Autism Assessments:
Unlock Your Child’s Potential
Answers Today.
Confidence Tomorrow.
The Gold Standard in Autism Diagnosis & Care.
Understanding your child’s unique needs is the first step to unlocking their strengths and supporting their development.
Our comprehensive Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments provide clarity, confidence, and a tailored roadmap for your child’s success—all delivered by trusted Bay Paediatrics experts who truly care.
Autism Isn’t Easy.
We’ve been through it.
We understand it.
We know exactly how it feels.
We were sick and tired of being overlooked, ignored, misunderstood and forgotten.
We were done with waiting, hoping and praying for somebody to help us.
We had enough of the guilt, the shame, the lectures & the judgement.
So we decided to create something totally different to help neurodiverse families thrive.
We sat down with a group of paediatricians, psychologists, behavioural experts and parents….and we started designing the ‘Horizon’™ method to give real families the insights they needed to understand Autism, and the tools they needed to thrive in neurodiversity.
We've been through the struggle. We understand the expectations. We know there will be hard days when - as parents - we question ourselves and everything around us.
That's why we wanted to create a proven and comprehensive diagnostic approach , and that any parent can rely upon to unlock answers, find solution, encourage growth and create positive change within the family
But we don’t stop there.
We are the only Autism assessment in New Zealand to use a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team to not only give you clarity around the diagnosis, but also confidence for the future. That’s why our ASD assessments also incorporate a clear, simple and bespoke strategy to help you thrive as you move beyond the diagnosis and into daily life.
“A neurodiversity diagnosis stays with a child for the rest of their life. That’s why nothing is more important than getting it right. First time. Every time.”
- Dr Sarah Moll, MBChB, MRes, MRCPCH
Bay Paediatrics Consultant Paediatrician
From Uncertainty to Understanding
Parenting a neurodiverse child can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re searching for answers. Our team of experienced professionals is in your corner to help you:
Understand Your Child: Our bespoke ‘Autism Horizon’™ method gives you a clear and accurate diagnosis using world-class tools and expert evaluations. We look deeper and we go further to give you total clarity about what is happening for your child.
Get it right, first time: A neurodiversity diagnosis stays with a child for the rest of their lives. We bring you a truly multi-disciplinary team of paediatric consultants, psychologists, doctors and occupational therapists to ensure you get the right outcome, first time.
Feel Empowered: Gain insights and practical strategies to help your child thrive in school, at home, and in life. This is about your journey, and helping your family grow in your own time, in your own way.
Get clarity, certainty and confidence. Fast: Nothing is more frustrating than waiting and waiting and being pushed through endless assessment hoops without ever getting a straight answer.
Access Personalized Support: Receive a comprehensive plan tailored to your child’s specific strengths, challenges, and goals. The diagnosis isn’t the end of the journey, it’s the beginning of the neurodiversity adventure.
With years of experience working with neurodiverse children and their families, we offer more than an assessment—we provide clarity, certainty and confidence that will help you create the future your child deserves.
Crafted by Experts. Trusted By Parents.
What to Expect From The Autism Horizon™ Assessment
Using cutting-edge science, world-class techniques and the latest neurological and psychological research, we redefined the art of the possible.
This is how we deliver what has been described as “New Zealand’s leading child Autism assessment”.
Step One: ASD Developmental Evaluation.
We take a holistic approach to understanding your child. Our world-class assessments include:
Parent & School insights: Gathering data on your child’s development, behaviour, strengths and challenges.
Behavioural Observations: Conducted in a relaxed, child-friendly environment to ensure your child feels comfortable.
World-Class Analysis: Using the latest tools and techniques to analyse and understand the neurological patterns of your child and truly understand how they see, respond to interact with the world around them.
Step Two: ASD Assessment & Evaluation.
We take an evidence-based and scientifically-proven approach to understanding your child.
Detailed insights: Clarity and understanding of not just how your child thinks & behaves, but also why. This reveals a deeper awareness of your child’s strengths, challenges, and needs.
Gold-Standard Investigation: Our approach to Autism assessment is industry-leading, using internationally proven tools such as ADOS.
Trusted Benchmarking: Using the 50+ years of combined experience of our paediatricians and psychologists, we take a 360° view of all the data to ensure we reach the right conclusions.
Step Three: ASD Diagnosis & Roadmap.
After a diagnosis, the first question parents ask is: “What do we do now?”.
A neurodiversity diagnosis is the end of the search, but the beginning of the journey. Our leading neurodevelopmental practitioner will walk you through the findings of the assessment, answering your questions, and giving you the insights you need to be confident about a brighter future for your family.
Other clinics will give you a report and some genetic websites. Bay Paediatrics devotes a whole consultation to answering your questions, showing you the roadmap for your family’s future and giving you bespoke guidance and tools to put you on the right path.
A Better Way To Understand Autism
Bay Paediatrics Delivers The Gold Standard in Autism Assessments
At Bay Paediatrics, we use the internationally recognised MIGDAS‑2 approach to autism assessment.
Unlike traditional testing methods such as ADOS‑2, MIGDAS focuses on understanding how your child experiences the world, not simply how they perform in a structured test.
This approach allows our clinicians to see the real child, not just how they behave in an artificial testing environment.
Why Some Children Are Missed by Traditional Autism Testing
For many years, autism assessments relied heavily on structured testing tools such as the ADOS-2. While these tools have played an important role in research and clinical practice, they can sometimes miss children whose autism presents in more subtle or complex ways.
This is particularly true for:
Girls, who often develop strong social coping strategies.
Bright or verbally able children who can “perform well” during structured tasks.
Children who mask their differences in unfamiliar environments.
Children whose challenges appear mainly at home or school rather than in short clinic sessions.
Many of these children have learned (often unconsciously) to hide their confusion, copy peers, or push themselves to fit in socially, especially in structured situations like assessments.
As a result, a traditional observation-based test may not always reveal the full picture.
Understanding the Child Behind the Mask
Using MIGDAS in our Autism Horizon assessment helps clinicians look beyond surface behaviours to understand the child’s internal experience of the world.
Rather than relying solely on rigid tasks, MIGDAS uses carefully guided conversation, sensory exploration, and interaction to explore:
How a child processes social situations
What their sensory world feels like
How they think about friendships and relationships
How they experience emotions and change
The role of interests, routines, and imagination
This approach helps uncover autistic traits that may not appear during standard, traditional testing.
A Modern, Neuro-Affirming Approach
Autism assessment has evolved significantly over the past decade.
Many clinicians now recognise that understanding autism requires listening to the child’s experience, not simply observing behaviours.
By incorporating the MIGDAS framework alongside developmental history, parent insights, and clinical expertise, the Bay Paediatrics Autism Horizon assessment is:
Evidence-informed and backed the latest neurodevelopmental research.
Respectful of neurodiversity
Sensitive to masking and subtle presentations
Focused on understanding the whole child
Because every child deserves to be truly understood, supported and seen …not just measured.
“I’ve recommended you to so many people. Not only did we finally get answers, but we have a plan that actually works and fits our family life. I appreciated the guidance and how your approach was something different and REAL. Thank you so much for helping us.”
Anna, Parent of a 9-Year Old
The Bay Paediatrics Difference
Our ‘Autism Horizon’™ assessment delivers life-changing clarity and direction for both children and their parents. Here are the outcomes we deliver:
For Your Child
Better Support at School
Imagine a classroom environment where your child feels seen and understood. Our tailored recommendations ensure teachers and school staff recognise your child’s unique needs, and help them stay engaged, focused, and thriving academically. From sensory-friendly adjustments to customised learning plans, we provide a roadmap for success.
Improved Communication Skills
Unlock your child’s ability to express themselves with confidence. Our assessment identifies areas of difficulty and suggests targeted interventions to enhance social interactions, foster meaningful connections, and encourage self-expression in ways that resonate with your child’s unique personality.
Boosted Confidence
Every child deserves to feel proud of who they are. Through strategies that celebrate their strengths and help them overcome challenges, your child can build a positive self-image and feel empowered to tackle new experiences with courage and enthusiasm.
Access to Support
Early intervention can be transformative. Our assessment connects your family with proven therapies, guidance and support tailored to your child’s needs—whether it’s speech therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioural support. These therapies can significantly improve developmental outcomes and set your child on a path to long-term success.
For You
Peace of Mind
No more second-guessing or sleepless nights. Gain a clear understanding of your child’s behaviors, challenges, and strengths. Our comprehensive assessment provides the reassurance that you’re taking the right steps, or guidance on how to adjust your approach for even better results.
Empowerment
Feel confident advocating for your child. With expert recommendations and resources at your fingertips, you’ll be equipped to navigate school systems, healthcare providers, and community resources with ease, ensuring your child receives the support they deserve.
Clarity and Direction
Replace confusion and overwhelm with a clear, actionable plan. Our detailed report breaks down your child’s needs and provides step-by-step guidance, helping you prioritize what matters most and tackle challenges with confidence.
Family Harmony
Create a more peaceful and supportive home environment. Learn practical strategies for managing meltdowns, improving communication, and building stronger connections with your child. Our tools help you foster a sense of calm and understanding within your family.
“Peace at last! Thank you SO much for everything you have done with my child. I’m so relieved to be moving in the right direction at long last. You have made such a difference in our family”
— Lorna, Parent of 12-year old
Clarity. Confidence. Certainty.
These are the three pillars of everything we do: Clarity, Confidence & Certainty.
This is what we give you. It’s what we stand for and what we live for.
Research shows that early and accurate Autism diagnosis can:
Help your child build essential social, emotional, and academic skills.
Deliver the strategies to help your child understand and manage their emotions.
Open doors to funding, therapies and resources that make a real difference.
Provide you with the tools to create a supportive environment for their growth.
Give you the skills and confidence to grow and thrive as a family
You don’t have to keep waiting and searching. The earlier you act, the more opportunities your child has to thrive.
Take the first step toward understanding your child and unlocking their potential. Schedule your comprehensive ASD ‘Autism Horizon’ assessment now and gain the clarity, confidence, and certainty you deserve
Fees & What’s Included
The Autism Horizon™ child ASD assessment includes:
ASD Developmental Evaluation: 90-minute consultation with our consultant paediatrician.
ASD Assessment Evaluation: 60-minute assessment with our lead practitioner.
MIGDAS-2 Assessment: The gold-standard in child Autism assessment techniques.
ASD Diagnosis & Roadmap: 60-minute strategy session with our neurodevelopmental practitioner to explain the outcome, and create a clear, bespoke strategy to support your family’s future.
ASD Diagnostic Report: In-depth report completed by our consultant paediatrician that details your child’s diagnosis & recommended next steps.
Fees
The Autism Horizon child ASD assessment is $2,499 + GST.
No more delays, confusion, overwhelm or nasty surprises. When you have Bay Paediatrics in your corner we are all-in. And we’re with you every step of the way.
Click here to book your consultation
Please note, we take your child’s diagnosis extremely seriously and truly want to understand their strengths and challenges.
All consultations are usually delivered in person in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. But we can explore running part or all of this assessment online. If you would like to explore online consultations please let us know.
"Thank you! This really is a gamechanger. We really struggled with the public healthcare & teachers not listening to us or having time for us. Now we feel hopeful about the future. Can’t recommend this enough"
— Sienne, Parent of a 6-Year-Old with Autism
Ready To Take The First Step To Your Child’s Future?
It’s time to get the answers. It’s time to be heard and it’s time to be understood.
Start your journey towards clarity, certainty and confidence for the future. Our team of neurodiversity experts is here to guide you every step of the way.
Click the button below to complete the application form and we’ll be in touch with the next steps.
FAQs
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No, you don’t need a referral from your GP, you can book your appointment directly with us.
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Complete the application here and we’ll send you some forms to complete. Our medical team will then review the data and recommend next steps to you.
If you suspect ADHD, we offer ADHD assessments at Bay Paediatrics. Click here to discover more and book.
However, when parents are unsure about what action to take, or don’t know whether an ADHD or Autism assessment is the right course of action, then a NeuroTherapy consultation is the perfect first step.
Our expert neurodevelomental practitioner, can give you immediate strategies to help at home. Click here to discover more.
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We can deliver Autism assessments for any child between 5 years old and 17 years old
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Absolutely. We’ll ask that you share any reports or information you’ve received so far, but you can allow us to be in your corner and we’ll get you to the right outcome fast.
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We generally conduct all assessments in our Tauranga clinic, The New Zealand Neurodiversity Centre of Excellence. People fly in from across New Zealand for our assessments, so we can work with you to book suitable dates.
However, it may also be possible to run some or all of your consultations online.
If you wish to explore this option, please mention it when applying.
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However, if you are travelling from further afield, we will work with you to coordinate clinic and assessment times so we keep your travel and disruption to a minimum.
Listen Up..
Get the support you need from the Bay Paediatrics team right NOW…with the EPIC Families Podcast & Community.
We’re giving families strength in neurodiversity by bringing you support and guidance from world-class experts.
Click below to listen, join and discover how to think differently about neurodiversity
