Information about Autism Spectrum Disorders (including autism and Asperger syndrome) diagnosis, referral and available supports.
On this page:
What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Asperger syndrome
Diagnosis and referral to support services
Support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders
What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Autism Spectrum Disorders is the term used to refer to both autism and Asperger syndrome.
Autism
People with autism have difficulties with communication and social interaction and display restricted repetitive patterns of interest and activity. Autism is thought to be present soon after birth, with the characteristics of the disorder becoming apparent in the first three years of life.
Around 75 per cent of people with autism also have intellectual disability. The remaining 25 per cent of affected people may have impaired insight, social functioning and communication skills but do not have intellectual disability or significantly reduced cognitive ability. This status is called ‘higher functioning autism’. A small number of people with higher functioning autism may have extraordinary creative or artistic skills and abilities.
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Asperger syndrome
People with Asperger syndrome have social deficits and restricted patterns of interest and activity similar to people with autism. However, they do not have intellectual disability and the development of their language and cognitive skills appears to be normal, at least in the first two years of life. Professional and practical experience indicates clearly, however, that people with Asperger syndrome have disordered language and specific learning difficulties.
Formal recognition and diagnosis of Asperger syndrome usually occurs later than for autism. It is thought that it is probably because the person’s social deficits don’t become apparent until they spend time in social settings, such as kindergarten or school.
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Diagnosis and referral to support services
There are three options for diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in South Australia - contact the Child Development Unit or Child Assessment Team at:
There may be a waiting list.
Contact Autism SA Diagnostic services. Phone the Autism SA Info Line on 1300 288 476. There may be a waiting list.
Arrange a diagnostic assessment from a suitable private practitioner (child psychiatrists and paediatricians). For a list of practitioners, phone the Autism SA Info Line on 1300 288 476.
Medicare rebates are available for diagnostic assessments for children under the age of 13 years. For more information, phone the Autism SA Info Line on 1300 288 476 or Medicare on 132 011.
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Support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Find out about support and services available for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders on our other pages:
Some approved organisations also specialise in information and support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders:
- Autism SA has many programs and activities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families. For more information or to register, contact:
Autism SA
Phone 8379 6976
The Info Line, 1300 AUTISM (1300 288 476) - Flinders University Early Intervention Research Program provides intensive intervention to children aged one to four years with Autism Spectrum Disorders, or those at risk of developing a disorder.
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