Why is this urgent?

It may be difficult for you thinking your child might be on the autism spectrum. This can lead to an avoidance of testing. Yet your teen is growing into beautiful adults and understanding this problem may lead to far better, stable, and exciting outcomes- in short, more LIFE! They are many benefits of determining sooner rather than later:

•  You and your teenager find the help and support you need.
• At school, staff have much better understanding of your child’s needs, and this may lead to better support.
• Your teen may have a better sense of self-worth as they understand there is a valid explanation for their experience. They may have more confidence knowing they are part of a larger group of teens on the spectrum!

Getting the diagnosis

To find an assessment, you have a few options:

• Contact your state or territory autism association.
• Talk to a qualified health professional with experience in this field. To find such a professional, make an appointment with your GP.
•  Refer your teenager for an assessment yourself.

To find an autism support service provider in your local area, visit this page.
For adults, you may want to read about getting a diagnosis for adults (over 18).