Assessment

A General Practitioner can refer a child for more detailed assessments by either a developmental paediatrician or a multidisciplinary team at an assessment centre.

The types of tests requested may include:

• Medical - hearing test, blood tests, chromosomal analysis
• Developmental and family history
• Behavioural observations
• Cognitive testing/adaptive behaviours
• Speech/OT
• Autism diagnostic assessments

However the demand for these services can be great and waitlists can be as long as 12-18 months for government funded assessment centres.

Children can be referred to see a Developmental Paediatrician privately. Developmental Paediatricians have special interest and training in the development of children including how they grow, learn, behave and socialise. Seeing a Developmental Paediatrician privately can be quicker than waiting for an appointment at an assessment centre, however it is also more expensive. A developmental paediatrician may sometimes refer a child for collaborative diagnostic assessment with a Psychologist, Speech Pathologist or an Occupational Therapist. There are newly introduced Medicare item codes for use by paediatricians, psychiatrists, speech pathologists, psychologists and occupational therapists. See the item codes and rebates applicable below.