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    Doctors and Medical Specialists

    are you trying to find a paediatrician?

    There are a small number of developmental paediatricians and child and adolescent psychiatrists in Perth and an OVERWHELMING demand for appointments.  Most have closed their books.  It’s dire.  

    If you are in that situation, I am so sorry. I understand how stressful this process is – diagnosis offers answers and a pathway to support.  

    I started compiling lists of paediatricians and allied health therapists WITH availability back in 2021 to try and make it easier for stressed families to find the help they need.  I thought it would be a temporary stop gap measure until things settled down … but here we [still] are.  I hope you can find the help you and your children need here, Pia XXX

    FAQs

    Your GP is the key person who can help you navigate the medical system and access support.  

    Check with your GP about your concerns and who the most appropriate professional is to diagnose and support your child. 

    Not all conditions require diagnosis by a paediatrician.  If your child is under 6 years you do not need a formal diagnosis to apply for the NDIS early childhood approach.  Autism diagnosis also does not mandate a paediatrician.

    Discuss with your GP any concerns you have for your child, including any sleep, diet or mental health concerns and whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan or Chronic Diseases Management Plan would be of benefit in helping provide access to relevant allied health services, such as occupational therapy or psychology supports.

    The WA government provides a free (government funded) Child Development Service (CDS) that includes developmental paediatrician services. 

    Families can find information about referral to this service at CAHS | Child and Adolescent Health Service – Referral information or by contacting CDS directly on 1300 551 827.  

    You may choose to go privately to see a paediatrician, however please be aware that there is a severe shortage in the private sector and waittimes can be longer than those currently provided by the CDS. 

    Private paediatricians require a GP referral to be sent through before they can add you to their waitlist.  They use the information on the referral to triage (prioritise) the referral based on urgency of need.

    If you are referring through the government funded Child Development Service please check their referral advice here.

    If you are electing to go privately, each paediatrician has slightly different requirements so it’s best to check their website ahead of visiting your GP so that you can provide what they need.  For example, some paediatricians will require that you and / or child’s teacher to complete specific questionnaires ahead of their initial appointment.

    Some things that can be helpful to accompany the referral include:

    1. A recent school report

    2. A letter from the teacher that summarises their observations / concerns

    3. NAPLAN results (if applicable)

    4. Your own letter summarising what it is like at home with examples of how it impacts your child and family.

    There are a small number of developmental paediatricians in Perth and a huge demand for appointments.


    Most are at capacity and have closed their books. It’s dire. If you are in that situation, I am so sorry. I understand how stressful this process is – you just want your child to be happy. A diagnosis offers answers and a pathway to treatment and support.  


    I can’t sugar coat it – families are going to be waiting

    anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to see a

    paediatrician and get a formal diagnosis.

    You do not need a referral to see an allied health practitioner such as a psychologist, play therapist, speech pathologist or occupational therapist.

    If you are concerned about a speech delay, a hearing test and review by a speech pathologist are recommended.

    If your child is under 6 years of age, you do not need a formal diagnosis to apply for the National Disability Insurance Agency’s Early Childhood
    Approach.  

    If not already in place, it may be helpful for a family to liaise with their child’s teacher to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for their child and discuss whether involvement of the school psychologist would be appropriate.

    You can request a letter stating that you are on a waitlist to see a paediatrician / psychiatrist and provide this to your school to support interim accommodations or an application for an Individual
    Disability Allocation (IDA).

    Families seeking information about ADHD may find online resources such as the following useful: 

    ADHD: children & teens |

    Raising Children Network, 

    Resources – ADHD WA Educators – ADHD WA, 

    Kids Health Information : ADHD – ways to help children at school and home (rch.org.au), https://adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au and 

    https://adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ADHD-Factsheet-How-is-ADHD-treated.pdf.

    Yes, including by telehealth.  Scripts prescribed interstate registered paediatricians, psychiatrists and neurologists can be dispensed in WA if they were prescribed after 13 December 2023.  Check the Department of Health website for more updates on stimulant prescriptions.  

    latest updates

    I share the latest updates on private paediatrician availability here.  Things change very quickly so check back often for updates.  Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement of any practitioners and families should review the advice below on finding the right fit for your family.

    If you have an update you would like to include please contact Pia here.

    Wait times: Currently, we provide a 24 to 48-hour turnaround for the first appointment.
    Diagnosis and treatment timeline: It generally takes around 2 weeks to complete the process from the initial assessment to diagnosis and treatment.
    Telehealth for WA families: Yes, we offer ADHD assessments via telehealth and have successfully conducted many for WA families.
    Cost: The full ADHD assessment package is $3000, covering three appointments – a clinical assessment, specialist consultation, and a psychoeducation/therapy session.
    Stimulant prescribers: All of our specialists are endorsed to prescribe stimulant medication in WA, and they are part of the same specialist hub that supports Healan Centre.
    Age range: We currently assess individuals aged 2 to 25 years.
    Exclusions: We do not assess high-risk patients who require ongoing case management, such as those with schizophrenia or high levels of suicidal ideation and self-harm risk.
    Specialists: Our team consists of pediatricians and psychiatrists who are highly experienced in ADHD diagnosis and management.
    Booking process: Families can book directly through our clinic, and we’ll ensure swift follow-ups.  See full information here.

    Last updated 11 October 2024.

    Paeds Plus has welcomed Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Rachel Hudson to their clinic to provide expert mental health assessment and management for children and adolescents up to 16 years.  Dr Hudson will focus on anxiety disorders, mood disorders including depressive disorders, trauma-related issues and school related or peer relationship difficulties including school avoidance.   At this time Dr Rahcel is not accepting referrals for ADHD, autism, eating disorders, significant risk to self or others, psychosis or aggressive behaviours. See full information here.

    Last updated 17 September 2024.

    Cub Care have added an ADHD, attention and behavioural clinic to their virtual paediatric platform.  They are accepting referrals with availability from November 2024 for children aged 5-16 years for ADHD, behavioural and attention concerns. But they are filling fast.  See full information here.

    Last updated 20 September 2024.

    Westerly Youth Clinic is a new paediatric service operated by Dr Grant Ferguson, a specialist in Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine.
    We are currently accepting referrals for young people (ages 10 to 24) who need help with an eating disorder.  Unfortunately they have closed their books to new patients with suspected or confirmed ADHD as at 20 September 2024.  They will advise when they can take more referrals. See full information here.

    Last updated 20 September 2024.

    Over the last month we have been inundated with referrals. Dr Savery is working as hard as possible to see as many people as possible. At this time, we have come to the tough decision to close our books.
    If you are still looking for a paediatrician in July 2025, please contact us again.  See full information here.

    Last updated 26 August 2024.

    Dr Michael Slattery has unfortunately closed his books due to the tsunami of referrals he’s received.  He will work through the logjam of referrals and reopen once on top of these.  Please check back regularly for any updates.

    (1 August 2024)

    The Healan Centre have made some changes to their services and now provide services to people of all ages, not just children and youth.

    They are taking a multidisciplinary approach so clients will see the specialist with the earliest availability and the one that the team believes will best assist them.

    For more information on current wait times, their three step process and their specialists please visit their listing here.

    Last updated 25 June 2024.

    Dokotela

    We have a few new psychiatrists who have been approved in the state of WA to treat children and adolescents for mental health, in particular ADD/ADHD and ASD as we have been discussing. Please see below the current Dokotela status and wait times.

     

    Dr Ramprasad Attur

    Ages: 4-18

    Scope: General Child, adolescent, and family psychiatry, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, ODD, OCD, Neurodevelopmental issues (ADD/ADHD, ASD comorbid).

     

    Dr Ryan Lee

    Ages: 10-18

    Scope: General Child, adolescent, and family psychiatry, OCD, Neurodevelopmental (including ASD and ADD/ADHD).

     

    Dr Joan Halibrun

    Ages: 0-18

    Scope: General child, adolescent & family psychiatry, PTSD, autism spectrum & development disorders, anorexia and eating disorders, OCD.

     

    Dr Zelko Mustac

    Ages: 14+

    Scope: Adult psychiatry, ADD/ADHD (Ages 17+ for WA), ASD (Ages 6+)

     

    Dr Kavita Seth

    Ages 16+

    Scope: ADD/ADHD

     

    In summary we are able to accommodate referrals for

    4+ for ADD
    Wait time: approximately 4x months

    0+ for ASD
    Wait time: within 1x week

    4+ for ADD/ASD comorbid.
    Wait time: approximately 4x months

    General enquiries to enquiries@dokotela.com.au 

    GP referrals to referrals@dokotela.com.au  

    Last updated 25 June 2024

    Is only seeing NEW ADHD (12-18 MONTH WAIT) & autism assessments (booking June) through Perth Paediatrics.  She is no longer working for Dokotela. 

    The child does need to be seen through Vishal Maharaj at Perth Paediatrics / Azure Mind first prior to seeing her.   

    Note they are not accepting any other psychologist reports for ADHD diagnosis, but are accepting other psychologist reports for autism if this has already been completed.

    Last updated 18 March 2024

    The NDIS access team has confirmed that a Level 2 or Level 3 autism diagnosis by a psychologist with endorsement in clinical psychology, neuropsychology or educational and developmental psychology and experienced in autism assessments is sufficient evidence of a “List A” condition.

    This currently exclude registered psychologists.

    List A conditions are conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements for access to the NDIS. 

    The NDIS only requires consensus of the diagnosis by a paediatrician or psychiatrist IF the report by the psychologist states that an opinion or conferral of the diagnosis is required. 

    Then, the NDIS will expect that report at some point in the future to confim diagnosis. 

    This is a different requirement from access to the Individual Disability Allocation through the Department of Education.

    Updated 16 April 2024.

    In recognition of long wait times to see paediatricians and psychiatrists, the WA Department of Education has extended the initial allocation of interim funding for students undertaking an autim assessment from six to 12 months for private assessments and 12 to 18 months for public assessments. 

    Updated 16 April 2024.

     

    To apply for ongoing Individual Disability Allocation funding for a student with autism, students can be assessed for autism using a Lead Clinician Pathway or a Consensus Team Pathway.

    Lead Clinician Pathway

    Autism assessment by either a:

    paediatrician / psychiatrist / neurologist

    OR

    a psychologist with practice endorsement in clinical psychology, educational or developmental psychology or neuropsychology 

    The Lead Clinician’s diagnosis must be confirmed by at least one diganostician from a different discipline. 

    This can be a:

    Psychiatrist / Paediatrician or Neurologist

    OR 

    psychologist with general registration (not applicable if the Lead Clinician is a psychologist)

    OR 

    a speech pathologist

    OR 

    an occupational therapist who has experience assessing autism.

    Consensus Team Pathway

    If a consensus team pathway is taken, the ASD assessment is conducted by either a:

    • medical practitioner with specialist registration in community child health, general paediatrics, psychiatry or neurology
    • psychologist with practice endorsement in clinical psychology, educational or developmental psychology, or neuropsychology.

    At least one additional diagnostician from a different discipline is selected to join the diagnostic team.

    The decision is based on their skills and expertise and can be:

    • a psychologist with general registration
    • a speech pathologist
    • an occupational therapist who has experience assessing autism.

    Updated 16 April 2024.

    Western Australians can now use interstate telehealth services and have scripts for stimulant medications filled here after the Schedule 8 Stimulant Prescribing Code was amended in mid-December 2023. 

    Read more here.

    paediatrician, psychiatrists & medical specialists

    finding the right person for your family

    Not every practitioner will be the right fit for every family, and that’s OK.  Also, just because someone has a negative experience with a practitioner doesn’t mean that you will.   Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement of any practitioners.  

    I recommend families do their own research to ensure the doctor or practitioner they select is one that will suit their family.    Here are three things I suggest:

    on the blog

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