At Autism & Dyslexia Assessments Perth, we aim to provide families with a safe and comfortable environment in which to explore their concerns and get the best out of their child during the assessment process. Our service is confidential and respectful of your needs, circumstances and culture.
Our assessment process is one of understanding and listening to your concerns, using relevant diagnostic tools and spending 1-1 time with your child or you. We work together as a team to gather as much information as we can during the assessment process in order to ensure a confident and conclusive outcome. We will either rule in or out whether this diagnosis is a good fit, and if Autism or Specific Learning Disorder is not an appropriate diagnosis we will provide an indication of what we think may be a more accurate explanation for you or your child’s presentation.
The assessment process begins before we meet your child. We collect background information from you and (where relevant) school to understand your child in the context of their everyday life.
This is when you and your child meet with our clinicians. The session is tailored to your child’s age and needs, using well-established assessment tools alongside observation and interaction.
We meet with you to talk through the results, then provide a clear written report that brings everything together, including practical recommendations.
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Linda Orton is a Speech Pathologist with over 25 years’ experience working with children and families across health, education, private practice and disability settings, including rural and remote Western Australia. She has a particular interest in supporting children and adolescents with speech, language and social communication differences, and works collaboratively with families to build understanding of each child’s unique strengths and differences. A central focus of her work is ensuring that assessment and diagnosis are thoughtful, accurate and genuinely helpful for guiding support.
Linda is completing her PhD at Curtin University, where her research focuses on early speech motor development and improving the differential diagnosis of speech sound disorders in young children. She also contributes to the training of future clinicians through sessional academic work at Curtin. She holds a Master of Public Health, with research focused on attachment and self-determination in young children with disabilities. Linda has been involved in a range of research and evaluation projects, including independent evaluation work for Western Australian state government disability services, as well as work with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language at Macquarie University.
In 2015, Linda co-founded Autism Assessments Perth (now Autism and Dyslexia Assessments Perth) with Emma Miller, to provide timely, high-quality and neuroaffirming assessments for families. Alongside this work, she has continued to provide assessment and support for children with speech, oral language and written language difficulties. This has included collaborative, joint assessments with Emma for children presenting with suspected dyslexia. In response to increasing demand for Specific Learning Disorder (dyslexia) assessments, the practice formally expanded its services in late 2025 to include comprehensive SLD assessments, and was renamed Autism and Dyslexia Assessments Perth.
Linda is a trained autism assessor, registered Medicare provider, Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia, and a member of the Western Australian Autism Diagnosticians’ Forum. Alongside her clinical and academic work, she is also the parent of two teenage daughters, which continues to inform her understanding of the everyday realities of family life.
Emma is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working with both adults and children, with a particular focus on child mental health and supporting strong, connected family relationships.
Emma completed postgraduate training in applied developmental psychology and clinical psychology, and developed a special interest in autism early in her career. Emma went on to complete a PhD exploring visual information processing in autism, and continues to have a strong interest in supporting autistic individuals across the lifespan, particularly in the assessment of autism in women and girls.
Emma has worked across a range of settings, including the Child Development Service, adult inpatient mental health, and private practice. Her approach is thoughtful and collaborative, with an emphasis on self-compassion, secure attachment, and understanding each person within the context of their relationships and environment. As a parent of two teenage girls (and a much-loved Labradoodle), she also brings a practical understanding of family life, which supports a grounded and relatable approach in her work. She is a trained autism assessor and previously served as Course Coordinator and Lecturer for the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis at the University of Western Australia (2016–2019).
In 2015, Emma co-founded Autism Assessments Perth with Linda Orton, with the aim of providing efficient, compassionate, and high-quality neuroaffirming assessments for individuals across the lifespan. Over time, the demand for their Specific Learning Disorder (dyslexia) assessments increased, and the practice was formally renamed Autism and Dyslexia Assessments Perth in late 2025 to reflect this.
Emma is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association and the Western Australian Autism Diagnosticians’ Forum, and is a registered Medicare provider.
With a strong background in healthcare and client support, Donna brings compassion, organisation, and professionalism to her role as an Assessment Coordinator. A retired nurse, she developed a deep understanding of patient care, communication, and attention to detail throughout her clinical career.
Following her time in nursing, Donna spent 10 years in front-of-house administration, where she honed her skills in client relations, scheduling, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment.
Since 2021, Donna has specialised in coordinating developmental assessments. She is passionate about guiding clients and families through the assessment process, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and at ease every step of the way. Her approachable nature and commitment to helping others make her a valued point of contact for clients navigating what can often be a complex time.
