Assessments

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

We can also assess for autism – scroll down page for more info about autism assessments.

Who might benefit from a psycho-educational 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

What is a psycho-educational report?

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

Tell me about the assessment process and fees

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Assessment type	What’s involved?	Time in clinic	Fee
Comprehensive psychoeducational assessment package (includes learning and ADHD)	Parent intake (to obtain a developmental history and determine a plan to conduct the assessment, including the measures we will use) Cognitive and learning assessments (WISC/ WIAT) Completion of questionnaires Report preparation Feedback session Comprehensive report	50 mins 2 x 2.5hrs for testing child (approx.) 50 mins with parents	$2200
Autism Assessment Package	Parent intake Appointment with child Formal assessment (MIGDAS-2 Interview with child) Completion of teacher and parent questionnaires Report preparation Feedback session Comprehensive report	50 mins 90 mins for assessing child (minimum) 50 mins with parents	$1800
	+ School observation	1 hour at kindy/ child care centre	Add $250 (plus $25 per 30 mins travel)
	+ Cognitive assessment/ report (WISC)	2 hrs with child	Add $500
	+ NDIS access support letter		Add $400
ADHD Assessment Package	Parent intake Formal assessment of child Completion of questionnaires (parent/ teacher) Report preparation Feedback session Comprehensive report	50 mins 50 mins with child 50 mins with parents	$1300
	+ Cognitive assessment (WISC)	2 hrs with child	Add $500
	+ Learning assessment (WIAT)	3 hrs with child	Add $750
Intellectual disability Assessment Package	Cognitive assessment (WISC) Functional assessment Completion of standardised measures Report preparation Feedback session Comprehensive report	2 hrs with child 50 mins with parents	$1850
School readiness Assessment Package	Clinical interview and observation with child Completion of standardised measures Report preparation Feedback session Short report	50 mins with child 50 mins with parents	$1350
	+ Kindy observation		Add $250 (plus $25 per 30 mins travel)
	+ Phone call with teacher		$50 for 15 mins

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  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 a ‘battery of testing’.

• Standardised psychometric questionnaires may be emailed to parents and teachers,
• For intelligence and learning assessments, your child spends 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.
• Our commonly used tests are the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Wesschler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT).
• For autism assessments, as well as a detailed developmental interview with parents, psychologists observe children’s behaviour and score parent and teacher questionnaires.
• Typical tests used are the MIGDAS-2, 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.
• The report identifies your child’s strengths and weaknesses.  The report will include suggestions about treatment to optimise your child’s development (at home and school).

Are there any rebates?

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

Medicare for autism assessments: 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. Instead, the psychologist would go straight into testing and then feedback.

To book in an assessment for your child, please call 07 3371 9998.