Assessments

Nest psychologists are trained to complete psychological assessments to identify intelligence, learning differences (e.g. learning disorders and giftedness), autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Who might benefit from an assessment?

School aged children who are struggling with their learning overall
School aged children who have specific difficulties with reading, writing or maths
Children with memory or attention difficulties
Children with behavioural difficulties, such as sitting still or having frequent anger outbursts
Children with social difficulties
Teens and adults who struggle with attention or learning
Adults who are questioning their neurodivergence (e.g wondering if they have autism or ADHD)

What is the assessment process?

Your Nest psychologist completes a 50-minute intake session to understand the difficulties
Your Nest psychologist will recommend the appropriate package from the list below, and confirm times for the assessment sessions and feedback session.
You or your child will complete a battery of assessments with your Nest psychologist.
Your Nest psychologist will write you a comprehensive report.
Your Nest psychologist will go through the findings with you in a feedback session.

What is an assessment report?

It’s a long report that tells you all about you or your child’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses, compared with their peers.
Recommendations are provided to help you, parents and teachers understand how to optimise learning and behaviour.
This information can help educators to give children the best support possible throughout their schooling, including suggestions about modifications that can be made at school and home.

The assessment packages and fees are listed below (as at 27 July 2024):

Assessment package

1. Educational learning assessment package	Parent intake: $250 Full assessment, verbal feedback and report: $2000
2. Autism assessment package	Parent intake: $250 Full assessment, verbal feedback and report: $1800 (does not include a learning assessment)
3. ADHD assessment package	Parent intake: $250 Full assessment, verbal feedback and report: $1800 (does not include a learning assessment)
4. Autism and learning assessment package	Parent intake: $250 Full assessment, verbal feedback and report: $2350
5. ADHD and learning assessment package	Parent intake: $250 Full assessment, verbal feedback and report: $2200
6. Autism and ADHD assessment package	Parent intake: $250 Full assessment, verbal feedback and report: $2350
7. Autism, ADHD and learning package	Parent intake: $250 Full assessment, verbal feedback and report: $2500

Tell me more about what happens.

During the ‘parent intake’, parents or guardians meet with your Nest psychologist for 50 minutes to talk about about your child (development, strengths and difficulties). After this, your psychologist will recommend the appropriate assessment package for your child.
If the assessment is for an adult, the ‘parent intake’ will be with the adult client only.
Standardised psychometric questionnaires may be emailed to parents and teachers,
For intelligence and learning assessments, your child spends about two 2 hour sessions with a psychologist doing a series of tests (generally, on the iPad). Kids find them to be quite fun. Game-like tests assess verbal skills, processing speed, working memory, maths skills and oral ability.
For learning assessments, our commonly used tests are the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) and the Weschler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III).
For autism assessments, our psychologists use the MIGDAS-2, and obtain a detailed developmental interview with parents. Psychologists observe children’s behaviour and score parent and teacher questionnaires.
For ADHD assessments, our psychologists use the DIVA interview protocol.
Other typical tests that may be used are the Conners, Brown Executive Functioning/Attention Scales, Vineland/Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System or the Social Responsiveness Scale. Tests are carefully selected according to your child’s presentation and age.
For all assessments, a 50 minute feedback session with the parents (and child, if deemed appropriate) where your psychologist explains their findings and answers your questions. Parents are presented with a comprehensive report.
Your psychologist can also schedule a feedback with your child for a fee.

Are there any rebates?

Medicare for psychoeducational assessments: There are currently no Medicare rebates available for psychoeducational assessments.

Medicare for autism assessments: Small rebates are be available for Autism assessments for individuals under the age of 25 with a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist.

NDIS: For self-managed or plan-managed NDIS clients, clients can check with their support coordinator or plan manager to discuss using their NDIS funds for psychological assessment.

Private Health: Some providers may provide rebates for assessments and it is advised that clients check with their fund.

The assessment process for existing clients of Nest is exactly the same. However, you do not need the initial parent session, which reduces the fee by $250.