cheapest way to get diagnosed aspergers in Australia?

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I've been looking into getting a diagnosis at the Hearts and Minds clinic in Brisbane but can see the cost is way beyond my means right now. I'm a little confused as they list separate costs for diagnosis and reports and they give a price range for both - assessment could cost up to $1100 and a report about $440.

I've been thinking about the reason I want a diagnosis. It COULD help to get a small disability pension if I'm also able to get my physical health condition diagnosed - overall the whole process would take a long time, a lot of money and isn't very certain anyway. So, I don't think that's reason enough. On the other hand because I'm dealing with chronic pain, headaches and fatigue I don't really have the energy for the extra effort it takes to survive and cope in the world of the normals. I'm experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety at the moment and having a lot of emotional spirals that I'm really ashamed of. I wish I could get help with these things.

I know a diagnosis of aspergers is not necessarily going to be pivotal in getting a mental health plan to get sessions with a psych or something but if I have aspergers I'd like to be treated for that - not for a whole collection of bits and pieces that are attached like anxiety, depression, low self esteem etc.

So, I'm wondering is it possible to get an informal diagnosis, without a report, from a non specialist psychologist or psychiatrist that doesn't charge an arm and a leg who could then help me learn to cope? The main thing is, they would need to actually believe in the condition and be able to help with it... which I'm wondering if I'd come across with someone not specialising?

I had the option to get a written opinion from my psychologist (who specialises in ASDs), after 2-3 sessions rather than a full report. A large part of the cost of those sessions is claimable under Medicare. If I had opted to settle for that, I think it would have cost around $300 altogether. The big costs in my full diagnosis have been the WAIS, which is not covered by Medicare, nor do I believe are the hours spent by the psychologist writing the report and consulting with other psychologists. What such a written opinion is worth, I am not sure.

Hi it cost me $725 for an adult diagnosis and written report buy a clinical psychologist specializing in asd. Wich is what centrelink require for dsp. I'm in Victoria and went to the asd clinic in kew.

I ended up being formally diagnosed at the Royal Brisbane Hospital Behavioural Therapy Unit through the University of Queensland. I only paid $30 everytime I went there I have been there twice now. They now have the Behavioural Therapy Unit at the University of Queensland not at the RBH anymore.

I know this is an old thread, but Jediyoda - $30 a visit?! Anyone else in Australia been diagnosed for a fairly low cost? (less than $700) I desperately want a diagnosis but can't afford it in the forseeable future. What's the cheapest way to go about it? I know I can't afford to go to ASD specialists or a neuropsychologist.
TIA.

Hi Tia, $700 and up seems to be the going rate for most places
In aus. You could ask your gp to put you on a mental health plan
referring you to a clinical psychologist specializing in asd. I would
Start there as it is the cheapest way to start on the road to diagnosis.
Hope this helps

WTF why does it cost money for a diagnosis when you have universal healthcare?

Our healthcare only covers certain things.

How strange, what kinds of things doesn't it cover?[/quote]

Please tell me what country covers all of the cost for medical and psychological services?

Basically anything requiring a specialist isn't covered. Or if it is, you need a referral from a GP.

For people looking at this thread in future, you can get a mental health care plan from your GP which covers 10 visits to a psychologist, psychiatrist, etc, and you can claim the cost back on medicare.

It includes things like ASD assessment, because I was advised to do it by the place I called. You don't even need to have been referred to the place, just have the mental health plan within the last two years.

I'm in Sydney and paid nothing.
Both times I've been diagnosed, the diagnosis was incidental to the actual reason I was seeing a psychiatrist!

The second time I was diagnosed, I was in a psychiatric hospital for alcoholism and depression. I saw my psychiatrist several times a week whilst I was in there for (all up) 10 weeks and continued to see him monthly after that. He diagnosed me. He wasn't the first though.

I saw a psychiatrist back in 2007 in Elizabeth Street for depression and (suspected - not true) suicidal tendencies in related to a work injury I sustained back in 2005 and he also picked it up.

The first one was covered by compo and the second, by my private health insurance.

Both times independent. Both covered.

Hi ImAnAspie, in those cases did you get a report that would be accepted by Centrelink when applying for DSP?