Autism Assessment Pathway for Children

A clear, step-by-step pathway from Psychology Assessment to Diagnostic Assessment to Next Steps

At Health in Mind, our Autism Assessment Pathway is designed to help families understand their child’s strengths, differences, and support needs through a structured, step-by-step assessment process that involves both psychology and paediatric care.

It begins with a comprehensive psychology assessment at Health in Mind, followed by a diagnostic assessment with our in clinic paediatrician, and then a final feedback and recommendations session at Health in Mind.

This pathway may be helpful if you are:

Seeking clarity about your child’s development and support needs
Looking for a structured assessment process
Wanting guidance on appropriate next steps and supports

Some children referred for assessment do not ultimately receive an autism diagnosis. The purpose of this pathway is to provide clarity and informed next steps for families.

How our pathway works

Step 1: Psychology Assessment at Health in Mind

All families begin with a comprehensive assessment conducted by our Clinical Child Psychologist, Dr Linthoi Akoijam.

This assessment builds a detailed understanding of your child’s development, learning, behaviour and day-to-day functioning.

The assessment process may include:

Clinical interviews with parents and your child
Developmental and educational history
Behavioural observation and functional assessment
Use of structured assessment tools where clinically appropriate
Liaison with school or other professionals (with consent)

This stage helps clarify your child’s profile and whether progressing through the full autism diagnostic pathway is appropriate.

Step 2: Diagnostic Assessment with Our Paediatrician

If the pathway continues, families are referred to our paediatrician for an independent diagnostic assessment.

A GP referral is required for this step.

The paediatrician completes the diagnostic component required for a formal autism diagnosis and access to relevant supports.

Step 3: Feedback and Next Steps at Health in Mind

After both assessments are completed, families book a feedback session at Health in Mind.

This session includes:

Explanation of assessment findings
Discussion of the final outcome
Practical recommendations for home and school
Guidance around supports and next steps

Ready to take the next step?

Enquire about the Autism Assessment Pathway and our team will guide you through the next steps.

We’ll explain how the pathway works, answer your questions and help you understand how to get started.

You can call us on (08) 6183 1908 or complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.