Assessments for Autism

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Gerowyn

The Novo Psych website has a range of assessments that can be used for a variety of conditions below you will find links for various assessments related to ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ASD Screener

The ASSQ is a 27 question assessment filled in by parents or teachers of children or adolescents (6 to 17 years of age). It is designed to be an initial screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) especially in those with high or normal IQ, or those with only mild intellectual disability.

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Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a 50 item self-report measure used to assess traits of autism in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over. The measure is suitable for men and women who have normal intellectual functioning. 

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Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q)

The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a 25-item self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours for individuals of age 16 and above. It is used to identify individuals who compensate for or mask autistic characteristics during social interactions and who might not immediately present with autistic traits due to their ability to mask. This can be especially relevant for women with Autism.

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Empathy Quotient (EQ-40)

The Empathy Quotient – 40 item version (EQ-40) is a self-report tool to assess empathy in adults (18 years of age and older). The EQ-40 (Baron-Kohen & Wheelwright, 2004) assesses various aspects of empathy and three subscales are included:

  • Cognitive Empathy (understand others’ thoughts, feelings and perspectives)
  • Emotional Empathy (attunement to others’ emotions)
  • Social Skills (interacting effectively with others).

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Are you trying to help a young person at risk of self harm

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Gerowyn

The following content may contain suicide or self-harm topics. Viewer discretion is advised.

Recent findings show that approximately one in ten Australian adolescents have self-harmed.

Supporting information for clinicians to work with parents of young people who self-harm can be found here.

Safety Planning With a Young Person that Won’t Engage

Clinical Toolkit
Clinical Tips: Assessing Risk of Suicide and Self-Harm

How to Address Self-Harm in a Clinical Setting

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Do you need to apply for Disability Support Pension in Australia

Posted on June 8, 2024 by Gerowyn

If you are needing to apply for the Disability Support Pension in Australia you will need to prove your level of disability and you will need to have 20 points of disability.

Centrelink with use the Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) to assess your level of impairment.

The impairment table consist of

Part 3—Impairment Tables

Table 1 – Functions requiring Physical Exertion and Stamina

Table 2 – Upper Limb Function

Table 3 – Lower Limb Function

Table 4 – Spinal Function

Table 5 – Mental Health Function

Table 6 – Functioning related to Alcohol, Drug and Other Substance Use

Table 7 – Brain Function

Table 8 – Communication Function

Table 9 – Intellectual Function

Table 10 – Digestive and Reproductive Function

Table 11 – Hearing and other Functions of the Ear

Table 12 – Visual Function

Table 13 – Continence Function

Table 14 – Functions of the Skin

Table 15 – Functions of Consciousness

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9 Sings of Mental Illness

Posted on May 19, 2024 by Gerowyn

below is an infographic showing the nine signs of mental illness to be aware of. This information is sourced from the Health Direct website https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/signs-of-mental-health-issues

For more in-depth information please go to the Health Direct website.

Nine signs of mental illness infographic

Infographic courtesy of Healthdirect Australia.

Daily Actions to improve your mental health

Research from MindSpot has shown that regularly performing five simple daily actions can improve your mental health.

Where to get help

If you’re concerned about a friend or loved one, ask them how you can help. The first step for a person with symptoms of a mental health disorder is to see a doctor or other healthcare professional.

If you need more information and support, visit Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) for resources, helplines, apps, online programs and forums.

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Exploring Depression, and Beating the Blues: Additional Free Audio Recordings

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Gerowyn

by Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett

Depression is common among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and has particular features and causes.

On their website https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/exploring-depression-and-beating-the-blues-additional-free-audio-recordings/ are a variety of free audio recordings to accompany the highly regarded book and resource on depression, Exploring Depression, and Beating the Blues. For more information on the book please click HERE.

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Vicious Cycle of Depression

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Gerowyn

Explaining the Vicious Cycle of Depression (CBT Clinical Demonstration)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration Videos

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration VideosIn this video, we illustrate an example of how the vicious cycle of depression can be explained to a client. You may wish to view the follow-up video of “Reversing the Vicious Cycle of Depression”. The “Vicious Cycle of Depression” information sheet can be found here: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Reso… We also have a clinician reflection exercise that can be downloaded from our website as a companion to this demonstration video. Engaging in these reflection exercises will help you to maximise your learning, and can help prepare you to use the demonstrated principles in your own work: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Trai… _________________________________________________________________ The CCI CBT Clinical Demonstration video series aims to demonstrate the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) strategies, and is designed for use by mental health professionals interested in using CBT to treat problems such as depression and anxiety. For more info about CCI, please visit https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/

Reversing the Vicious Cycle of Depression (CBT Clinical Demonstration)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration Videos

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration Videos In this video, we describe how we can reverse the vicious cycle of depression to a client. We encourage you to watch the preceding video on “Explaining the Vicious Cycle of Depression” before you watch this video.

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How stress affects your brain

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Gerowyn

Stress isn’t always a bad thing; it can be handy for a burst of extra energy and focus, like when you’re playing a competitive sport or have to speak in public. But when it’s continuous, it actually begins to change your brain. Madhumita Murgia shows how chronic stress can affect brain size, its structure, and how it functions, right down to the level of your genes. Lesson by Madhumita Murgia, animation by Andrew Zimbelman.

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What is Anxiety?

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Gerowyn

This video contains intense issues relating to anxiety, suicide and depression

What is #anxiety? Although anxiety is a common reaction, learn about the symptoms and types of anxiety and how it can become a problem and when diagnosed as a disorder. Expand the description to find a list of free, 24/7 hotlines and text lines below. #MentalHealth

You’re not alone

Lifeline Australia Free · Confidential · Hours: Available 24 hours Chat Call 13 11 14

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Letter to loved ones when experiencing grief and loss

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Gerowyn

Writing a detailed letter to friends and family can help in not only you understanding your grief process but also in their ability to support you and others in future.

Letter sourced from the Book – Recovering From Losses in Life

Recovering From Losses in Life book cover

Dear Friend (family, pastor, fellow worker),

Recently I have suffered a devastating loss, I am grieving, and it will take months and even years to recover from this loss.

I wanted to let you know that I will cry from time to time I don’t apologize for my tears since the are not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith. They are God’s gift to me to express the extent of my loss, and they are also a sign that I am recovering.

At times you may see me angry for no apparent reason. Sometimes I’m not sure why. All I know is that my emotions are intense because of my grief. If I don’t always make sense to you, please be forgiving and patient with me. And if I repeat myself again and again, please accept this is normal.

More than anything else I need your understanding and your presence. You don’t always have to know what to say or to even say anything if you don’t know how to respond. Your presence and a touch or hug lets me know you care. Please don’t wait for me to call you since sometimes I am too tired or tearful to do so.

If I tend to withdraw from you, please don’t let me do that. I need you to reach out to me for several months.

Pray for me that I would know God’s comfort and love. It does help to let me know that you are praying for me.

If you have experienced a similar type of loss, please feel free to share it with me. It will help rather than cause me to feel worse. And don’t stop sharing if I begin to cry. It’s alright, and any tears you express as we talk are all right too.

This loss is so painful, and right now if feels like the worst thing that could ever happen to me. But I will survive and eventually recover. I cling to that knowledge, even though there have been times when I didn’t feel it. I know that I will not always feel as I do now. Laughter and joy will emerge once again someday.

Thank you for caring about me. Thank you for listening and praying. Your concern comforts me and is a gift for which I will always be thankful.

H. Norman Wright who is a grief and trauma counsellor goes on to say

Take charge of your grief. Face it. Experience it and you will recover.

H. Norman Wright – Recovering From Losses in Life

I would encourage you to personalise the letter a little and ask for prayer for your family as well who have been effected by the same loss.

Grief is not something that you get over over night it is a process and a journey H.Norman Wright also shares this graph outlining the possible timeline for the grief process indicating it can take over 2 years.

grief journey duration and peaks over time.
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Book – Recovering From Losses in Life

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Gerowyn

This book is a book that is writen by H. Norman Wright, a grief and trauma counselor, that was required reading as part of the Diploma in Counselling, I am doing through AIFC during the course Working with People with Menal Health Issues.

Publisher Description

Life is marked by a variety of losses, says certified trauma specialist H. Norman Wright. Some are life-changing, such as leaving home, the effects of natural disasters or war, the death of a loved one, or divorce. Others are subtle, such as changing jobs, moving, or a broken friendship. But whether readers encounter family, personal, or community disaster, there is always potential for change, growth, new insight, understanding, and refinement. Writing from his own experience, Wright covers such issues as the meaning of grief, blaming God, and learning how to express and share in times of loss. Now repackaged and updated with additional material, Recovering from Losses in Life will help readers find hope in difficult times. Study questions included.

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