Autism (ASD) and Cognitive Assessments in Melbourne
Evidence-based autism and cognitive assessments in St Kilda, Melbourne. Appointments typically available within 1 to 2 weeks. No GP referral required. Written reports for diagnostic, workplace, and educational purposes. Telehealth available Australia-wide.
UNDERSTANDING AUTISM
A condition that presents differently in every person.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition involving differences in how the brain processes social information, communication, sensory input, and patterns of behaviour. It is not an illness. It is a different way of experiencing the world.
Because autism manifests differently in every individual, it can be difficult to recognise, and many people reach adulthood without a formal diagnosis. This is particularly common for women, for people with high intelligence, and for those who have developed effective compensatory strategies over many years.
A professional evaluation provides clarity, validation, and access to support that can genuinely improve daily life. If you or someone you care about suspects autism, speaking with one of our psychologists is the most important first step.
WHY GET AN ASD EVALUATION
Replace uncertainty with clarity
Many people who receive an ASD diagnosis describe a profound sense of relief. Understanding that your experiences have a neurological basis removes decades of self-blame and confusion.
Access formal support and accommodations
A written assessment report is typically required to access disability support services, workplace adjustments, and academic accommodations. Without one, access to these supports is significantly harder.
Understand your own profile
ASD does not present the same way in any two people. A thorough assessment maps your specific strengths and challenges, creating a genuine profile rather than a generic diagnosis.
Build a foundation for targeted support
Accurate diagnosis makes intervention far more effective. Strategies can be tailored to how autism specifically manifests in your life rather than based on assumptions.
THE ASD ASSESSMENT PROCESS
From evaluation to a life that fits.
Our ASD assessment pathway is structured to provide an accurate diagnosis and a clear, personalised path forward.
Accurate autism evaluation and diagnosis
Our psychologists conduct ASD assessments using validated psychometric instruments combined with structured clinical interviews and a whole-person perspective. We assess across multiple contexts and draw on developmental history, self-report, and where appropriate, third-party information. A precise diagnosis is the foundation for everything that follows and provides the formal validation many people have spent years seeking.
Personalised management and intervention plan
Once a formal ASD diagnosis is established, your psychologist works with your aspirations and lifestyle to develop a personalised plan. This may include accommodations for work or study, strategies for managing sensory and social demands, referrals to specialist services, and practical support to help you participate and thrive in the areas of life that matter most to you.
Understanding, acceptance, and community connection
A diagnosis can bring clarity and relief, but it can also raise difficult questions. Our psychologists help you understand what an autism diagnosis means for your specific life, address fears or misconceptions, and connect you with relevant community resources and support networks. Acceptance is not a destination. It is an ongoing process we support throughout.
Personal growth and self-advocacy
With the right support in place, our psychologists work to help you recognise and build on your strengths, advocate for yourself in educational and professional settings, and pursue the activities and opportunities that align with your interests and values. An ASD diagnosis is not a ceiling. For many people, it is the beginning of a clearer and more self-directed life.
COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS
Understanding how your mind works.
Cognitive assessments measure intellectual functioning, processing speed, memory, and other cognitive abilities. They are valuable for both students and adults seeking to understand their profile and access appropriate support.
FOR STUDENTS AND TEENAGERS
Personalised education plans
Cognitive assessment results help teachers tailor learning strategies to a student's cognitive profile, improving educational outcomes by working with how they learn rather than against it.
Targeted academic support
By identifying specific cognitive gaps, schools can offer targeted tutoring and accommodations that help students reach their potential rather than fall further behind.
Enhanced self-awareness
Understanding their cognitive profile gives teenagers a clearer picture of their strengths and challenges, building confidence and reducing the self-blame that often accompanies unexplained academic difficulty.
Informed career planning
Insights from cognitive assessments can help guide students toward career paths that align with their genuine cognitive strengths, supporting better long-term outcomes and satisfaction.
Prevention of burnout
Identifying cognitive vulnerabilities early prevents the frustration, anxiety, and disengagement that accumulate when a student spends years struggling without appropriate support.
FOR ADULTS
Understanding cognitive strengths and weaknesses
Adults gain valuable, objective insight into their cognitive functioning, enabling more informed decisions about career development, further education, and personal goals.
Improved work performance
Knowing where you are strongest and where you need support allows you to work more efficiently, delegate or accommodate strategically, and address areas that are holding you back.
Validation of cognitive challenges
Cognitive assessments provide objective evidence for adults facing difficulties that have been dismissed or minimised. This evidence supports applications for workplace accommodations or academic support.
OUR TREATMENT APPROACH
Assessment grounded in neuroscience and genuine curiosity.
Our ASD assessments focus on understanding the core of your experience, not fitting you into a box.
Evidence-based assessment
Our approach is grounded in the science of psychology. We use gold-standard validated diagnostic instruments, comprehensive developmental history-taking, and multi-informant reporting to distinguish ASD from overlapping conditions and provide an accurate, defensible diagnosis.
Personalised care and psychoeducation
Your journey is unique, and our approach reflects that. We invest time in helping you understand what your assessment results mean for your specific life, not just providing a report and moving on. Our accredited psychologists bring years of experience to every case.
Collaboration and genuine commitment
Our psychologists are passionate about working alongside you to co-design a pathway that actually fits your life. We reject directive, prescriptive approaches in favour of a genuine therapeutic partnership built on curiosity about your story.
YOUR ASSESSMENT PSYCHOLOGISTS
Meet the team who conduct ASD assessments.
Rivkah is an AHPRA-registered psychologist with specialist experience in diagnostic assessments for ASD and ADHD across adolescents and adults. Through her Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University, she gained extensive skills in administering psychometric instruments and delivering detailed, accessible reports.
Rivkah takes a neuroaffirming approach to every assessment, ensuring clients feel genuinely understood rather than evaluated. She is known for her warmth, empathy, and commitment to translating assessment findings into practical, meaningful recommendations.
Avi is an AHPRA-registered psychologist whose clinical interests include supporting neurodivergent individuals and delivering thorough, accessible psychoeducational reports. He completed his Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University and has conducted research specifically in the area of ADHD.
Avi takes a strengths-based, client-led approach to assessments, aiming to truly understand the individual rather than produce a number. His reports are designed to answer the questions clients actually have and to be genuinely useful in professional, educational, and personal contexts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about ASD and cognitive assessments.
Yes. Many adults go undiagnosed for decades, particularly those who developed strong compensatory strategies or whose presentation was more subtle. Late diagnosis is increasingly common and can be genuinely life-changing. Our psychologists are experienced in assessing autism across a range of presentations and ages.
Our assessment uses validated psychometric instruments alongside structured clinical interviews and comprehensive developmental history-taking. We may also gather information from a partner, family member, or close friend with your consent. You will receive a written report outlining the findings, diagnostic conclusions, and personalised recommendations.
The assessment typically involves two appointments, scheduled one to two weeks apart. Each session is approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Processing and reporting time means the full process from first session to written report generally takes two to four weeks.
A cognitive assessment measures intellectual functioning, processing speed, memory, and other cognitive abilities using validated instruments. It is often conducted alongside or following an ASD assessment and is particularly useful for students seeking school accommodations, adults seeking workplace support, or anyone wanting a detailed profile of their cognitive strengths and challenges.
Aspects of the ASD assessment process can be completed via telehealth. Some psychometric tools require in-person administration. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and we will advise on what is possible remotely.
The total cost for a full ASD assessment (including sessions and the written report) is from $1,545.90. Assessments are self-funded. Medicare rebates do not apply to assessment fees.
No. You can book directly without a GP referral. A referral is only needed if you want to access a Medicare rebate via a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Our admin team can advise on applicable funding when you enquire.
You receive a comprehensive written report with findings, clinical formulation, and tailored recommendations. Your psychologist walks you through the report in a feedback session and discusses next steps, whether that is ongoing support with us, referrals to other services, or strategies you can act on immediately.
Ready to get clarity?
Book a free intake call to discuss whether an ASD or cognitive assessment is the right step for you. No referral required. Appointments available in St Kilda and via telehealth across Australia.
Please note: we do not offer bulk billing, prescriptions, or immediate crisis response. If you require urgent support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or attend your nearest emergency department.
Autism and ASD assessments available in St Kilda and surrounding suburbs including South Melbourne, Southbank, East Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park, Richmond, Cremorne, South Yarra, Hawksburn, Prahran, Windsor, Balaclava, Elwood, Ripponlea, Toorak, Armadale, Hawthorn, Kooyong, Glen Iris, Malvern, Malvern East, Caulfield North, Caulfield, Elsternwick, Gardenvale, Brighton East, and Brighton.