Telehealth autism assessment for adult women, Australia-wide
You've probably spent a lifetime working to hide the struggle
For a lot of women, that's the whole problem. You've become so good at reading a room, rehearsing conversations in advance and holding yourself together in front of other people that even you might have started to doubt what's actually going on underneath it.
If you're looking for a safe and non-judgemental space to learn more about whether you might be autistic, you're in the right place.
Adult autism assessments at State of Being
β³Australia-wide by telehealth
β³Conducted by registered psychologist Marina Dawson
β³A neuroaffirming approach
β³Designed with high-masking adults in mind
β³Diagnostic Outcome Letter included, comprehensive reports available by request
β³Combined ADHD and Autism assessments available
We regularly assess adult women from across Australia who were never picked up on as children, often because they didn't fit the stereotype and had learned to mask so well that nobody thought to look closer.
What it costs
We'd rather you know this upfront than read for ten minutes and be surprised.
Fees include your Diagnostic Outcome Letter (not suitable for NDIS applications), should you require a comprehensive report please reach out for pricing and availability. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking your assessment. Rebates and private health cover vary depending on your provider and policy, so it's worth checking directly with your fund.
Ready when you are
Start with a 50 minute intake session. No obligation to go further afterwards.
Book Intake Β· $275no referral needed
Why choose State of Being
A neuroaffirming approach
We're interested in helping you understand how your brain works, not cataloguing what's wrong with you.
Genuine focus on high-masking women
Marina works predominantly with sensitive, high-achieving, neurodivergent women who've spent years masking and explaining away their own experiences.
A warm, collaborative process
Your assessment feels like a series of thoughtful conversations, not an interrogation or a rigid checklist.
Telehealth, done properly
The whole process runs online, so you can take part from anywhere in Australia without travel or even a full day off work.
Clear next steps either way
You'll leave with a Diagnostic Outcome Letter, deeper self understanding and personalised recommendations, whether or not you receive a diagnosis.
One process, not two
If ADHD is also on your mind, a Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment covers both without doubling up on appointments.
Does any of this sound familiar?
You don't need to relate to all of these, and you don't need a lifetime of evidence to justify wanting an assessment. Many women who come to us recognise a few of the following:
You feel exhausted after socialising, even with people you like, and need real time alone to recover
You rehearse conversations, emails or phone calls beforehand, and replay them afterwards, worrying about whether you said the right thing
You notice details that other people seem oblivious to, like fluorescent lights, background conversations, clothing seams, strong smells or certain textures, and they can become surprisingly difficult to ignore
You've often been labelled "too sensitive," "too intense," "too emotional," or "overthinking everything," despite feeling like you're simply experiencing the world differently
You rely on routines, predictability or doing things in a particular way because it genuinely helps you feel calm and organised, and unexpected changes can leave you feeling far more unsettled than other people seem to
You have a rich inner world but often struggle to explain what you're thinking or feeling in the moment, especially when overwhelmed
You've had intense interests throughout your life that bring you enormous joy and comfort, even if they don't fit the stereotype of autism
You've spent years watching how other people behave and consciously or unconsciously copying them to fit in, only to wonder why socialising seems to come so much more naturally to everyone else
Learning about autism through your own child, a partner, a friend or social media has left you with the uncomfortable feeling that someone is describing your life
You've always felt like you're working from a social rulebook that everyone else somehow received except you
If any of this rings true, it might be worth discussing if an assessment is right for you
Meet Marina Dawson
Marina is a neuroaffirming, AHPRA-registered psychologist who works with sensitive, high-achieving, high-masking women, and she brings that same lens into how she conducts assessments. Her background spans over 11 years in mental health and organisational psychology, now working with neurodivergent women navigating burnout, big transitions and the quiet exhaustion of trying to keep everything looking fine from the outside.
Marina also brings her own lived experience as a parent raising a neurodivergent family, which shapes the warmth and patience she brings into the room. You won't be treated as a set of symptoms to be checked off a list.
What an assessment actually involves
Step one
Assessment Intake Session, 50 minutes
Where we get to know you and what's brought you here. There's no pressure to commit to anything further. If we don't think a formal assessment is likely to be useful for you, we'll say so honestly and talk through what might help instead.
Step two
Comprehensive Assessment
Much more like a series of thoughtful conversations than a test. Marina explores your current experiences, your developmental history and the ways your strengths and challenges have shaped your life, alongside evidence-based assessment tools.
Step three
Feedback and your Diagnostic Outcome Letter
We talk through what we found, what it means and what you might want to do with it. You receive a written Diagnostic Outcome Letter along with personalised recommendations.
Common questions
About assessments
What is an adult autism assessment?
A structured process, usually led by a registered psychologist, that explores whether autism helps explain a person's lifelong experiences, sensory responses, social patterns and ways of thinking. It combines evidence-based tools and questionnaires with detailed conversation about your current life and developmental history.
Who is an autism assessment for?
Anyone who has spent time wondering whether autism explains parts of their experience, whether that's sensory sensitivity, social exhaustion, a lifetime of masking, or recognising themselves in a family member or friend's diagnosis.
Can autism be diagnosed in adulthood?
Yes. Autism can be identified at any age, and it's increasingly common for adults, particularly women, to be diagnosed later in life due to advances in our understanding of how autism may present in women and adulthood.
How accurate are adult autism assessments?
A comprehensive assessment conducted by a registered psychologist, using validated tools alongside a detailed developmental and lived-experience history, is considered the most reliable way to assess autism in adults.
What assessment tools are used?
Our assessments combine in-depth clinical interviews with evidence-based assessment tools to build a comprehensive understanding of your experiences. We use the MIGDAS-2 (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum) as a key part of our neuroaffirming assessment process, alongside psychometric measures such as the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2), Sensory Processing Measure, Second Edition (SPM-2) and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version (BRIEF-A). We may also include other screening tools and validated assessment tools where clinically appropriate, depending on your individual presentation and assessment needs.
How long does an adult autism assessment take?
Timing depends on individual circumstances. The assessment itself usually lasts around three hours (don't worry you can take breaks and move around in that time).
Logistics
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. You can book directly through our online portal whenever you're ready by selecting the 'Assessment Intake Session' appointment option.
Do I need school reports or someone who remembers my childhood?
No. That kind of information can be helpful when it's available, but it isn't required. We'll work with whatever information you do have.
Can I really do this all by telehealth?
Yes. Marina conducts these assessments entirely online, so you can take part from wherever you're most comfortable, anywhere in Australia.
What if I don't get a diagnosis?
Our aim is for you to leave with a clearer understanding of yourself either way, along with practical recommendations.
What if I think I might have ADHD too?
That's really common. A Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment is available if that feels more relevant to you.
You deserve to understand your own story
Whatever the outcome, you'll come away with language for things you've carried quietly for years, and a clearer sense of what might actually help. If you've read this far, you might like to learn more or get started with one of the steps below.