Autism Assessment Sydney
Comprehensive autism assessments for children and young people.
Understanding Your Child 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.
What is Autism?
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
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 children, concerns may arise around communication, friendships, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, or learning.
A formal assessment may help provide:
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
For many people, assessment is less about obtaining a diagnosis and more about gaining insight and understanding.
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.
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.
Adults
Many adults seek assessment later in life after recognising patterns that may have gone unnoticed throughout childhood.
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:
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 Child Autism Assessment Process
1. Contact Us
If you suspect that your child has autism, contact our psychologist 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 your child's day-to-day experiences, including any co-occurring differences (such as anxiety or low mood).
3. School Input
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 or carers. This structured clinical interview explores early development, behavioural patterns, and family history, 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.
Autism Assessment Costs for Children (Age 5+)
Our private assessments follow DSM criteria, ensuring high-quality, professional care.
Autism-only assessment:
$2,500 - $3,500
Combined Autism and ADHD assessment:
$3,500 - $4,000
Meet Your Psychologist
Dr Bernadette Maunick, DPsych (Clinical), MAPS PhD
Dr Bernadette Maunick is a registered Clinical Psychologist and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) and its College of Clinical Psychologists. Dr Maunick completed her Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) at Deakin University in Melbourne.
Dr Maunick works with clients across the lifespan, supporting concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, burnout, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. She has experience across private and public mental health settings, including hospitals and private clinics.
Drawing on evidence-based approaches, Dr Maunick creates a warm, collaborative space where clients can understand how past experiences shape the present and build practical skills for everyday life.
Dr Maunick works with clients across the lifespan, supporting concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, burnout, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. She has experience across private and public mental health settings, including hospitals and private clinics.
Drawing on evidence-based approaches, Dr Maunick creates a warm, collaborative space where clients can understand how past experiences shape the present and build practical skills for everyday life.
Ongoing Support Beyond Autism 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 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 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 your child or teenager, 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.
Book an introductory call with FORME Psychology to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and learn whether an autism assessment may be right for you.
Book now
