Bookings are currently available for assessments.
TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS OFFERED:
We offer a range of assessments to identify learning difficulties/disorders, as well as ADHD and autism assessments. There are a number of options for these assessments, which are discussed during your intake session to determine the most appropriate ones.
Learning and Educational Assessments
Our most popular assessment is a comprehensive cognitive and academic assessment that includes some screening for learning difficulties/differences, ADHD and/or Autism.
This assessment process typically involves 5-6 hours of in-person assessment over 2-3 sessions, exploring multiple areas of cognitive functioning, behavioural observation and academic skills. An effort is made during each assessment to build rapport, ensure sessions are reasonably comfortable and engaging. This helps gain an accurate measure of abilities and hear the young person’s own insight.
The cognitive component (eg WISC/WAIS) measures how a person thinks, learns and remembers information. It assists in identifying strengths and weaknesses in areas such as memory, problem-solving, processing speed, visual, verbal and quantitative reasoning.
The education component (eg WIAT) examines different skills required in school/university/work settings to further understand areas of strengths and weaknesses, such as reading skills, writing abilities, calculation, worded problem solving, listening and recalling information – both verbally and when written.
Screening measures include a combination of questionnaires completed by the student and a person who are familiar with the student in different settings.
Results are then combined with background information and professional observations to provide a holistic understanding of the young person and their specific strengths and challenges. Targeted recommendations are included in the report to assist in decreasing stress and to improve wellbeing, self-confidence and performance.
Partial assessments
Any part of the above can be completed in isolation. Sometimes paediatricians may request a cognitive assessment. Or they may be completed to follow up on a previous assessment or screen for specific learning issues.
Neurodiversity (ADHD/Autism) Assessments
A neurodiversity assessment is a comprehensive psychosocial assessment aimed at identifying neurodiversity, such as autism and ADHD. Neurodivergence includes, but is not limited to, differences in a person’s interpersonal and social style, communication, time management, organisation, memory, concentration, perception, and processing skills.
Research tells us that there can often be overlap between ADHD, Autism and Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs). As such, it can be beneficial to undertake a comprehensive assessment to better understand these neurodiverse brains and their unique strengths and challenges.
Assessing for neurodiversity may involve using the MIGDAS-2 and WAIS/WISC, along with other questionnaires from different perspectives. The inclusion of cognitive testing provides a clearer understanding of your presentation and enables a more in-depth profile. The results of these measures are interpreted alongside consideration of developmental history and education/occupational functioning to explore differences often experienced by neurodivergent individuals.
Assessment Clinic
Throughout December and January we will be holding our Assessment Clinic.
Several assessment places are available with our psychologist during the Assessment Clinic to make use of the holiday period, with students being available throughout the day.
Assessments and reports will be completed in order to provide to schools at the start of the academic year. Targeted recommendations will be included in each assessment and may assist with applications for accommodations/special provisions (VCE).
Early bookings are encouraged to gather information from teachers before the end of the school year.
ASSESSMENTS FEES
We offer a number of individualised assessments. A personal quote will be provided based on the needs and aims of the assessment and report. The options will be presented to you during the intake session. The number of assessment measures required including the time required to both administer and interpret will affect the cost, along with the requirements of the report.
The quote provided by the psychologist will only vary if you decide to complete additional measures, or if the time required is less than estimated.
We charge as you go to ensure that the payments are more manageable. This also ensures that your psychologist is paid for their time. A part payment is required for the report to be started and the remaining payment for the report is required before the feedback session.
Costs are broken down by the time required for your psychologist to complete the assessments and write the report.
Costs Cover:
Online Measures – includes time taken to administer and interpret measures as well as the cost associated with the purchase of these measures and results.
Assessment Session – includes your attendance to complete the measures. This also includes the cost associated with purchase of the measures, any time required to score the measures and enter results.
Interpretation – includes the time spent reviewing the results against the history collected in order to interpret what this means for you.
Report Writing – includes the time required to compile your information and describe how these results are meaningful to your personal experience. This also includes piecing together recommendations based on your results.
Feedback Session – includes your attendance to discuss the results and recommendations.
* Note that the use of licensed measures typically requires a cost per use which is incorporated into the assessment session cost.