The intake session is designed to collect information about you and discuss the specific purpose/goals of the assessment. It also helps your psychologist determine the type of assessment and measures that would be most suited to providing the information you are seeking. Your psychologist will discuss this with you in the intake session and provide an assessment plan. This will include the cost to help you make an informed decision about whether to continue. There is no commitment at this point.

During the assessment, your psychologist may also recommend a change to the plan based on the assessment results. This is because, as more information is gathered, it may become clear that the difficulty is likely due to another factor (e.g., attentional disorder). This will be discussed, and a new plan, including any additional costs, will be confirmed. The reverse may also occur. Your results may require fewer measures to be completed, which would result in a lower cost.

The details of the report will depend in part on the type of assessment and the specific assessment question. The report follows a general structure: a brief summary of your personal history, details of the assessments administered, results and their interpretation, and a summary, followed by recommendations.

If you require an assessment report for a specific purpose, this needs to be discussed with your psychologist before starting the assessment in order for them to ensure that they collect all the necessary information to complete your report. Your report can be focused more directly on addressing specific recommendations for your intended purpose.

There are many reasons why someone may seek an assessment. Most often, the main purpose is to confirm a diagnosis and seek assistance with understanding or treating the condition. For children and adolescents, reports are often sought for learning and educational purposes. These assessments may be used to help identify potential difficulties that are affecting an individual’s performance and to help inform learning options (such as accommodations, special provisions, strategies) to address this.

Assessment outcomes may be used by schools or other academic institutions to access funding or other supports to assist with learning. Assessment may also be sought for NDIS funding or an initial NDIS application. In adults, diagnosis is often used to confirm the presence of a condition, allowing someone to seek appropriate treatment. The information may also be used to assist in the workplace.

Many people find that formal confirmation of their presentation or neurotype, and understanding the way their brain works, provides relief. Developing a firmer understanding of one’s self can be very helpful in forming self-acceptance and self-respect.

If you are seeking an assessment for a particular purpose, such as funding or education assistance, it is asked that you inform your psychologist at the intake session in order for them to appropriately structure the report for the intended purpose.

Mainly due to the time required to assess, interpret, and write up the information. As outlined in the assessment steps, several processes are involved in conducting an assessment. Each of these steps requires time for the psychologist to complete the assessment. Piecing together the results from the measures along with other supporting information is a complex process that requires both time and extensive knowledge. As each person is unique, the information must be interpreted based on your specific presentation and results in combination, not simply the responses from the measure alone. The time required to complete this is the reason for the cost.

No, Medicare does not approve rebates for assessments. You may use Medicare for treatment following your assessment if you choose to engage in further sessions to work on the areas identified in the report.

Your Private Health Fund can advise if they will fully or partially fund the assessment. NDIS participants’ funding packages also vary so it is best to discuss with your support coordinator whether a psychological assessment is part of your package.

No, Medicare does not approve rebates for the purpose of assessments. You may use Medicare for treatment following your assessment if you choose to engage in further sessions to work on the areas identified in the report.

Your Private Health Fund can advise if they will fully or partially fund the assessment. NDIS participant’s funding packages also vary so it is best to discuss with your support coordinator whether psychological assessment is part of your package.