Assessment Information

Assessments I offer:

• Cognitive assessments for children aged 6-16 years (using the WISC-V)

• Autism and ADHD assessment for child and adolescents 

Please note: I am not currently providing full diagnostic assessments for adults. For adults wishing to explore Autism or ADHD or other neurodevelopmental differences, I can conduct initial screening and discuss further options with you. 

Pricing:

Fees vary depending on your needs. Please reach out via email for further information. 

What is typically included in an autism assessment for a child or adolescent?

• Initial intake forms, parent and teacher questionnaires

• Session 1: Parent/caregiver session completed via telehealth.

• Session 2: Child/adolescent MIGDAS-2

• Session 3: Child/adolescent cognitive assessment (WISC-V)

• Report writing and liaison with other professionals as needed (allow at least 2-3 weeks)

• Session 4: Feedback and copy of written report provided

ASSESSMENTS FAQ:

Why are psychological assessments so expensive?

I agree  psychological assessments can be very expensive. There are several factors that contribute to the overall cost, including:

• Assessment tools used: Many assessment measures require paid forms, scoring software, and ongoing subscription fees.

• Clinician time: Assessments involve many hours beyond face-to-face appointments, including:

  • Reviewing referral information and background history

  • Scoring and interpreting assessment results

  • Integrating information from multiple sources

  • Differential diagnosis and clinical formulation

  • Comprehensive report writing

• Professional expertise and supervision: Clinicians undertake extensive training, ongoing professional development, and supervision to ensure assessments are accurate and ethical.

• Collaboration with others: Time spent liaising with teachers, paediatricians, and other professionals is an important part of the assessment process.

• Medicare rebates: Psychological assessments are not covered under Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan rebates, meaning the full cost of the assessment is often privately billed. With a valid referral for a paediatrician or psychiatrist, you may be eligible for a smaller  rebate under item 8200. 

Assessments are complex and aim to provide a thorough, reliable understanding of an individual’s strengths, challenges, and support needs.

Why do assessment costs vary between clinics?

Assessment fees can vary between clinics for several reasons, including:

• Assessment tools used: Some clinics use proprietary (paid) assessment tools, while others may use a combination of paid and free measures.

• Clinician experience and training: Fees may reflect a clinician’s level of experience, specialist training, and expertise.

• Time allocation: Clinics differ in how much time is allocated for assessment, scoring, interpretation, and report writing.

• Practice costs: Software, scoring subscriptions, report templates, and administrative support all contribute to overall costs.

• Demand for services: High demand and limited availability can also influence pricing.

Ultimately, fees are generally based on the total time and resources required to complete a thorough and ethical assessment.

What if I don’t agree with the outcome of the assessment?

Assessment outcomes are based on clinical judgement, informed by assessment results, background information, and diagnostic criteria. If you have concerns:

• Please discuss them with me in the first instance. If you feel important information has been missed or misinterpreted, I am very open to reviewing this with you.

• In some cases, results may be unclear, and we may need to monitor progress over time or gather further information.

• You are always entitled to seek a second opinion from another clinician.

Different clinicians may sometimes reach different conclusions based on their training, clinical experience, interpretation of diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5), and the information available at the time. Additionally, some diagnoses become clearer as a child develops.

How long will I have to wait for the feedback session and report?

I aim to schedule a feedback session within a few weeks of completing all assessment components. However, timelines can vary depending on:

• The complexity of the assessment

• The need for additional information or consultation

• Waiting for reports or questionnaires from teachers, paediatricians, or other professionals

I will keep you informed if there are any delays and will provide the report as soon as it is finalised.