National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism In Australia

Goodall, E., Dargue, N., et al. (2023).

Brisbane (Australia): Autism CRC, 1-151.

This updated guideline provides recommendations on the assessment and diagnosis of autism in Australia.

Autism CRC (Australia)

<div>In the assessment and diagnosis of autism, practitioners should:</div> <ul> <li>provide evidence-based, strengths-focused, culturally sensitive, and neurodiversity-affirming care (Strong Recommendation); and</li> <li>work with individuals, care partners, and other service providers to provide timely, competent care (Strong Recommendation).</li> </ul>

<div>The following are recommendations regarding the foundations of assessment:</div> <ul> <li>The assessment and diagnosis process should include a comprehensive needs assessment and referral for supports (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should have knowledge of common neurodevelopmental and behavioral conditions, necessary skills and experience, and engage in ongoing professional development (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Assessment should occur in the setting most appropriate for accuracy, privacy, and comfort, with telehealth used to complement in-person meetings (Strong Recommendations).</li> <li>Practitioners should collect assessment information by talking to the client, their care partners, and other interested parties as well as through observation and standardized assessment (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should share assessment outcomes, strengths, needs, and support options with the client in a timely manner (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should share information with other relevant practitioners and refer to appropriate support as soon as a need is identified (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should respect clients using their preferred language and terminology, support their emotional and mental health in a safe environment, follow legislative requirements, and ensure clients are aware of support options at each step of the process (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should ensure clients and care partners provide consent, are aware of conflicts of interest, and are aware of how they can provide feedback or make complaints regarding service (Strong Recommendation).</li> </ul>

<div>The following are recommendations regarding referral for assessment:</div> <ul> <li>Practitioners should refer a client for a Comprehensive Needs Assessment and/or a Diagnostic Evaluation when a potential need is identified (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should collect information to understand whether a referral for assessment may be appropriate and desirable (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>When a practitioner receives a referral, they should explain the services they offer, explain costs, schedule an appointment, and collect appropriate information (Strong Recommendation).</li> </ul>

<div>The following are recommendations regarding Comprehensive Needs Assessment:</div> <ul> <li>Practitioners should conduct an Assessment of Functioning when a diagnosis of autism is being considered and, if relevant and appropriate, at multiple points throughout the individual's life (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>The Assessment of Functioning should be conducted by one or more health practitioners with specified medical, nursing, or allied health qualifications (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should collect information that helps understand the client's characteristics, functioning, and context (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should inform the client of support options and provide necessary referrals (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Where findings are consistent with a diagnosis of autism, the next steps in assessment and diagnosis should be initiated (Strong Recommendation).</li> </ul>

<div>The following are recommendations regarding Diagnostic Evaluation:</div> <ul> <li>A Diagnostic Evaluation should be conducted when autism is indicated (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>The Diagnostic Evaluation should involve practitioners with specified medical or allied health qualifications, advanced training, or experience relevant to differential diagnosis (Conditional Recommendation).</li> <li>When a Consensus Team Diagnostic Evaluation is warranted, but the team is in a geographically distant location from the client, a partnership should be initiated between them and one or more community practitioners (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should collate information from all appropriate sources and gather information about relevant social communication and behavioral characteristics (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should account for client characteristics, their impact on functioning, potential gender-based differences, and the impact of psychosocial factors (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should use the current versions of international diagnostic manuals to make diagnostic decisions related to autism as well as their clinical judgment (Strong Recommendation).</li> <li>Practitioners should discuss findings and recommendations with the client, including whether a diagnosis of autism is appropriate, referral for further assessment, or referral for support (Strong Recommendation).</li> </ul>