Andrew Whitehouse, University of Western Australia

You can’t test for autism with a simple blood test or scan, which can make the diagnostic process difficult and dependent on the skill and experience of the clinician.

Maggie Coggan

Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher announced the release of a national standard for diagnosing autism on Tuesday, and said it would vastly improve the consistency of diagnosis of people with autism.

“This guideline brings greater clarity to the way autism is diagnosed – that’s good news for the families of people undergoing assessment,” Fletcher said.    

Rick Morton

A Coalition plan to introduce a new national guideline for autism diagnoses will further raise demand for clinical assessments that already cost thousands of dollars and could end up dis­advantaging children if they are not implemented properly, an ­expert has warned.

Paul Fletcher says guidelines developed in consultation with people living with autism, researchers and doctors

Melissa Davey

New national guidelines for diagnosing autism announced by the federal government on Tuesday will have no impact on those with autism previously deemed eligible for funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the minister for social services, Paul Fletcher, has said.

Rick Morton

Guidelines for autism cases will be streamlined nationwide and doctor-shopping for diagnoses will be eliminated, under a series of reforms aimed at stemming a blowout in the National Dis­ability Insurance Scheme.

The reforms, to be announced by the Morrison government today, have been heralded as a revolution in the way it would smooth out “significant variabilities” in cases confirmed by ­clinicians.

Media Release

The Autism Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) has published Australia's first National Guideline for the assessment and diagnosis of autism.



All Australians who require assessment for autism spectrum conditions are entitled to an early, affordable and comprehensive diagnostic process. The Guideline provides an opportunity to ensure a nationally consistent and equitable experience across the lifespan for families and individuals seeking a diagnosis.

Media Release

The Coalition Government has announced a new national standard for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improving diagnostic consistency across Australia.



Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, today welcomed the release of the national guideline, funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency.



About 164,000 Australians, including 136,000 children and young people under the age of 25, have ASD. That represents a 79 percent increase from 2009.

ASD is is still widely misunderstood, which means a lot of parents dread getting a diagnosis.

But, actually, parents say receiving a diagnosis can be a huge relief as the interventions now available can make a world of difference.

What are the signs of ASD and, once you get a diagnosis, what's next?

Dr Josephine Barbaro is a Senior Fellow at Latrobe University's Autism Research Centre and Richard Peake features in a new documentary Dad: A film about Autism and Fatherhood.

Karen R Fisher, UNSW; Erin Louise Whittle, UNSW, and Julian Norman Trollor, UNSW