Assessments

The Assessment Process

Getting Started: Enquiry

• To begin the process, simply reach out to us via our online form or by phone. Once we receive your enquiry, your family will be placed on our waitlist. We understand that this process can take time, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Pre-assessment Review Call

• When a spot becomes available, one of our experienced clinicians will reach out to you by phone. Together, we’ll decide on the most suitable assessment pathway, ensuring that we’re fully aligned with your child’s individual needs and your family’s goals.
• At this point, we will schedule your intake appointment (also called a clinical interview) and discuss any payment details and costs.
• We’ll also share helpful information on what documents or reports to bring to the appointment, such as any previous assessments or referrals that may support the current assessment process.

Intake Appointment (Clinical Interview)

• During this 70-90 minute appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with your psychologist, to talk about your child’s development, current challenges, and strengths. This is an opportunity for you to share your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and needs.
• Together, we’ll explore the best way to approach the assessment, ensuring that the process respects your child’s individuality. We’ll create a plan for the assessment process, with your input, and schedule any necessary assessment sessions.
• Depending on what’s discussed during your pre-assessment call, you might also attend an additional session with your child on the day of your intake appointment.

Questionnaires and Screeners

• After the intake appointment, your psychologist may send questionnaires to you, your child, and/or your child’s teacher. These tools help us gain a deeper understanding of how your child experiences and responds to different environments, helping us identify both their strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful.
• We kindly ask that these questionnaires are completed before your first assessment session, as they are an important part of the process. We want to ensure we gather as much information as possible to build a comprehensive picture of your child’s needs. 

Assessment Sessions

• Assessment sessions will vary depending on the specific needs of your child. You may be scheduled for a series of appointments, which can range from one to six sessions, based on the type of assessment you’re seeking.
• Some of these appointments will involve your child, while others may be focused on parent or caregiver input.

Diagnostic Formulation & Report Writing

• Once all data from questionnaires, observations, and assessment sessions have been gathered, your psychologist will carefully review and interpret the information. We aim to understand your child’s strengths, talents, and areas where they may benefit from additional support.
• A detailed, personalised report will be prepared, outlining background information, assessment results, and most importantly, individualised recommendations to help your child both at home and in their community.

Feedback Session

• During your 50 minute feedback session, your psychologist will share the assessment results, conclusions and the reasoning behind them. A primary focus will be to discuss the practical, neurodiversity-affirming recommendations designed to support your child in everyday life.
• This session is often held without your child present, but if you’d like, you can also request an additional 30-minute session to explain the results directly to your child in a way that respects their needs and their understanding.