborative
- Suitable for children, adolescents, and adults
- Designed to provide meaningful recommendations, not just a diagnosis
Unlike clinics that focus solely on assessment, we also offer ongoing therapy and support, allowing clients to continue their care journey with a practitioner who already understands their unique needs. This integrated approach helps reduce the need to retell your story and supports continuity of care.
Our Autism Assessment Process
1. Contact Us
Reach out via email or phone to book a private autism assessment. We will guide you through the process and answer any questions.
2. Screening Questionnaires
You will be asked to fill out some screening questionnaires to understand autistic traits and day-to-day experiences, including any co-occurring differences (such as anxiety or low mood).
3. History and Background Information
For adults, we will seek your consent to review developmental history and relevant records to support an accurate assessment. When it comes to children, we liaise with schools to collect valuable observations and insights. This often helps us understand behaviour across home and school settings.
4. Developmental Interview
We conduct this developmental interview online with parents, carers, partners, family, or someone who knows the adult or child well. This structured clinical interview explores developmental and family history and behavioural patterns, helping differentiate autism from other conditions and guide personalised support planning.
5. Autism Assessment
Our autism assessment includes the ADOS-2 or the MIGDAS to evaluate social communication and interaction, restricted interests and repetitive patterns, and sensory processing differences.
6. Additional Observations and Clinical Judgement
Our clinicians integrate questionnaire responses, interviews, and MIGDAS or ADOS observations with clinical judgement to provide a comprehensive understanding of strengths and challenges.
7. Report Preparation
We deliver a detailed, evidence-based report outlining assessment findings, diagnosis (if applicable), and personalised recommendations for support.
8. Feedback and Ongoing Support
We schedule a 60-minute feedback session to discuss results and next steps. Ongoing therapy and support options are available, and we can refer you to trusted clinicians and services if needed.
No waitlist for assessments | fast report turnaround
Autism Assessment Adults and Children (Age 5+)
Our private assessments follow DSM criteria, ensuring high-quality, professional care.
Autism-only assessment:
$3,000
Combined Autism and ADHD assessment:
$4,000
Meet Your Psychologist
Dr Bernadette Maunick, DPsych (Clinical), MAPS
Dr Bernadette Maunick is an AHPRA-registered and endorsed Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years' experience in mental health, supporting children, adolescents and adults across Australia and the United Kingdom.
Her clinical training was undertaken in Australia, where she has worked across public and private settings, gaining extensive experience in adult mental health and child and family services. She brings a breadth of clinical experience and a depth of therapeutic skill to her private practice in Sydney.
Her work is grounded in evidence-based, integrative therapy, including CBT, ACT, CFT, DBT, Schema Therapy, delivered within a warm, collaborative therapeutic relationship.
Dr Maunick is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and College of Clinical Psychologists and is committed to helping each client move towards meaningful, lasting change, at a pace that feels right for them.
Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment with Dr Maunick
Ongoing Support Beyond Assessment
For some people, assessment provides the answers they have been seeking. For others, it marks the beginning of a broader support journey.
FORME Psychology also provides therapy and ongoing psychological support for autistic adults, children and adolescents. Following assessment, we may work with you to develop practical strategies, improve well-being, navigate life challenges, and build on existing strengths.
FORME Psychology also provides therapy and ongoing psychological support for autistic adults, children and adolescents. Following assessment, we may work with you to develop practical strategies, improve well-being, navigate life challenges, and build on existing strengths.
Your Autism Assessment Questions Answered
No. You can book an autism assessment directly with FORME Psychology without a referral. However, if you're under 25, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate, which requires a referral from a GP or paediatrician to access.
The timeframe varies depending on the person’s age, presentation, and circumstances. The assessment process typically involves an initial consultation, information gathering, assessment sessions, a feedback appointment, and preparation of a comprehensive report. During your initial consultation, we’ll explain the expected timeframe and next steps.
Not receiving an autism diagnosis does not mean your experiences are any less valid. The assessment process may still provide valuable insights into your strengths, challenges, and support needs. Where appropriate, recommendations for further assessment, therapy, or alternative supports may be discussed.
Yes. Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur, and many people experience characteristics of both. During the assessment process, we consider the possibility of overlapping or co-occurring neurodevelopmental differences to ensure a thorough understanding of each person’s experience.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re seeking answers for yourself, or a family member, our team is here to help you navigate the process with warmth, clarity, and evidence-based care.
Book an introductory call with FORME Psychology to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and learn whether an autism assessment may be right for you.
