Psychological Assessments for Children and Adults
Psychological assessments
Michaela is trained in a range of assessments for both children and adults
Michaela provides psychological assessments and reports for NDIS participants
Michaela has been working with clients with a disability for a number of years, mostly with participants presenting with neurodiversity (ASD, ADHD) and other complex mental health issues.
She completes assessments and reports to assist in diagnosis, and tailors support needs for each individual based on their NDIS plans, applications and reviews. NDIS participants can be seen at our rooms in Hampton, via Telehealth, or at the participant’s home or school (as applicable).
Please note that each assessment varies in length and complexity therefore prices also vary. Prices and the time needed to complete the assessment will be discussed with you prior to booking your assessment.
Please note that these assessments do not automatically lead to a diagnosis. Multidisciplinary teams are often needed and required. Collaboration with the treating psychiatrist or pediatrician is necessary before a formal diagnosis can be made.
FAQ
How is a psychological assessment conducted?
After an initial session (which is separate from the assessment), you will get an email with your specific assessment process and the price. You can find more information about child and adult assessments on our blog.
Generally, a psychological assessment includes several sessions with a combination of in-person and online (if wanted). The psychologist will be administering a standardised battery of tests and conducting interviews. We use the "gold standard tools" currently available. At Therapy with Michaela, we follow both ASD and ADHD guidelines we have here in Australia to assess these conditions.
What is the purpose of a psychological assessment?
The purpose of a psychological assessment is to gather a comprehensive understanding of one's strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas of concern. This can offer guidance on the most appropriate form of treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Additionally, they can help predict a person's future behaviour and their potential to succeed in specific fields such as academics, careers, and relationships.
When should I get an assessment?
As an adult, you may struggle more with certain things that others don't appear to struggle with. You may also feel like you are not reaching your potential, or you may feel confused and as if you are not fitting in.
When should I organise an assessment for my child?
A psychological assessment can be recommended by others like teachers, paediatricians, psychiatrists, GPs or allied health professionals. For children, it's often about parents' concerns and feeling that their child is different to their peers and/or has difficulty understanding and following instructions. Or, being advised that they are constantly bored at school, have social difficulties, etc.
What type of information can be gathered from a psychological assessment?
Depending on the assessment selected, this can include one's cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, social interactions and overall mental health. The assessment can aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, and measuring treatment progress.
How long does a psychological assessment take?
An assessment can take several weeks to months, depending on needed information, other people's involvement and the complexity of one's presentation (e.g. trauma history). With children often at school/kinder, observations also need to be also completed there.
Does an assessment have to be in person or online?
Several sessions must be completed in person, as they provide valuable information that can't be observed and assessed online. Some conditions like ASD and ADHD cannot be assessed online, so an in-person session is crucial.
Do other people (parents, siblings and/or friends) need to be part of an assessment?
Yes, at least one additional person will be needed to be part of most assessments, except for cognitive assessments. This is due to assessing one's insight and level of day-to-day functioning as well as gathering childhood/developmental information. They will be invited to some of the sessions, but not all of them.
How much does a psychological assessment cost?
The prices vary based on your age, history and the complexity of your presentation. A fee for the assessment will be provided to you after an initial session, however, you can contact us via phone or email to get an estimate based on the type of assessment you are seeking (ADHD, ASD, Cognitive, Personality, Adaptive behaviour, etc.).
What is included in a psychological assessment report?
The report summarises the gathered information; it provides your/your child's background information, results of the assessments completed, and a summary of findings and recommendations. We will also give you several handouts with some tips to support you. You will always get a pdf version of the report, and if you complete the feedback session in person, you will also receive a hard copy of your assessment report.
How can I find a qualified psychologist to conduct an assessment?
A psychologist needs to be registered with AHPRA in Australia. For ASD assessments, additional training specific to ASD assessment is required, which most psychologists obtain after they complete their university education. The standards of ASD and ADHD assessments are linked here as well, so you can ensure the professional is using the right process.
What should I do if I am not happy with the results of my assessment?
We encourage you to reach out and discuss your concerns with us.
With ASD assessment, psychological testing is only one part of a multidisciplinary process, so you will have to speak to a speech pathologist to gather further information, and the outcome will have to be confirmed by a psychiatrist/paediatrician.