Assessments
At times an assessment is helpful and necessary to better determine whether your child meets criteria for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or a Specific Learning Disorder. Assessments can provide insight into a child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, with recommendations on how best to support them in both the home and school settings. An ADHD or ASD assessment can also inform a paediatrician or psychiatrist’s diagnostic process.
Medicare rebates are available when referred by a paediatrician for an ASD and Complex Neurodevelopmental Assessment.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment
An ADHD assessment looks at how your child processes information, sustains attention, manages impulse control, and performs academically. The goal is a clear picture — not just whether ADHD is present, but how it's showing up for your specific child, and what will actually help.
A child and adolescent ADHD assessment process includes:
A Clinical Interview
A Cognitive Assessment using the:Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition, Australian and New Zealand Standardised Edition (WISC-V A&NZ) for children aged between 6 years to 16 years 11 months
An Academic Achievement test using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Australian and New Zealand Standardised, Third Edition (WIAT-III A&NZ) for children, adolescents and adults aged from 4 years and up
Computer-based assessments (for individuals aged 8 and older): Conners Continuous Auditory Test of Attention (CATA) evaluates auditory processing and attention-related difficulties. Conners Continuous Performance Test - Third Edition (CPT 3) assesses attention related problems in the areas of Inattentiveness, Impulsivity, Sustained Attention, and Vigilance
Rating Scales for parent, teacher, and at times a self-report for the child (Conners 4 and DIVA 5)
A brief interview with teachers or other care givers
An adult ADHD assessment includes:
The Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA V)
Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS -11)
Feedback session
Psychometric Assessment
Psychometric assessments for the diagnosis of learning disorders, intellectual disability, or helping to better identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses and current academic attainment includes the following process:
A Clinical Interview
Cognitive Assessment using either the WPPSI (2:6 years - 7:7 years), WISC V (6:11 years -16:11 years), WAIS IV (16:0 - 90:11 years).
An Academic Test using the WIAT-III for children, adolescents and adults aged from 4 years and up
Questionnaires/rating Scales - parent and teacher forms
Brief interview with teachers or other care givers, if necessary
Gifted Assessment
A gifted assessment process includes:
Clinical Interview
Cognitive Assessment
Academic Test
Gifted Rating Scales and other Questionnaires as needed
Autism Spectrum Diagnostic Assessment
The diagnostic assessment includes:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) and Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) - considered the “gold standard” assessment tools often required for official funding for the school and community (National Disability Insurance Scheme; NDIS).
An Adaptive Behaviour Assessment to help better determine functional capacity
Rating Scales for parents and teachers such as Sensory Profile 2 and Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS)
Complex Neurodevelopmental Assessment
An assessment for children with co-occurring neurodivergence, such as autism, intellectual disability, ADHD and learning differences. This assessment includes the ADOS, ADI-R, Cognitive assessment, academic achieivement if applicable, and rating scales for parents and teachers.