We understand the concerns many parents and carers experience when their child is showing signs of developmental delay or a possible neurodevelopmental condition such as autism or ADHD.
You may be feeling scared and uncertain about what the future may hold. These feelings are completely normal. That’s why it’s important to speak to your doctor or other medical professional about your concerns .
Knowing more about your child’s development and needs helps you support them better. It also may provide them with access to different kinds of help including early intervention, support at school, therapies, and more.
The pathway to pursuing a diagnosis for your child can feel like a long and often frustrating journey but Kiind is here to support you along the way. To help you feel more prepared, we’ve put together this guide to explain the diagnostic assessment process for a neurodevelopmental condition.
Visit your GP or Child Health Nurse
If you’re having any concerns about your child’s development, the first thing to do is make an appointment with your GP or Child Health Nurse.
During the visit, the GP or Child Health Nurse will ask about your child’s developmental milestones, observe their behaviour, and may conduct a basic physical exam.
If they notice signs of a neurodevelopmental condition, they may refer your child to a paediatrician or child psychiatrist for further assessment (please note, both these services may have considerable wait times).
Depending on your circumstances, they may refer you to one of the following services:
- Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) with multiple locations across the state
- The Aboriginal Health Team
- WA Country Health Service (WACHS) for regional access
- Child Development Service (CDS) for metro services
If you don’t receive a referral during this appointment, you can also self-refer to these services (keep reading to find out more).
Public vs. Private
There are two main pathways for accessing assessment services: the public or private systems. We’ll explain how each system works and what they provide to help you decide which option is best for your family.
The public system
You can access the WA public health system through a referral to the CDS or WACHS. While free if you have a Medicare card, there are significant wait times. If after a while you don’t hear back from the CDS, it’s a good idea to contact them again to ask about your child’s place on the wait list.
The public system also provides the Neurodevelopmental Disability Assessment Service (NDAS) for children aged up to 17 years. This service aims to empower children and their families to understand their functioning, participation and wellbeing.
For eligible children aged 0-6 years, the current wait time is up to 12 months. If your child is over 6 years, you could possibly be waiting up to 24 months.
In order for your child to receive a diagnostic assessment for autism or intellectual disability from this service, you must have a referral from a paediatrician or child psychiatric. The process will also be easier if you have a signed consent form at the ready. Click here to find out more.
The private system
There are many private clinics that specialise in neurodevelopmental assessments. They offer faster appointments but at a cost. Your child may also be eligible for a Medicare rebate for an autism or complex neurodevelopmental condition assessment. However, they do require a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist in order to apply. Click here to find out more.
You can find a list of available private clinics through Perth Kids Hub and the Public Autism Assessors Directory (WAADF).
The Autism Diagnostic Clinic
This is a clinic that’s run by the Autism Association of WA. The assessments are typically conducted a multidisciplinary team which can include a specialist consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologists and speech pathologists.
For an early assessment for children aged 2-7 years, you will need a referral from a paediatrician. If your child is aged 8-18 years, a GP or other medical specialist can provide the referral.
All referrals will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the clinical team, and you may be advised of an alternative pathway more suited to your child’s individual needs.
While not free, the cost of an assessment through this clinic is heavily subsidised.
Self-referral options
If you don’t receive an initial referral from your GP or Child Health Nurse, there are still other services you can self-refer to including the CDS and WACHS. Click here to download the self-referral form for the CDS. If you live regionally, find your closest CDS office here and contact them directly to ask for support.
If your child is aged 0-6 years with signs of developmental delay, another option is to self-refer to the Early Child Approach (ECA) through Wanslea. This program is paid for by the NDIS and they have a team of early childhood teachers and therapists who may be able to support your child. Find out more here.
The assessment process
The diagnostic process is often carried out by a multidisciplinary team including a paediatrician (or child and adolescent psychiatrist), a psychologist, and a speech pathologist. However other allied health professionals such as occupational therapists may provide input if required.
The assessment generally involves a:
- Functional Assessment: A health professional will ask you and/or your child questions about their early years and learning, speech and language, daily living skills, friendships and school. This will assess their abilities and support needs and identify if they have any developmental delays.
- Diagnostic Assessment: If your child doesn’t have a medical condition that is affecting their development, the assessment team will conduct interviews and observe your child for signs of autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions.
What to do while waiting for an assessment
While waiting for an assessment can be a challenging time, it’s important to know that a formal diagnosis is not required to access some support services.
From playgroups, parent training workshops, to the Early Childhood Approach, there are plenty of supports out there that can help your child thrive. You can see more options here.
After the diagnosis
Once the diagnostic assessment is completed, the assessment team will discuss their findings with you and provide recommendations for interventions and support. This usually takes place a few weeks after the initial assessment.
We know how overwhelming this can feel, so Kiind is here to support you through this time in your family’s lives.
To start we suggest reading our First Steps booklet or The Roadmap to Healthy Kids for First Nations families, both of which will help explain this new world of disability and the available supports and services.
You’re also welcome to explore more of our resources or reach out to our Peer Navigators for practical guidance and assistance through our free Pathway Planning sessions. Click here to book a session with us.
