Assessment Services

Your Mind Matters provides various assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Services available include psychological, educational, and neurodevelopmental assessments that involve multiple methods of gathering information such as interviews, observations, formal testing and questionnaires. Assessments at Your Mind Matters will provide individuals with insight and validation, a better understanding of their strengths, differences and challenges, and access to necessary supports and adjustments.

Autism Assessments

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder and brain-style difference that influences how an individual socialises, communicates, thinks, and processes information. Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning that each Autistic individual will have a unique profile of strengths and support needs.

Autism assessments at Your Mind Matters can vary depending on the individual, their needs and referral reason; however, the process typically involves the following:

Child and Adolescent

Assessment instruments used with young people often include:

Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum – Second Edition (MIGDAS-2)
Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2)
Childhood Autism Rating Scale – Second Edition (CARS-2)
Social Responsiveness Scale – Second Edition (SRS-2)
Gilliam Autism Rating Scale – Third Edition (GARS-3)
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale – Third Edition (Vineland-3)

What’s The Process?

Assessment instruments used with young people often include:

Pre-assessment questionnaire: to be completed before session 1 to provide background information about the young person, their health, well-being, and reason for assessment.
Session 1: Intake session with your clinician to gain an in-depth understanding of any queries/concerns, as well as assessment goals and needs (1 hour).
Session 2: Clinical interview with parent/carer and young person (if appropriate) based on diagnostic criteria (2 hours).
Session 3: Direct play/interaction and observations with the young person (1 hour)
Standardised questionnaires and collateral: a variety of parent/carer, teacher, and self-report (if appropriate) questionnaires will be sent out to collect further information. Relevant documentation (e.g., previous assessments, medical records, and school reports) will be reviewed and other professionals (e.g., teacher, paediatrician, psychologist, occupational therapist etc.) will be consulted (2 hours).
Written report: Completion of a tailored, comprehensive report that includes all assessment results, any relevant diagnosis, and recommendations for support (6 hours).
Session 4: Feedback and discussion of assessment outcomes and path forward (1.5 hours). This typically occurs 4 weeks after the last assessment session.

Cost: The base fee for a child and adolescent autism assessment is determined by 13.5 hours of professional work at $285 per hour. Medicare rebates may be available if a referral under ‘Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Eligible Disabilities’ by a paediatrician or psychiatrist is provided.

Adults

Assessment instruments used with adults often include:

Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum – Second Edition (MIGDAS-2) or another diagnostic interview (e.g. Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
Social Responsiveness Scale – Second Edition (SRS-2)
Gilliam Autism Rating Scale – Second Edition (under 22yo; GARS-3)
Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0)

What’s The Process?

The typical assessment process for adults involves:

Pre-assessment questionnaire: To be completed before session 1 to provide background information about you, your health, well-being, and reason for assessment.
Session 1: Initial intake session to gain an in-depth understanding of any queries/concerns, as well as assessment goals and needs (1 hour).
Session 2: Clinical interview based on diagnostic criteria (2.5 hours).
Session 3 (if required): in-depth review of mental and/or physical health (1 hour).
Standardised questionnaires and collateral: a variety of self, parent, carer and/or relative questionnaires will be sent out to collect further information. Relevant documentation (e.g., previous assessments, medical records, and school reports) will be reviewed and other professionals (e.g., doctor, psychologist, occupational therapist etc.) will be consulted (2 hours).
Written report: Completion of a tailored, comprehensive report that includes all assessment results, any relevant diagnosis, and recommendations for support (6 hours).
Session 4: Feedback and discussion of assessment outcomes and path forward (1.5 hours). This typically occurs 4 weeks after the last assessment session.

Autistic traits in adulthood and childhood will be reviewed, therefore, you may be requested to bring a parent, partner, carer, or other adult who knew you during childhood to some of the assessment appointments (e.g., Session 2). This will be discussed with you during your first session with your clinician.

Cost: The base fee for an adult autism assessment is determined by 13 hours of professional work, at a fee of $285 per hour. Medicare rebates may be available for individuals under 25 years of age if a referral under ‘Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Eligible Disabilities’ by a paediatrician or psychiatrist is provided.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessments

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition and brain-style difference that affects an individual’s self-regulation, including their attention, activity levels, and impulses.

ADHD assessments at Your Mind Matters can vary depending on the individual, their needs and referral reason; however, the process typically involves the following:

Child and Adolescent

Assessment instruments used with young people often include:

Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Young People (Young DIVA-5)
Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Second Edition (BRIEF-2)
Conners – Fourth Edition (Conners-4)
Behavior Assessment for Children – Third Edition (BASC-3)

The typical assessment process for young people involves:

Pre-assessment questionnaire: To be completed before session 1 to provide background information about the young person, their health, well-being, and reason for assessment.
Session 1: Initial intake to gain an in-depth understanding of any queries/concerns, as well as assessment goals and needs (1 hour).
Session 2: Clinical interview with parent/carer and young person (if appropriate) based on diagnostic criteria (1.5 hours).
Session 3: Direct play/interaction and observations with the young person (1 hour).
Standardised questionnaires and collateral: A variety of parent/carer, teacher, and self-report (if appropriate) questionnaires will be sent out to collect further information. Relevant documentation (e.g., previous assessments, medical records, and school reports) will be reviewed and other professionals (e.g., paediatrician, teacher, psychologist, etc.) will be consulted (2 hours).
Written report: Completion of a tailored, comprehensive report that includes all assessment results, any relevant diagnosis, and recommendations for support (5 hours).
Session 4: Feedback and discussion of assessment outcomes and path forward (1 hour). This typically occurs 4 weeks after the last assessment session.

Cost: Our assessment fees are $285 per hour. Medicare rebates may be available if a referral under ‘Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Eligible Disabilities’ by a paediatrician or psychiatrist is provided.

Adults

Assessment instruments used with adults often include:

Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults – Third Edition (DIVA-5)
Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning – Adult (BRIEF-A)
Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales – Second Edition (CAARS-2)
Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)

The typical assessment process for adults involves:

Pre-assessment questionnaire: To be completed before session 1 to provide background information about you, your health, well-being, and reason for assessment.
Session 1: Initial intake to gain an in-depth understanding of any queries/concerns, as well as assessment goals and needs (1 hour).
Session 2: Clinical interview based on diagnostic criteria (2 hours).
Standardised questionnaires and collateral: A variety of self, parent, carer, and/or relative questionnaires will be sent out to collect further information. Relevant documentation (e.g., previous assessments, medical records, and school reports) will be reviewed and other professionals (e.g., doctor, psychologist, etc.) will be consulted (2 hours).
Written report: Completion of a tailored, comprehensive report that includes all assessment results, any relevant diagnosis, and recommendations for support (5 hours).
Session 4: Feedback and discussion of assessment outcomes and path forward (1 hour). This typically occurs 4 weeks after the last assessment session.

Cognitive or Intellectual Assessment

Cognitive assessments, which are commonly referred to as “IQ tests”, provide insight into an individual’s ability to think and reason. It involves the assessment of a variety of cognitive domains, including verbal comprehension, visual spatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.

Note: Your Mind Matters offers cognitive assessments to individuals aged 16 years and below. Cognitive assessments for individuals aged 17 years and above are not currently offered.

What is involved in a cognitive assessment?

Some of the following assessment tools will be used:

Wechsler Preschool and Primary School Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV)
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
Behavior Assessment for Children – Third Edition (BASC-3)

The typical assessment process involves:

Pre-assessment questionnaire: To be completed before session 1 to provide background information about the young person, their health, well-being, and reason for assessment.
Session 1: Initial intake to gain an in-depth understanding of any queries/concerns, as well as assessment goals and needs (1 hour).
Session 2: Administration of formal cognitive testing (2 hours).
Standardised questionnaires and collateral: A social-emotional-behavioural questionnaire will be included, as such factors can have an impact on cognitive performance.
Written report: A comprehensive report that includes all assessment results, any relevant diagnosis, and recommendations for support (3 hours).
Session 3: Feedback and discussion of assessment outcomes and path forward (1 hour). This typically occurs 4 weeks after the last assessment session.

How much does a cognitive assessment cost?

Our assessment fees are $285 per hour. Medicare rebates may be available if a referral under ‘Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Eligible Disabilities’ by a paediatrician or psychiatrist is provided.

Learning or Educational Assessment

Learning assessments at Your Mind Matters can vary depending on the individual, their needs and referral reason; however, the process typically involves the following:

Some of the following assessment tools will be used:

Wechsler Preschool and Primary School Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV)
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing – Second Edition (CTOPP-2)
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition (WIAT-III)
Woodcock Reading Mastery Test – Third Edition (WRMT-III)
Behavior Assessment for Children – Third Edition (BASC-3)

The typical assessment process involves:

Pre-assessment questionnaire: To be completed before session 1 to provide background information about the young person, their health, well-being, and reason for assessment.
Session 1: Initial intake to gain an in-depth understanding of any queries/concerns, as well as assessment goals and needs (1 hour).
Session 2: Administration of formal cognitive testing (2 hours).
Session 3: Administration of formal academic testing (2.5 hours).
Standardised questionnaires and collateral: A social-emotional-behavioural questionnaire will be included, as such factors can have an impact on academic performance.
Written report: A comprehensive report that includes all assessment results, any relevant diagnosis, and recommendations for support (5 hours)
Session 4: Feedback and discussion of assessment outcomes and path forward (1 hour). This typically occurs 4 weeks after the last assessment session.

How much does a learning assessment cost?

School Readiness Assessment

Knowing if your child is ready to begin school can be a challenging decision. While a child needs to be intellectually and academically ready, they also need to be socially and emotionally ready.

What is involved in a school readiness assessment?

School readiness assessments at Your Mind Matters can vary depending on the individual, their needs and referral reason; however, the process typically involves the following:

Some of the following assessment tools will be used:

Wechsler Preschool and Primary School Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV)
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition (WIAT-III)
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale – Third Edition (Vineland-3)
Behavior Assessment for Children – Third Edition (BASC-3)

The typical assessment process involves:

Pre-assessment questionnaire: to be completed before session 1 to provide background information about you, your health, well-being, and reason for assessment.
Session 1: Initial intake to gain an in-depth understanding of any queries/concerns, as well as assessment goals and needs (1 hour).
Session 2: play-based assessment and observations (1 hour).
Session 3: administration of formal cognitive testing (2 hours).
Session 4: administration of formal academic testing (1.5 hours).
Standardised questionnaires and collateral: a variety of self, parent, carer and/or teacher questionnaires will be sent out to collect further information about the young person.
Written report: A comprehensive report that includes all assessment results, any relevant diagnosis, and recommendations for support (6 hours)
Session 5: Feedback and discussion of assessment outcomes and path forward (1 hour). This typically occurs 4 weeks after the last assessment session.

How much does a school readiness assessment cost?

About our assessment fees

Our fees are calculated based on the time it takes to complete the assessment and the clinician’s qualifications (provisional psychologists charge a lower rate per hour). At times, there may be instances where an additional session is needed to complete an assessment (e.g., a complex mental health history that requires more thorough diagnostic exploration). If your assessment is complex and we estimate more time is needed, the fee will be higher. In such situations, clients will be informed about the need for an additional session as early as possible in the assessment process.