If you’re starting to wonder whether your child might be autistic or otherwise neurodivergent you’re definitely not the first parent in the Melville–Fremantle area to feel overwhelmed by what to do next.
For many families, the word “assessment” can bring up a mix of hope, worry and a thousand questions:
Will they really see what my child is like?
Will this report actually help with school and NDIS?
Will my child feel comfortable or traumatised by the experience?
This Perth Kids Hub business spotlight introduces Zen Mind Psychology and Senior Clinical Psychologist, Alicia Viforj, who offers autism assessments for children and adolescents (5+) in South Fremantle, with a strong focus on making the process calm, collaborative and genuinely useful for families.
A local option for autism assessments without a long wait
Zen Mind Psychology is based in South Fremantle and services families across Fremantle, Melville, Bicton and surrounding areas.
Alicia has current capacity for new autism assessments and has recently opened extra time, meaning families can usually book an assessment date with less than a one‑month wait(at the time of writing).
Parent and teacher questionnaires are sent out within 48 hours of booking so the process can start promptly, even before your main appointment.
For local families juggling school, work and siblings, having a nearby option with a shorter wait can make a big difference – especially when you’re trying to get support in place for school or NDIS.
Meet Alicia Viforj – Senior Clinical Psychologist
Alicia is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with more than 16 years’ experience. She has completed extensive training in Autism and ADHD diagnosis and assessment, in addition to her clinical training, and has a special interest in:
– How autism presents in girls
– Highly masking children and adolescents
– Children who may appear to be “managing” at school but are falling apart at home
She is particularly mindful that many autistic children, especially girls and highly masking kids, might not show obvious differences in a brief or unfamiliar setting.
That’s why she builds her assessments around multiple sources of information, not just what happens in the room on the day.
A neuro-affirming, child-centred approach
Choosing an assessor can feel scary. Many parents worry that:
– Their child will “hold it together” for the session and not show the behaviours they see at home.
– A school that doesn’t see the same challenges will mean their child can’t be diagnosed or supported.
– They’ll be left with a report that doesn’t really reflect their child.
Alicia’s approach is very much the opposite of a “tick-box” assessment.
Her focus is on being:
– Thorough – using standardised tools and following Australian national guidelines for autism diagnosis.
– Collaborative – drawing on input from parents, teachers and other professionals involved in your child’s care.
– Neuro‑affirming – recognising both strengths and support needs and respecting your child’s neurotype.
She is upfront about a key message many parents find reassuring:
“Your child is still the same child whether they have a diagnostic label or not.”
For Alicia, an assessment is not about changing who your child is. It’s about understanding how their brain processes information, regulates emotions and experiences the world, so that home and school can better support them.
What does “neuro‑affirming” look like in practice?
“Neuro‑affirming” can sound like jargon, but in everyday terms, for Alicia it means:
– Seeing neurodivergence as a difference, not a defect.
– Looking for both strengths and challenges, not just a list of “problems”.
– Asking, “What supports will help this child feel safer, more understood and able to thrive?”
– Avoiding a one‑size‑fits‑all approach and instead tailoring recommendations to your child’s unique profile.
Families are encouraged to share what their child loves before the assessment – favourite interests, topics, toys – so Alicia can meet them where they’re comfortable and build rapport from the first session.
A process designed for real life and real children
Before the assesssment
Once you’ve booked a date:
– Parent and teacher questionnaires are emailed within 48 hours, so both home and school perspectives are included right from the start.
– You’re invited to send through any existing reports from speech therapists, OTs, psychologists or other professionals.
This helps create a full picture of your child, rather than relying solely on one interaction on the day.
On the day
Assessments take place at the South Fremantle practice and are usually split into two parts:
- Parent session (around 1.5 hours)
– This is a detailed clinical interview with parents or caregivers only.
– It can be online or in person, depending on what works best for your family.
– You’ll be asked about your child’s development, strengths, challenges, daily life and school experiences.
- Child session (around 1–1.5 hours)
– This is usually a play‑based assessment tailored to your child’s age and comfort level.
– Alicia is flexible and will go beyond standard questions if needed, particularly in cases where a child may mask or appear “too capable” in a structured setting.
Throughout, the focus is on helping your child feel as safe and comfortable as possible, not on forcing them into a rigid process.
After the assessment: clear, timely reports and feedback
Following the assessment:
– A comprehensive written report is completed within 4 weeks of the assessment date.
– Reports:
– Use standardised measures and follow Australian national guidelines for autism diagnosis.
– Can be used to support Department of Education applications in WA (including EA/support at school, where a diagnosis and detailed report are often required).
– Can form part of your NDIS access application.
– The report will outline your child’s developmental profile, differences, functional needs and, where applicable, diagnostic level.
– It’s important to note that a diagnosis and report do not guarantee NDIS acceptance, but they are a key part of the application process.
– Parents are offered a 30‑minute feedback session to go through the findings, ask questions and talk about next steps and supports.
If Alicia has any questions or feels more information is needed after the assessment day, she will contact you. She doesn’t “guess” or make assumptions where there are gaps.
Considering ADHD too? A complimentary screener
Because autism and ADHD frequently occur together, Alicia includes a complimentary ADHD screener with every autism assessment if your child has not already had ADHD explored.
This doesn’t replace a full ADHD assessment, but it can flag whether further investigation might be helpful, and supports a more complete understanding of your child’s profile.
Why a diagnosis and detailed report can matter for school and NDIS
Alicia believes support should begin as soon as possible, regardless of whether a formal diagnosis has been made yet. Referrals to speech therapy, OT, psychology and school adjustments can be started based on need.
However, in real-world settings, especially in WA schools, a diagnosis and formal report often play a crucial role in:
– Accessing education assistant (EA) support.
– Guiding individual education plans and adjustments.
– Providing the evidence needed for NDIS access and planning.
A well‑constructed, clear report that reflects your child’s day‑to‑day reality can help ensure that the recommendations and supports are not generic, but truly matched to your child.
Working as a team with your child’s village
Alicia encourages collaboration with:
– Teachers and school staff
– Speech pathologists
– Occupational therapists
– Other allied health professionals
She recognises that these professionals often hold valuable pieces of the puzzle, and that joined‑up information leads to more practical recommendations and better outcomes for your child.
It can be a gentle, affirming and collaborative experience
When asked what she wishes families knew before starting this journey, Alicia’s answer is simple:
“You are not alone and the assessment process can be an easy and supportive process.
“For many families, just hearing that the process can be gentle, affirming and collaborative rather than cold or clinical is a huge relief.”
Practical details
Business name: Zen Mind Psychology
Clinician: Alicia Viforj, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Location: South Fremantle (servicing Melville, Fremantle, Bicton and surrounding areas)
Age group: Children and adolescents (5+)
Referral: No referral is required.
If a child or young person under 25 is referred by a paediatrician, Medicare rebates may be available for assessment sessions with a Clinical Psychologist (check your eligibility with your provider).
Current availability: Capacity for new assessments in May, June and July at the time of writing. Check latest availability updates on Zen Mind Psychology’s listing on Perth Kids Hub.
Bookings & enquiries:
Phone: 0435 677 766 or 0499 485 385
Email: admin@zenmindpsychology.com.au or alicia@zenmindpsychology.com.au
If you’re in the Melville–Fremantle area, think your child might be neurodivergent, or need an autism assessment to support school or NDIS applications, Zen Mind Psychology offers a thoughtful, neuro‑affirming option close to home – with a process designed to leave you feeling informed, supported and understood.
Helpful resources
- Perth paediatrician and psychiatrist availability
- Autism assessment providers
- Autism diagnosis and school funding in Western Australia
- When private assessments feel out of reach: financial support options for Perth families
- Choosing the right paediatrician for your child
