Autism Assessment for Adolescents | Rose Park Psychology
The teenage years bring new social and academic demands, and for some young people, those demands make long-standing differences more noticeable. If you or your teenager has started asking questions about autism, an assessment can offer clarity and a way forward. We understand that journeys are travelled better together.
Rose Park Psychology has supported Adelaide families since 2000. We approach assessment with adolescents respectfully and collaboratively, involving the young person in the process rather than talking around them.
What Is an Autism Assessment for Adolescents?
An autism assessment for adolescents explores how a young person communicates, connects with others, manages sensory experiences, and navigates the social and academic world of the teenage years. It draws on the young person’s own perspective, alongside developmental history and standardised measures.
The result is a balanced understanding of your teenager’s strengths and challenges, and clear recommendations, whether or not the picture includes a diagnosis of autism. A report can also be useful where documentation is needed to support learning adjustments at school.
Why Adolescents Consider an Assessment
Adolescents and their families often seek an assessment when they notice experiences such as:
- Social fatigue, or feeling that friendships and group settings take a great deal of effort.
- A sense of masking or working hard to fit in, sometimes followed by exhaustion at home.
- Sensory sensitivities that affect comfort at school or in busy environments.
- Strong, focused interests and a preference for predictability and routine.
- Anxiety, low mood, or difficulty at school that prompts deeper questions about why.
Understanding what lies beneath these experiences can help a young person make sense of themselves and feel better understood by those around them.
Our Approach
Autism assessments at Rose Park Psychology are completed by Guillermo Garcia Castillo, a psychologist with clinical endorsement who provides assessments for adults and teenagers. He will take time to build rapport with your teenager so the process feels safe and unhurried.
Caitlin Waldie conducts online assessments.
A typical assessment includes a developmental history with parents or carers, direct conversation and structured assessment testing with the young person using validated tools, and, with consent, information from school. We bring this together into a written report with practical recommendations, and can talk with you about neuro-affirming therapy and support if that would help.
We assess teenagers in line with the national guideline for autism assessment in Australia (Autism CRC, 2023), using validated instruments including the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised), together with cognitive and adaptive measures.
Important Information
Funding and Medicare. Medicare rebates generally do not apply to autism assessments. We prefer to explain fees directly, so please get in touch with the clinic for details.
NDIS. For teenagers, a Level 2 or Level 3 autism diagnosis is generally accepted by the NDIS as evidence of disability for access without an additional functional assessment. In contrast, a Level 1 diagnosis may call for further evidence of how autism affects daily life. We can shape the report around the NDIS access criteria. You can check the current NDIS access requirements on the NDIS website.
Who This Is Suitable For
This assessment is suitable for teenagers and their families who have questions about social communication, sensory experiences, or the reasons behind difficulties at school or with peers. If you are not sure whether now is the right time, we are happy to talk it through. No issue is too big or too small.
What to Expect
The assessment usually takes place across a small number of appointments. We aim to involve your teenager as a partner in the process, keep you informed along the way, and finish with a plain-language feedback session. You will receive a written report you can share with your GP, school, or other supports.
Why Choose Rose Park Psychology
- More than two decades supporting Adelaide teenagers and their families.
- An experienced team spanning assessment, therapy and ongoing support.
- A respectful process that brings the young person in as a partner.
- Neuro-affirming support available alongside or after the assessment.
- Clear, practical reports that help at home and at school.
Related Pages
More from Rose Park Psychology that may help: psychological assessments, psychology for adolescents, neuro-affirming therapy, our team.
Speak With Our Team
For an autism assessment for your teenager, or to book a time, phone (08) 8333 0940, or visit our contact page. No issue is too big or too small, and we welcome a chat before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you offer Telehealth appointments?
A: We do offer Telehealth-Neuroaffirming-Therapy.
For many neurodivergent people, online therapy is more accessible and less overwhelming than in-person sessions. It can offer:
- Sensory comfort (your space, your lighting, your sound)
- Flexible communication options
- Reduced time, travel, and unpredictability
- A setting that feels safe, familiar, and yours
We aim to make every telehealth session as neuroinclusive as possible, and we welcome your feedback on what works best for you.
Q: Will my teenager be involved in the process?
A: Yes. We involve young people as partners in their own assessment, at a pace that feels comfortable for them, and we explain each step along the way.
Q: Do we need a referral?
A: You can book without a referral. If a GP or other professional is already supporting your teenager, we are happy to liaise with them with your consent.
Q: Will my teenager receive a diagnosis?
A: An assessment may or may not lead to a diagnosis. Either way, your teenager gains a clear understanding of their profile and useful recommendations; a diagnosis is worthwhile when it points towards a solution.
Q: Does Medicare cover the assessment?
A: Generally, Medicare does not cover autism assessments. Get in touch, and we will talk through fees and what is involved.
Q: Can the assessment be used for NDIS funding?
A: Often, yes. For a teenager with a Level 2 or Level 3 diagnosis, the NDIS generally accepts the assessment as evidence of disability for access; a Level 1 diagnosis may require further evidence of functional impact. We can prepare the report against the NDIS access criteria, and recommend checking the latest requirements on the NDIS website. Get in touch to discuss your teenager’s situation.
Q: What is neuro-affirming therapy?
A: A neuro-affirming approach treats autism and ADHD as natural variation rather than something to fix. For teenagers, it means working with their identity and strengths, easing the pressure to mask, and choosing strategies that fit how they think and communicate. It is the lens our psychologists bring to therapy and support.
Q: What if my teenager also experiences anxiety or low mood?
A: It is common for young people to experience anxiety or low mood alongside other differences. We can talk with you about how our broader psychology services, including neuro-affirming therapy, may help in addition to or after an assessment.
This page offers general information only and is not a substitute for individual advice. Outcomes vary from one young person to the next—Contact Rose Park Psychology to discuss whether an assessment is right for your teenager.
