DR GILL WALKER - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHOTHERAPIST & SUPERVISOR
Autism assessments for adults & children
Many families arrive at an autism assessment after months, or sometimes years, of noticing something, wondering, and not quite having a name for it. You're not imagining it. An assessment doesn't change who your child is, or who you are. It gives you insight, clarity, and a path forward.
What is an autism assessment?
An autism assessment is a structured psychological evaluation that explores how a person thinks, communicates, relates to others, processes sensory information and navigates the world. It draws on multiple sources of information - clinical interview, standardised observation, rating scales, and often information from people who know you well.
The goal isn't simply to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. It's to build a detailed, personalised picture of how you or your child experiences the world - and what kind of support, understanding and accommodations would be most helpful.
Who is autism assessment for?
Signs you might recognise
These vary widely from person to person. You don't need to recognise every one of them - if several feel familiar, it's worth getting in touch.
Assessment may be helpful if you or your child:
For children
Assessment is often sought when parents or teachers notice differences in social communication, difficulty with change or transitions, intense and narrow interests, sensory sensitivities, or emotional regulation challenges that don't seem to fit other explanations.
For adults
Many people reach adulthood without ever having been assessed. You might recognise yourself in descriptions of autism you've read, or have spent years masking and adapting in ways that are exhausting. A late diagnosis can make sense of a lifetime of experiences, and open the door to better self-understanding and appropriate support.
What does the assessment involve?
Autism assessment at INPSYGHT uses gold-standard, internationally recognised tools, selected based on your specific history and circumstances. These typically include:
Assessment also involves rating scales completed by parents, partners or teachers, and a thorough developmental and clinical history. No single tool tells the whole story, a comprehensive assessment considers all the evidence together.
What will I receive at the end
You'll receive a comprehensive written report that includes:
A one-hour feedback session is included -this is where we go through the results together, answer your questions, and make sure you leave feeling clear and supported rather than overwhelmed.
If you are pursuing NDIS access or a review, Gill's reports are written to meet the requirements for formal diagnostic evidence. Please mention this when you enquire so the report can be structured accordingly.
Getting diagnosed as an adult: it's not too late, and it matters
A diagnosis in adulthood can make sense of a lifetime of experiences, careers that felt harder than they should have, relationships that took more energy than expected, a persistent sense of being out of step. Many adults, particularly women and non-binary people, were never identified in childhood because diagnostic understanding has changed dramatically. Late diagnosis is increasingly common, entirely valid, and often profoundly clarifying.
How the process works
Assessment takes place across several appointments and includes a consultation, rating scales, direct assessment sessions and a feedback meeting. A written report is delivered within six weeks. See our full step by step guide here.
Further assessments & resources
Dr Gill SH Walker, Clinical Psychologist,
Fellow, APS College of Clinical Psychologists
AHPRA Psychology Board-approved supervisor
BSc, MSc, PgDip, DPhil, PhD, MAPS,
AHPRA PSY0002115475
Useful links & contact:
Email: referral@inpsyght.net
Phone: (+61) 415 227 200
Address: 6/21 Sydney Road, Manly, NSW, 2095 (By appointment only, no walk ins)
Tue, Wed + Fri 8:30am - 12noon
This practice does not provide crisis or emergency supports. A list of crisis support numbers may be found here.
Connect:
We are an inclusive practice and welcome people of all identities, including LGBTQIA+
InPsyGHT pays its respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging; and acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We strongly support practices that provide culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal clients.
2026 All rights reserved. Privacy | Disclaimer | T&C's