Assessment
Early assessment and diagnosis play a vital role in a child's development. Identifying potential developmental delays or challenges early on allows for timely intervention and support, maximizing the child's potential for growth and well-being. Early intervention can significantly improve a child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, leading to better long-term outcomes.
Important notes
At Wonderful Mind, we believe in the importance of comprehensive assessments conducted by our highly qualified Clinical Psychologist. These assessments provide a detailed understanding of an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. The diagnoses derived from these assessments are formal and stand-alone, meaning they do not require further endorsement from a medical doctor or pediatrician.
This ensures that our clients receive timely and accurate diagnoses, enabling them to access appropriate support and interventions without delay.
Our Clinical Psychologist's expertise and rigorous assessment process guarantee the validity and reliability of the diagnostic conclusions, providing a strong foundation for effective treatment planning and intervention.
At Wonderful Mind, we are dedicated to providing professional and appropriate assessment services for children of all ages. Our team of experienced clinicians uses evidence-based practices and a comprehensive approach to assess and diagnose developmental needs. We are committed to working collaboratively with families, providing them with the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to navigate their child's developmental journey. We believe that early intervention is key, and we are here to help families access the right support at the right time.
Assessments we offer may include:
1. Cognitive Assessments
2. Intellectual Ability Assessments
3. Autism Assessments
4. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessments*
5. Educational Assessment (Learning disorder, Academic performance, and dyslexia)
6. Personality Assessments (18+)
ADHD assessment (screener) can be conducted by our team at Wonderful Mind; however, medications cannot be prescribed by psychologists or psychotherapists. If you are seeking an ADHD diagnosis with the goal of obtaining ADHD medication, we suggest discussing this with your GP for a referral to see a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Both paediatricians and psychiatrists can prescribe ADHD medication, and many prefer to complete their own assessments, and therefore may not prescribe medication based on external assessments unless they advise otherwise.
Fees &
Rebates
Psychological assessments generally require around 8 to 9 hours, though this can vary based on the individual needs of each case, the information gathered, and how the child or client responds to the assessment process.
Here's what the assessment involves:
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Senior Clinical Psychologist (4 hours): This includes the initial consultation, an observation session, and two separate consultation and feedback sessions. Medicare rebates are available for these sessions with our clinical psychologist (currently $141.85 per hour).
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Provisional Psychologist (4 hours): This time includes a combination of direct and indirect contact with the client.
For clients under 25 years old with complex neurological conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, a Medicare rebate of $96.99 is available for assessment and report writing, as well as assessments and interventions. To utilize these Medicare rebates, we'll need a valid mental health treatment plan and a referral from your GP.
Important Note: The estimated assessment hours are subject to change based on the complexity of the case and individual needs.
Cognitive Assessment
$2,160.00 (estimated cost)
At Wonderful Mind, we offer the following cognitive assessments to children aged 2.5 years to 17 years:
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Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) - ages 2.5-7:7
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Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) - ages 6-16
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Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) - ages 16+
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Wechsler non-verbal WNV
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Memory Assessment
ADHD Assessment
$2,160.00 (estimated cost)
At Wonderful Mind, we offer ADHD assessments to children aged 4 years and above. ADHD assessments involve observations from a holistic viewpoint. This includes: 3. Parent/carer meetings to gather relevant background and developmental history, and current presentations and behaviour. 4. Parents and Educators interview (CONNERS, and BASC or CBCL) 5. A feedback session with parents to discuss the results of the assessment and to provide information about the written report. * More sessions may be required depending on the individual and their needs.
ADHD & Cognitive Assessments
$2,480.00 (estimated cost)
Screening for Cognitive and ADHD combined assessment when necessary offers significant benefits. It allows for early identification and intervention, leading to improved outcomes. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the individual's needs, including any co-occurring challenges, facilitating accurate diagnosis and tailored intervention plans. Furthermore, it streamlines the assessment process, reduces report writing time, and lowers costs for clients. By gathering all necessary information in one assessment, psychologists can efficiently develop targeted interventions and foster better collaboration among professionals involved in the individual's care.
Autism (ASD) Assessment
$2,160.00 (estimated cost)
At Wonderful Mind, we utelise a comprehensive autism-specific assessment which is a universal standardized autism assessment tool for kids above 1 years old and adults. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2).
A team of highly trained clinicians would work as a team to will engage and play with your child and conduct a full diagnosis. The ADOS is a natural and activity-based assessment that evaluates children's communication skills, social interactions, and behaviors. The assessment includes detailed questions for families and effective pretend play components that make the process more fun if conducted for kids. The ADOS is also very effective at screening children and adults who have limited or no verbal communication skills. It is not as effective for individuals with significant sensory or motor impairments (e.g., blindness, deafness, confined to wheelchair). For younger children, parents remain in the room and are a part of the evaluation. For adolescents and adults, parents are not needed for the assessment. ADOS 2 to children and adults aged 12 months and above. Autism assessments involve observations from a holistic viewpoint. This includes:
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Parent/carer meetings to gather relevant background and developmental history, and current presentations and behaviour.
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Consultation with teachers/educators to gather information about the individuals’ academic achievements, and behaviours in a school/educational setting.
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Observations of individuals for the clinician to see how they engage in an educational, home, or community setting where relevant and necessary.
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If relevant Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS - Parent), which is an assessment form completed by the parent/carer.
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If relevant Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS - Psychologist), which is an assessment form completed by the clinician.
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Comprehensive ADI assessments conducted to help determine if you meet the criteria for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
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Vineland-3, which is an assessment form completed by either the parent/carer or education setting.
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Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS2), which is a formal assessment done by our clinical psychologist observing the child in the clinic.
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Report writing to consolidate the results and findings, and to make recommendations.
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Following the assessment, we provide a dedicated Feedback Session where parents can meet with our specialists to discuss the findings in detail and receive a comprehensive explanation of the diagnosis.
Intellectual Ability Assessments
$2,160.00 (estimated cost)
Intellectual Ability Assessment refers to a systematic approach used to evaluate an individual's cognitive capabilities, such as reasoning, problem-solving and comprehension. These assessments often involve standardized tests designed to measure aspects of intelligence, including verbal, mathematical, and spatial skills. The results can provide valuable insights into a person's strengths and weaknesses, guiding educational and professional development. Overall, it serves as an important tool for understanding cognitive potential and informing decision-making in various contexts.
Educational Assessments
$2,160.00 (estimated cost)
At Wonderful Mind, the assessment process educational evaluations involves several key steps to ensure a thorough understanding of each student's needs. Initially, we conduct a comprehensive intake interview with parents or guardians to discuss concerns and gather background information Following this, a series of standardized tests and are administered to measure academic performance and identify any potential learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Our then analyzes the results and creates a detailed report, providing recommendations for tailored support and intervention strategies to help each student thrive academically.
Educational & Autism OR ADHD Assessments
$3,400.00 (estimated cost)
By combining both assessments simultaneously, our clinicians can streamline the information-gathering process and reduce the time spent on report writing. This efficiency allows us to lower our fees, making our services more accessible to everyone. We believe in providing quality care while ensuring that costs are kept manageable for our clients.
Educational, Autism & ADHD Assessments
$4,000.00 (estimated cost)
Screening for ASD, ADHD, and educational needs in a single, combined assessment when necessary offers significant benefits. It allows for early identification and intervention, leading to improved outcomes. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the individual's needs, including any co-occurring challenges, facilitating accurate diagnosis and tailored intervention plans. Furthermore, it streamlines the assessment process, reduces report writing time, and lowers costs for clients. By gathering all necessary information in one assessment, psychologists can efficiently develop targeted interventions and foster better collaboration among professionals involved in the individual's care.
