UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit provides opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in autism assessment and diagnosis through a series of practical activities and exercises, including observations and/or discussions of multidisciplinary assessments for autism; participation in simulated case conferences or case discussions based on these observations; and diagnostic report-writing and feedback exercises. These activities will prepare students for completing a clinical assessment and diagnostic case report based on an example assessment provided to them. Students will also apply their knowledge of the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia (the Guideline). All students will develop and demonstrate skills in conducting clinical interviews for autism and collaborative report writing. Students who complete this unit should be able to develop, apply and demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for working within a multidisciplinary autism diagnostic team.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	Online	Online timetabled

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe key, autism-relevant behaviours observed in video-recorded or case-based diagnostic assessments, and link the observed behaviours to relevant diagnostic criteria as outlined in the DSM-5-TR; (2) demonstrate skills in integrating assessment information, contributing to diagnostic formulations and summarising the information in diagnostic reports; (3) apply knowledge of the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia for one key developmental stage (toddlers/early childhood, school-age, or adolescents and adults); (4) apply knowledge of the DSM-5-TR criteria for autism, including specifiers, severity/support levels to video-recorded or written case examples; and (5) demonstrate the clinical interviewing skills required to elicit key behaviours and information relevant to the DSM-5-TR criteria for autism from the autistic person themselves or from informants.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) brief reflective essay; (2) case report; and (3) role-play. Further information is available in the unit outline.

This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Emina Cholich

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

70230 Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis

and Successful completion of

two Unit(s) PSYC5520 The Presentation and Diagnostic Features of Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan
and Unit(s) PSYC5521 Key Principles in the the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Lifespan Approach

Co-requisites

Successful completion of
or Enrolment in

Unit(s) PSYC5522 Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2nd Edition (ADOS-2) Training

Contact hours

2.5 hours x 6 online applied/ practical seminars over 6 weeks. This is an applied/practical unit. Students must demonstrate application of knowledge and clinical skills required for a diagnostician through online practical activities, such as case discussions and role plays, as well as report-writing exercises and case studies.

Note

Additional Prerequisite Notes: Students must (1) be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis (70230); (2) have completed PSYC5520 and PSYC5521 (or must have been given credit for these two units upon successful completion of their associated micro-credentials), and (3) have completed or be enrolled in PSYC5522 (ADOS-2 training)