In Australia, a GP cannot formally diagnose autism themselves, but they are a crucial first step in the assessment process. Your GP's role is to discuss your concerns, provide initial advice, rule out other conditions, and provide a referral to a qualified specialist who can conduct a formal assessment.
If you would like to explore getting an autism diagnosis, the first step is to consult a medical professional, such as a General Practitioner (GP), psychologist or psychiatrist, who can provide some advice, further reading or research and/or a referral. (A referral isn't necessary to get an autism diagnosis though.)
A diagnosis can only be made by a specialist autism diagnostic service. If you or your child show signs that you may be autistic, your GP or medical practitioner should refer you to someone who can carry out an assessment.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own. seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to. finding it hard to say how you feel. taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like "break a leg"
The only way to know for sure if you are autistic is to get a formal diagnosis. The gold standard is to obtain a diagnosis from a psychologist, psychiatrist or similar trained clinician who specializes in ASD, but you may want to start by making an appointment with your primary care physician.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Signs and Symptoms of Borderline Autism
Like all people on the autism spectrum, people who are high functioning have a hard time with social interaction and communication. They don't naturally read social cues and might find it difficult to make friends. They can get so stressed by a social situation that they shut down.
Seven key signs of autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD) often involve difficulties with social communication (like avoiding eye contact or not responding to their name), restricted/repetitive behaviors (like hand-flapping or lining up toys), strong reactions to sensory input (lights, sounds), intense focus on specific interests, distress over changes in routine, challenges with social cues (like sarcasm), and sometimes, delays in speech or pretend play. These signs vary greatly and appear in different combinations, often becoming noticeable in early childhood.
If your child shows any symptoms of autism, you'll likely be referred to a specialist who treats children with autism spectrum disorder for an evaluation. This specialist could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist, a pediatric neurologist, or a developmental pediatrician.
There is not just one cause of ASD. Many different factors have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
If you're concerned your child might be autistic it's important to speak to your GP, health visitor or named person at school. They'll be able to discuss your concerns and provide you with strategies for support. They can also help you access your local neurodevelopmental assessment pathway if appropriate.
An autism diagnosis in Australia costs anywhere from $1,000 to over $3,000+ for adults, depending on the provider, with some specialists charging upwards of $5,000, while children under 25 might get rebates, and some government-funded services offer free assessments for specific groups (e.g., TADS in Tasmania, WCH CDU in SA), but overall costs are significant, with few Medicare rebates available for adult diagnostics.
A: Undiagnosed autism in adults may manifest as social challenges, such as mimicking others or exhibiting rigid behaviors, and sensory sensitivities, like aversions to certain textures. Individuals may also engage in repetitive behaviors and prefer routines, potentially indicating traits on the autism spectrum.
In the United States, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is usually diagnosed in children between 3 and 7 years of age. However, studies have shown that parents usually have concerns about their child's development, especially social development, at or before 18 months of age.
Physical Symptoms:
Do All Autistic People Stim? Common Stimming Examples Do Not Apply to Everyone. Everyone has their own way of dealing with stress, moving their body, engaging their mind, and expressing their emotions because people are unique with individual needs and preferences.
Being mildly autistic often means experiencing social and communication challenges that may not be immediately obvious to others. Common mild autism symptoms include difficulty reading social cues, understanding facial expressions, or forming close relationships.
Top 10 Calming Strategies for Autism
Someone with ADHD is more likely to seek out novelty and make more impulsive decisions, whereas an autistic person is more likely to crave routine and structure.
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
Children with autism may exhibit rigidity, inflexibility and certain types of repetitive behavior such as: Insistence on following a specific routine. Having difficulty accepting changes in the schedule. A strong preoccupation with a particular interest.
Pregnancy spacing may affect odds of ASD. Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may reduce their odds of having another child with ASD if they time a second pregnancy to occur 2.5 to 3 years after the birth of the child with ASD, according to a new study.