4/161 Aumuller St, Bungalow QLD[email protected]
NDIS Registered Provider

Comprehensive Assessment

Autism Assessment

A comprehensive ASD assessment that confirms whether diagnostic criteria are met and identifies the level of support needed — so families and schools can plan with confidence.

Get in Touch
Young child concentrating on building with wooden blocks during an autism assessment session
Children & Young People
Up to 25 years for Medicare rebates
Medicare Eligible
With paediatrician referral
Cairns Clinic
On-site assessment & follow-up
Reports in 2-3 Weeks
Comprehensive written report

About

About this Assessment

Our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment confirms whether criteria for autism is met and identifies the associated level (1–3) of support. Understanding your autistic child’s behaviour and support needs helps guide effective strategies at home and school.

The assessment involves administration of a parent interview (ADI-R), direct observation (ADOS-2), and parent questionnaires (SRS-2 and ABAS-3). A full written report of results and recommendations is provided.

A follow-up appointment can be added to review the outcome and discuss steps moving forward, including any recommendations specific to psychological intervention.

Child-friendly therapy room at Caterpillar Clinic in Cairns set up for assessment sessions

At a glance

Service summary

  • Format: Parent interview + child observation + questionnaires
  • Duration: ~3-4 hours total across appointments
  • Report: 2-3 weeks after final session
  • Deposit: $200 non-refundable at booking
  • Follow-up: Optional results & planning session

The Process

What to Expect

A clear, supportive process from your first call through to the final written report.

1

Assessment Components

  • ADI-R — Parent interview (1.5–2 hours) covering early childhood and current behaviours.
  • ADOS-2 — Direct observation with your child (1–1.5 hours).
  • SRS-2 — Parent questionnaire on social interaction and communication.
  • ABAS-3 — Everyday living skills measure to evaluate autism's impact.
2

Preparation

  • Ensure your child is well-rested before the assessment.
  • Continue any regular medications at their normal time.
  • Send through previous reports from school, paediatrician, or other professionals.
  • Review photos or videos of your child aged 4–5 years — many questions focus on this period.
3

Report & Follow-up

A comprehensive written report is provided within 2–3 weeks, including practical recommendations for home and school strategies.

Reports must be paid in full before release. An optional follow-up session reviews outcomes and next steps.

Indicators

Who is this for?

An autism assessment may be helpful if your child shows the patterns listed here across multiple settings (home and school) and they are impacting daily functioning.

  • Ongoing difficulty with social connection — making or keeping friends, joining play, reading social cues.
  • Communication differences — limited back-and-forth conversation, unusual language patterns, difficulty expressing needs.
  • Strong preferences for routine and predictability; distress when changes happen.
  • Intense, narrowly focused interests or repetitive, highly specific play.
  • Sensory sensitivities — strong reactions to noise, touch, clothing, or food textures (or under-responsiveness).
  • Difficulties with emotional regulation — frequent meltdowns, shutdowns, or out-of-proportion reactions.
  • A history of developmental differences (speech delays, motor delays, or early behavioural concerns).

Access & Funding

Referrals & Medicare

Autism assessments are eligible for Medicare rebates with a valid referral, for individuals up to 25 years.

Paediatrician or Psychiatrist Referral

A referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist enables Medicare rebates for individuals up to 25 years.

We can also assess individuals over 25, but rebates are not available in that case.

Direct Referral

Contact us directly to book. Note that direct referrals are not eligible for Medicare rebates, and paediatricians/psychiatrists often prefer to review patients before formal assessment.

$200 non-refundable deposit required at booking. See our Fees & Rebates page for full pricing.

Explore more services

Other ways we support children, families and the people around them.

Cognitive AssessmentLearn more →ADHD AssessmentLearn more →Learning AssessmentLearn more →
← All services

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Autism (ASD) assessment in Cairns — common questions from families.

What age can my child be assessed for autism?
We assess children and young people. Comprehensive autism assessments use the gold-standard ADOS-2 and ADI-R, and a Medicare rebate is available with a referral from a paediatrician or child psychiatrist for individuals up to 25 years of age.
How much does an autism assessment cost in Cairns?
A comprehensive child autism assessment is $1,800, which includes the ADOS-2, ADI-R, SRS-2 and ABAS-3 plus a detailed diagnostic report. A Medicare rebate of $395.80 applies with a valid referral. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required at booking.
Do I need a referral for an autism assessment?
You do not need a referral to book privately. However, a referral from a paediatrician or child psychiatrist is required to claim the Medicare rebate (for children under 18; a psychiatrist referral applies for adults under 25).
What does the autism assessment involve?
It is a multi-method assessment: direct observation with the ADOS-2, a structured developmental interview (ADI-R), social-communication questionnaires (SRS-2), adaptive functioning (ABAS-3), and a full developmental history — followed by a comprehensive written diagnostic report.
Can an autism diagnosis help with NDIS?
Yes. A diagnosis can support access to NDIS funding. Caterpillar Clinic is a registered NDIS provider offering early intervention and positive behaviour support for eligible children.

We're here for
your family.

Caterpillar Clinic specialises in diagnostic assessments and clinical interventions for children and adolescents in Cairns.

Call Us
07 4281 6886
[email protected]
4/161 Aumuller Street, Bungalow QLD 4870
Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 5:00pm
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NDIS Registered

Medicare Rebates

Ahpra Registered

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