Autism CRC has partnered with universities and professional organisations to deliver accredited learning opportunities for implementing the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia. Resources to support the implementation of the National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing our autistic children in Australia will be available later in 2023.
On this page, you will find an overview of each of the following learning opportunities and a link to enrolment providers currently available:
Short online course
Designed to support clinicians implementing the Guideline with clinical practice with course enrolment is open to all key clinical professionals supporting individuals and families through autism assessments and diagnosis. Currently available for members and non-members through Speech Pathology Australia and Occupational Therapy Australia.
Watch the video trailer for an overview of the course. Enrol today through your preferred provider using the following links. The course fee is payable directly to the provider.
Australia now has a Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Guideline provides recommendations for consistent, strengths-focused, and evidence-based assessment and diagnosis of autism across Australia.
With funding from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, Autism CRC has developed eLearning modules to support clinicians to understand and implement the Guidelines within their practice.
The modules deliver a consistent overview of the entire pathway for all key clinical professions, including primary healthcare providers such as GPs, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, paediatricians, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
The innovated layout and design allow for self-directed and flexible learning options. Clinicians can tailor their learning based on individual requirements and interests, reflecting the flexibility of the pathway and the roles of key clinical professions.
The learning framework and module objectives help clinicians align their practice with the Guideline recommendations. Content is linked to examples of the Guideline in Practice and learning checkpoints throughout provide opportunities for self-evaluation and reflection.
If you want to learn more, you can find a link to the course through the Autism CRC website or please enquire directly through your relevant college or society.
Microcredentials
Credit-bearing microcredentials are professional units of study that demonstrate your skills, knowledge and experience in a given subject area. This suite of microcredentials will be of interest and value to a range of professionals and other stakeholders, such as allied health and medical professionals who may work with people who may be autistic and/ or who contribute to autism diagnostic assessments in the course of their practice. Professionals who work with and support children, adolescents and adults across settings (e.g., child health nurses, school counsellors, mental health practitioners, youth workers) may also be interested in this suite.
Developed by the Autism CRC, with The University of Western Australia (UWA), the following microcredentials are currently available for enrolment. Course fees are payable directly to UWA.
- Autism: Contemporary diagnostic frameworks
- Principles of Best Practice in Autism Assessment and Diagnosis
- Autism: diagnostic features and assessment approaches in early childhood (0-5 years)
- Autism: diagnostic features and assessment approaches in children (6-16 years)
- Autism: diagnostic features and assessment approaches in older adolescents and adults (17+ years)
- Initiating a referral for autism diagnostic assessment
- Differential diagnosis: distinguishing autism from other neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions
Follow the link above to find out more and register your interest.
Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis
The University of Western Australia (UWA) offers a Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis (GCAD). The course provides graduates trained in psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, paediatrics, or psychiatry with the specialist knowledge and clinical skills to participate in team-based diagnosis of autism.
Resource library
A speech pathology role in an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessment
Podcast: Speech Pathology Australia’s Anneke Flinn speaks with Robyn Stephen, Director and Principal Clinician at Melbourne Child Development, and Speech Pathology consultant at Melbourne Paediatric Specialists. Robyn chats about the speech pathology role in an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessment.
View podcast pageAutism assessment – speech pathology in a consensus team diagnosis
Podcast: Speech Pathology Australia’s Senior Advisor for Disability, Amy Fitzpatrick, speaks with the Autism Assessment Team at Melton Health – Dr Mandira Hiremath – Paediatrician, Joanne Romell – Speech Pathologist, Claire Thorpe – Occupational Therapist and Alex Charalambous – Clinical Psychologist.
View podcast page