NDIS Autism Assessment Springfield
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The State of Autism Cases in Australia
Studies by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Disability, and Ageing Carers (SDAC) have shown that at least 164,000 Australians had Autism in 2015. This means that for every 150 Australians, there is 1 person with Autism. As of today, the cases of Autism in Australia are still increasing.
Indeed, the high percentage of Autism cases is very alarming but it does not necessarily mean that it is a bad thing. For instance, because of our technological advancements, it is now easier to detect Autism at a younger age and it is now more accurate than ever thus giving us a higher number of reported cases. For some, it may be bad news, but for psychologists, it is an advantage that autism can be detected accurately and as early as possible. This gives the patient a chance to recover and to apply for therapies as young as they are.
What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition where a person experiences persistent challenges with their skills in social interaction, behaviours, and speech and non-verbal communication. Different people with ASD have varying levels of severity. Some have a single symptom while others have multiple symptoms, and some cases of ASD are harder to detect. However, the characteristics of ASD only fall into two categories:
Social Interaction and Communication Problems
This includes difficulties in socialising with other people. A person with ASD may have difficulty with exchanging words and ideas during a conversation, difficulty sharing emotions and reading social cues like facial expressions, and challenges in developing any type of relationship.
Restricted and Repetitive Patterns of Behaviours, Interests, or Activities
This includes having uncommon behaviours like hand-flapping and toe-walking, speaking with odd patterns or pitches, having uncommon interests for a child’s age, differences in sensory aspects such as sense of smell, taste, pain, vision, etc.
All the symptoms above may be easier to detect when a child only manifests 1 symptom. However, there are instances that there will be multiple symptoms in one child or the severity level is only low which makes it more difficult to detect. With technological advancements, psychologists are able to develop many types of assessments that can detect single or multiple symptoms of ASD.
Types of Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
There are many types of assessment for ASD and majority of which are upgraded versions of the previous one. Because of technology and medical advancement over the years, the assessments are now more precise and effective in detecting conditions of ASD. However, there is no 100% accurate test and some may not apply to some types of patients. This is why there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all type of assessment. As a result, patients are taking multiple types of assessments to make sure that all symptoms are identified. There are five main types of assessments used widely today:
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers or M-CHAT
Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales or CSBS
The Ages and Stages Questionnaire or ASQ
Screening Tool for Autism in Toddler and Young Children or STAT
Parent’s Evaluation of Developmental Status or PEDS
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)
This is a type of test for the parents that evaluates their children’s behaviour. It includes 20 questions that aim to evaluate toddlers between 16-30 months of age and is used to identify whether the toddler needs further evaluation or if the toddler is at risk of having ASD.
For low-risk patients, the average score ranges from 0-2 points. For moderate-risk patients, the scores are within the 3-7 range. While the high-risk patients score within 8-20 points. High-risk toddlers are advised to take additional tests to verify the possibility of the toddler having an ASD.
Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales (CSBS)
This type of assessment is used to identify communication delays and impairments for toddlers.
CSBS screen both communication skills and indicators of symbolic development, including facial expressions, gestures, and play behaviours in toddlers. This type of assessment is conducted as early as possible even though there are still no signs of any ASD because early identification of language and communication disorders is crucial even for toddlers without ASD.
The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
The ASQ is a simple and fun type of assessment for children. Aside from using ASQ as a detection assessment for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), ASQ also serves as a developmental screening assessment tool for toddlers. It highlights the child’s strengths and concerns regarding development. It is a fast type of assessment while being highly valid, reliable, accurate, and cost-effective.
Screening Tool for Autism in Toddler and Young Children (STAT)
This type of assessment is empirically derived and is used to screen autism in children between 24 and 36 months of age. Parents use STAT as an assessment for ASD or early intervention for ASD, prior to a definitive diagnosis of ASD. This type of assessment is also very helpful for professionals working with young children in assessment or intervention settings.
STAT differs from other screening tools because it is designed as a Level 2 screener, and it is also designed to be as playful and fun as possible. It is also used by a wide range of community professionals to enhance community awareness of the early signs of Autism.
Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS)
There are many variations for this type of assessment: PEDS, PEDS-R, PEDS:DM, PEDS:DM-AL, and PEDS online. However, the main goal is the same - to elicit and address parental concerns about the children’s development. It is a simple 10-item questionnaire for the parent of the child.
Autism Assessment in Springfield
With the rising cases and awareness for Autism in Australia, it is a great decision to apply for an assessment with Positive Moods, may it be for assessment or prevention of severe ASD. Positive Moods can help Springfield citizens and residents apply for NDIS if they will need it in the future. Additionally, Autism assessments can be done online or through a walk-in appointment, depending on the type of test.
For more details on NDIS Autism Assessment, citizens and residents of Ipswich who are suffering from ASD, may call Positive Moods on 1300 001 470, email at ndis@positivemoods.com.au, or fill up the contact form on https://www.positivemoods.com.au/contactus. Learn more at our FAQ