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 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
- I&CMHS, Ballarat (Infant and Child Mental Health Service - 53203030 - Tina Cocking)
- Private Services (out of pocket fees apply)
- Pinarc (53291398 - Central Intake) 1828 Sturt Street Alfredton
- BEARS (53400500) Bendigo
- Talking Together (0410427129 - Kelly Murphy), 64 Sydney Pde Geelong, website
- Hopscotch & Harmony (97415222), 1/167-179 Shaws Rd Werribee, website
- Public Services
- 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.
- 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).
- AMAZE (formerly Autism Victoria)
- AMAZE list of Grampians accredited autism service providers
- NDIS - see Early Intervention Services page.
- Autism Ballarat - Kris Schimdt 53412768 or 0417413994
- Raising Children Network autism information
- ACT Now Monash fact sheets
- Pinarc Disability Support 53291361 (Rebecca Paton - Parent Support Coordinator)