Adult Autism Assessment and Support - Tanya Jarrett

---

Please note that Tanya does not complete Autism assessments for NDIS purposes. The below information applies to assessments for self-discovery or other purposes such as workplace or education support or Centrelink related applications.

Below are the steps for an autism assessment for an adult for self discovery purposes. The assessment process can take between 3-5 single appointments. At the conclusion of the assessment, have a choice of a comprehensive report  or a brief letter confirming the outcome of the assessment.

1. Initial intake session to get an understanding of who you are, discuss why you feel you may be Autistic (or others may believe this) and to discuss the next steps. Either during or before your first appointment, you will be sent a number of screening questionnaires. Importantly, a screening of your mental health, social and developmental history will be taken to rule in or rule out other possibilities. 
2. Homework will be given. In addition to the screening questionnaires, you may be asked to type up some narrative about your childhood and teenage years. 
3. Clinical interview. This may take 2-3 single appointments depending on how much information has already been collected. Ideally, if a parent or partner could attend an appointment, or contribute information in some way, this would add valuable information for the assessment process. If this is not possible, that is ok.
4. Confirmation of diagnosis. If you meet the DSM 5 TR criteria for Autism, you can request either a letter stating the diagnosis or a comprehensive report. Many adults do not want a comprehensive report as the assessment process is for their own information only. A full report is useful if another organisation requires it or you would like this for your own records. Additional costs are associated with a comprehensive report.

• Tanya is able to screen for ADHD but recommends referral to a psychiatrist through your GP for follow up - if you would like to explore medication for ADHD. If you will not be pursuing medication or would like a full assessment for ADHD, Tanya is happy to do this as well. The ADHD screening or assessment can be an add on or separate to an Autism assessment. Contact Tanya for details about what might be best for your situation.

Tanya provides assessment and psychological support for diagnosed Autistic and ADHD adults, and adults who are exploring whether they may be Autistic and/or ADHD, including those previously diagnosed under earlier terminology such as Asperger’s.

Autism and ADHD identification can be complex, particularly for women and gender-diverse people. By adulthood, many neurodivergent people have developed sophisticated ways of coping in predominantly neurotypical environments. These may include masking, camouflaging, and compensation strategies — often learned over many years — which can make autistic traits less visible to others and sometimes even to the individual themselves.

Tanya has extensive experience in adult autism and ADHD assessments, with an approach that recognises how masking and adaptation can influence presentation across the lifespan. Adult assessment differs from childhood assessment and requires careful consideration of developmental history, lived experience, and the strategies a person has used to function, cope, or “fit in” over time. 

Some adults choose to engage in psychological therapy following an assessment to better understand their identity, develop compassionate for themselves, reduce self-blame, or make sense of longstanding patterns. Where ongoing therapy is appropriate, Tanya’s work is particularly well-suited to neurodivergent  who are seeking insight-based, reflective psychological support.

Neurodivergent and neurotypical people often experience the world differently, and long-term exposure to environments that prioritise neurotypical norms can contribute to social exhaustion, burnout, and mental health vulnerability for neurodivergent adults. Psychological support may focus on understanding these experiences, strengthening resilience, and developing more sustainable ways of living that align with individual strengths, values, and capacity.

Support is always tailored to the individual, with recognition of both strengths and challenges, and with respect for neurodivergent identity.

The fee for an Autism and/or ADHD assessment is $260 per 50 minute session. The fee is payable per appointment and not a lump sum. 

There is no charge for a letter confirming your identity (diagnosis).

The fee for a comprehensive Autism assessment report is $650 (inclusive of GST). This includes information that was gathered during the assessment process about how you meet DSM 5 TR criteria. 

A 50% deposit is required for the report with the remainder payable at report completion. The report will be finalised within 4-6 weeks upon receipt of the deposit.

No rebates are available for the above assessments. For adults over the age of 25, Medicare rebates only apply to counselling in relation to mental health concerns. Autism is not considered a mental health condition and therefore, rebates cannot be claimed for the diagnosis of adults. If you have private health insurance, you can check if psychology assessments are rebatable.

For counselling support (under Medicare or a privately funded client), the fee is $230 per 50 minute session. See the Counselling and Psychology section for more information about rebates available.