Autism services index

Pre-referral guidelines for primary care providers

For further information on the diagnosis and clinical information pertaining to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), please see the pre-referral guidelines for autism spectrum disorders.

Assessment services

Assessment for suspected ASD must be undertaken using a multidisciplinary process, either by a single multidisciplinary assessment team, or through individual evaluation from multiple independent practitioners that must include a paediatrician or child psychiatrist (e.g. paediatrician, psychologist and speech pathologist).

  • Multidisciplinary assessment teams
    • Public Services
      • I&CMHS, Ballarat (Infant and Child Mental Health Service - 53203030 - Tina Cocking)
        • Midlands House, 70 Norman Street, Ballarat
    • Private Services (out of pocket fees apply)
  • Individual assessment practitioners
    • Paediatricians in Ballarat can all undertake the medical component of an ASD assessment, either through public paediatric outpatient services, or privately at Paediatrics Ballarat (please do not refer to both sites!).
    • Psychologists undertaking independent private ASD psychology assessments (out of pocket fees apply):
      • Melissa Ferrier (0416141232) 706 Sturt Street, Ballarat
      • Jody Jones (53799281), Psychology 806, 806 Macarthur Street, Ballarat
      • Gabrielle French (53799281), Psychology 806, 806 Macarthur Street, Ballarat
      • Tanya Madsen (0425708057), 910 Doveton Street Nth, Ballarat North
      • Teresa Peers (0447561946), Suite 2, 102 Eyre Street, Ballarat
      • Kristie Austin (0417347276), Horsham & Stawell
    • Speech pathologists undertaking independent private ASD speech & Language assessments (out of pocket fees apply) :
      • Susan Crocker (0419532543), Dana Allied Health, 1013 Dana Street, Ballarat
      • Megan Nestor (0402118164), A Way with Words, 5 Jonathan Court, Brown Hill
      • Anne McCrum (53384540) Ballarat Community Health, 12 Lilburne Street, Lucas
      • Pinarc (53291398 - Central Intake) 1828 Sturt Street Alfredton

Ongoing therapy - allied health services

Ongoing support services can be provided by the following:

Name/Agency (service) Address Phone Notes*
Pinarc Disability Services
(speech pathologist,
occupational therapist, parent support
)
Pinarc (ASD services information leaflet)
1828 Sturt Street, Alfredton
53291398 HCWA
135
Clear Messages
(speech pathologist,
occupational therapist,
psychologist, education advisor,
music therapist
)
602 Darling Street, Redan 43080189 HCWA
135
Connecting Minds
(speech pathologist,
occupational therapist,
psychologist,
education advisor)
Connecting Minds
5 Dawson Street South, Ballarat
53642905  
Implexa Allied Health Services
(speech pathologist,
occupational therapist,
psychologist
)
Implexa Allied Health
2/15 Main Road, Ballarat
0498121618  
Melissa Ferrier
(psychologist)
706 Sturt Street, Ballarat 0416141232 HCWA
CDMP 135
Gabrielle French
(psychologist)
Psychology 806
1328 Sturt St, Ballarat
53799281 HCWA
135
Simone Heeney
(psychologist)
Bromley House
114 Doveton St, Ballarat
53333121 HCWA
135
Janelle Johnson
(psychologist)
Psychology 806
1328 Sturt St, Ballarat
53799281 CDMP
135
Jody Jones
(psychologist)
Psychology 806
1328 Sturt St, Ballarat
53799281 CDMP
135
Tanya Madsen
(psychologist)
Dana Allied Health
1013 Dana Street, Ballarat
53331432 HCWA
135
Ron Tallent
(psychologist)
210 Drummond Street South, Ballarat
 
0420350993  
Susan Crocker
(speech pathologist)
Dana Allied Health
1013 Dana Street, Ballarat
53331432 HCWA
135
Jacqueline Lim
(speech pathologist)
45 Colonial Court, Alfredton 0402882862 135
Victoria Hingston
(speech pathologist)
Dana Allied Health
1013 Dana Street, Ballarat
53331432 HCWA
135
Sue Cameron
(speech pathologist)
On line speech therapy
Therapy Connect (Skype: suecameronwdhs)
0427465820 HCWA
Megan Nestor
(speech pathologist)
A Way with Words
5 Jonathan Court, Brown Hill
0402118164  
Simone Dudley
(occupational therapist)
On line occupational therapy
Therapy Connect
0438816747 HCWA
Emma Farrell
(occupational therapist)
OT Dynamics
PO Box 2BK Black Hill
311 Creswick Rd, Ballarat
53388932 HCWA
135
Inspiring Possibilities
(occupational therapist)
Inspiring Possibilities
Mobile OT to homes & schools
1300845863 HCWA 135
Julie Turner
(occupational therapist)
16 Webster Street, Ballarat 0409431493 HCWA
135
Kristen Schultz
(occupational therapist)
Little Steps Therapy
Horsham
0431556066 HCWA
135
Heather Thewliss
(education advisor)
602 Darling St, Ballarat
651 Mt Elliott Rd, Willaura
0428543014 HCWA
135
Emma Carter
(education advisor)
57 Warrenheip Rd, Warrenheip 0417136517 HCWA
Cassandra Hiscock
(music therapist)
3 Pine View Court, Ballarat East 0418315055 HCWA

* funded for HCWA package and/or 135 - see funding options below

Also see the AMAZE website list of Grampians accredited autism service providers.

Funding options

  • NDIS funding
    • For children 0-6 years a referral to ECEI Central intake is undertaken through the NDIS Local Area Coordinator, LaTrobe Health
    • For children >6 years, the family contact LaTrobe Health directly.
    • Please see the Early Intervention Services page for more information.
    • Please note that not all children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder will qualify for NDIS funding.
  • HCWA package (FAHCSIA funding)
    • The Helping Children with Autism package has now been replaced by NDIS funding in all areas of the Grampians region - see above. 
  • Item 135 or 298 (HCWA "Access to Treatment")
    • This is a Medicare item number your paediatrician (135) or psychiatrist (298) will bill as a once off consultation prior to your child’s 13th birthday.
    • This gives your child access to 20 sessions with allied health providers specialising in the management of Autism Spectrum Disorders (see Allied Health Services above).
    • It allows a Medicare rebate for these services and can be used up until your child’s 15th birthday.
  • Better Access to Mental Health
    • Your GP or paediatrician can refer you under a Better Access to Mental Health or Mental Health Care Plan to access 6 sessions per year (plus an additional 4 sessions if required) for psychologists or occupational therapists specialising in the management of Autism Spectrum Disorders (see Allied Health Services above)
  • Chronic Disease Management Plan
    • Your GP can refer you under a Chronic Disease Management Plan (formerly called Enhanced Primary Care Plan) to access 5 sessions per year for allied health services (excluding psychologists) specialising in the management of Autism Spectrum Disorders (see Allied Health Services above)
  • School services
    • Funding may be applicable for some children diagnosed with an ASD - please see the Community Services index under Education Resources for more information.
  • Carers Allowance and Payment
    • Children diagnosed with an ASD automatically qualify for a Carer's Allowance - forms can be accessed from Centrelink (this payment is not means tested).
    • A Carer's Payment may be granted to families caring for a child with a disability who requires full time care - forms can be accessed from Centrelink (the payment is means tested).

 

Information resources