ASD Diagnostic Level Review

From time to time, individuals may have received a diagnosis of autism without a level. The NDIS may consider this level when granting a person access to the NDIS scheme. 

The DSM-5 is an important manual for diagnosing people with an autism spectrum disorder. It describes three levels of autism, which range in severity and how much the person needs in daily life. 

 The levels are 

  • Level 1 Requiring support

  • Level 2 Requiring substantial support

  • Level 3 Requiring Very substantial support 

The three levels outline the challenges someone with autism may face with communicating, socialising and behaviour, how it impacts a person's ability to communicate and take care of themselves and how much support a person needs. 

It is important to know that the level a person is assigned when they are first diagnosed can shift as they develop and refine their social skills and as anxiety, depression and other common issues among people with autism change or grow more severe. 

There are a few reasons someone may wish to receive an autism-level review. 

1. Individuals diagnosed before May 2013 (before the DSM-5) may not have a current Level.  Previous versions of the DSM did not include the levels of autism. The versions also categorised and separated conditions such as Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Aspergers Syndrome and Rhett's syndrome, where the DSM-5 now places these conditions under the one category of Autism Spectrum disorders. 

2. If the person's support needs have changed substantially

3. At times, at the time of diagnosis, there is not enough information to provide a level of Autism. 

how do we perform a level review?

We do a clinical interview with the person and their caregiver or support person. This is coupled with completing a clinical scale to determine the person's level and an adaptive functioning assessment to ascertain the level of support required.  We then prepare a written report for you to provide to the NDIS (if applicable). 

fees

Private standard fee $1195
If requested under your NDIS plan, standard NDIS rates will apply.