UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit provides detailed coverage of Australian and international best practice approaches to the assessment and diagnosis of autism. Students will develop a detailed understanding of the DSM-5-TR criteria for autism, including the support/severity levels and of the application of these criteria to autism diagnosis across the lifespan. In addition, the unit will give students a thorough grounding in differential diagnosis (i.e., identifying features of autism that overlap with other neurodevelopmental conditions, and distinguishing autism from these conditions). Finally, students will strengthen their knowledge of the referral process, and the importance of a prompt referral, for comprehensive autism assessment, and will learn about the clinical and observational information that should be included in referrals for autism diagnostic assessments.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	Online	Online flexible

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) explain key changes in autism diagnostic approaches over time and compare historical and contemporary conceptualisations of autism; (2) outline the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder as described in current diagnostic manuals, identify key behavioural features of autism that are relevant to each of the DSM-5-TR autism domains, and apply knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for autism, including the specifiers, severity ratings and support levels to brief case examples; (3) identify and describe the Guiding Principles that inform the recommendations contained in the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia (the Guideline), and recognise international best-practice principles in autism diagnostic assessment.; (4) identify the key professionals involved in diagnostic assessments for autism, and the aspects of the evaluation that each professional is eligible to conduct; (5) describe and explain the important considerations that should be accounted for during a diagnostic assessment for autism; (6) demonstrate understanding of the importance of the content and style of communication when sharing autism assessment findings, including report writing; (7) demonstrate understanding of the importance of a prompt referral to ensure timely diagnosis and access to relevant supports and services; and (8) identify and select screening tools that can be used at different ages and developmental stages to identify features of autism, and the relevant clinical and observational information to be included in a referral for an autism assessment.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: Students will be granted advanced standing for this unit after completing micro-credentials PSYCM510, PSYCM511, PSYCM515, and PSYCM516. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Iliana Magiati

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

70230 Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis
or prior approval and satisfy the eligibility criteria

Incompatibility

the four microcredentials comprising this unit (PSYCM510, PSYCM511, PSYCM515, and PSYCM516)

Contact hours

Approximately/ up to 150 hours of personal study of online material (approx./ up to 25 hours x 2 1PD point online microcredentials
and approx./ up to 50 hours x 2 2PD point online microcredentials), consisting of written material, guided readings, reflective exercises, videos or pre-recorded material, and interactive activities.