Getting Diagnosed in Australia

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I was hoping that some of the Aussies here would help answer some questions I have about diagnosis.

Due to my min-breakdown on the weekend, I have realised that I need to see a pysch sooner rather than later and that whilst getting help for my anxiety and other issues it would probably be worth exploring to see if I do have AS, as it might explain much about what is going on with me.

Do I need to see a special kind of pysch to get assessed for AS? I have had a look around online and the specialist autism groups seem to charge about $1000 for an assessment which is really out of my price range. Can I see an ordinary pysch?

Who did people see here when they were diagnosed? Especially interested in hearing from women as it seems that we present rather differently from men and what is the mainstream thinking about AS.

I have no idea whether this practice is any good, or how much they cost, but they do specialise in Asperger's syndrome and they are located in Sydney:

http://www.otherhalf.com.au/

Unfortunately, this clinic is at the opposite end of Sydney from where I am and not particularly accessible by public transport. But still handy to know about. Thanks.

Good luck.

My advice: Get diagnosed by a psychiatrist, because it ain't official until they diagnose you. Get a referral from your GP and he/she could recommend a good one for you. Just ask them to find you an ASD specialist.
You can come down to Wollongong and see Jim Heiner, my psychiatrist. He's supposed to be the Tony Attwood of the Illawarra region.

Go to an ASD specialist. Do not waste your time with a non-specialist as they do not understand the spectrum and the variant presentations at the AS end of the spectrum. I was told by one psych I could not have AS because I was a woman!! I went to a specialist clinician finally and was properly and thoroughly diagnosed.

Julie Peterson in Sydney runs the ETOH clinic. Her husband has publicly stated his own ASD and Julie seems good, although I cannot speak for the other clinicians at her practice. SHe helped run the forum day for women and girls last August and seemed to know her stuff.
the ASPIA website has a list of clinicians in various states.
if you are in Brisbane go to Minds and Hearts. Michelle Garnett is REALLY good in my opinion. And very kind and compassionate. As is Tony Attwood, although both of them have closed books and you may need to see their assistant clinicians - all of whom I believe are very good. The good thing about MInds and Hearts is that they actually listen to us - the AS community and confer with us regarding approaches, ideas and input. That is a good thing.
The Gold Coast has Stephen Underwood at the Kingfisher Rooms in Bundall.
Also, if you contact Asperger Services Australia and speak to Stef Evans, she can give you a good list of clinicians around the country. They are a great voluntary org.

good luck

Thanks for everyone's advice. I will talk to my GP and see what she recommends. I would like to go to EOTH but they are so far away from where I am and I'm worried about taking time off work to deal with all of this.

[quote="pensieve"]My advice: Get diagnosed by a psychiatrist/quote]

Good idea!

I'm generally cynical about psychologists, though - I don't think I've ever gotten along with them! I respect & like Tony Attwood's writings a lot, though. I believe Michelle Garner in Bris Vegas is lovely too, and also Dr. Hui Lim in Brisbane. I've emailed with both those ladies.

Hey Brennan, I'm in Sydney too. I'm in a similar situation with getting diagnosed. It's important to do well - so important (& hard to find a specialist) that if I were you I'd consider it well worthwhile travelling a little out of your area.

Maybe we can message or meet sometime! pm me if you're interested in talking more

I first got diagnosed by a psychologist but I wasn't official until I got diagnosed by a psychiatrist. It's just how things work in Australia I guess. The psychologist was experienced enough and did a thorough (4 months) evaluation, the psychiatrist ask me a few questions and within an hour was recommending me to go on disability so I didn't have to stress about looking for work.

Dr Garner is a very wonderful and passionate person, if you can see her I would highly reccomend doing so.

Wow, that is a thorough evaluation! Excellent.

(hope you don't mind me quoting you here pensieve)

I had no idea that it could be not official until done by a psychiatrist.

I'm put off by the costs & waiting lists -

Anyway, I'm just trying to make sure my needs are met as i've just started school again & I'm having trouble at the moment with having to wade through large crowds & so much contact time on campus. The disability service may help but I have to have documentation ..

At the end of the day, I get frustrated with things like this and usually think well it's just quicker for me to sort out my own issues with the aid of places like WP and wonderful people who themselves have AS.

Like, if I know my timetable, can prioritise my time & use headphones or something, keeping my eyes down, in the crowd, then I can probably cope as best as I'll be able to with the help of Disability Services anyway.

I know this is a couple of months old, but;

I saw Dr. Peterson (Embracing The Other Half) on the recommendation of the attending physician at the psych ward in my local hospital after a breakdown. I was helped with my psychological and emotional challenges, and diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

I can't recommend her enough.

NB: Get a mental health care plan from your GP for Medicare rebate on sessions.

hey, zobier.

saw your post. I've seen Dr Petersen fairly recently too, and feel much the same way about my experience.

Maybe that's why Centrelink have forced me to look for jobs I'm never going to get, and live off even more of a pittance. (And in Queensland, dole recipients have pay full fare on public transport. Meanwhile, drugged-up degenerate breeders and African "refugees" get concession fares.) Thankfully the disability employment agency I'm registered with are fairly good, and managed to get me a casual job with a printing company; the work fits like a glove, and the people there are way cool. (Hopefully more hours will become available, though!)

On 2 June 2003, I had a diagnostic assessment by Michelle Garnett. Indeed, she is very compassionate and understanding. One thing that really stands out is that one of her recommendations in the psychology report was to seek out "like-minded individuals and individuals who appreciate and celebrate difference." Dunno how much a DX would cost now; at the time, she was based at Griffith Uni on the Gold Coast, and it cost a mere A$160.

A normal psychiatrist should be able to diagnose you. There is no néed to spend thousands of dollars. Make sure you find a good psychiatrist, however because you don't want some incompetent crackpot telling you that you don't have aspergers when you know you do.

Hi Pensieve,

What do you mean by "official"? As far as I know psychologists can definitely make official diagnoses in Aus.

Best, Zel.