Amelia Read Psychology specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, and holistic support of Neurodiversity including diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - while assessment and diagnosis is one of the services offered at our clinic, it is not essential for you to undergo assessment and/or receive a formal diagnosis in order to make an appointment with one of our psychologists.

For those who are undertaking assessment at Amelia Read Psychology - the below frequently asked questions aim to provide a practical overview of what to expect during this process at our clinic.

Neurodiversity as a term refers to the differences in which brains develop and function; differences to” typically” developed brains also known as neurotypicals, and differences within an individual’s brain development reflecting their strengths and weaknesses. As such, when investigating neurodiversity it is integral to explore the cognitive and learning development of an individual in order to delineate the neurodiversity.

It is common for many neurodiverse individuals to be in a chronic state of confusion; unsure why simple things seem hard, and hard things may seem simple. The results of an assessment will provide clarity to this confusion by clearly showing areas of strength and weakness which can help to maximise learning engagement, enhance areas of strength, and compensate or develop areas of weakness. Assessment results also highlight areas for targeted treatment helping individuals develop a plan for what supports to prioritise and when.

Clients often report that the assessment process helps to understand themselves better, assists with advocating for themselves or their child at school, at work, and in their personal lives. A cognitive assessment ultimately provides accurate information surrounding an individual's neurodiverse struggles which helps to actively contradict the unhelpful beliefs that may have been established since childhood such as "I'm not smart” or “I’m just lazy”.

What are the benefits of being assessed?

What tools are used throughout the process?

No two brains are the same and, as such, the assessment process may vary as a function of individual circumstances. However, the ultimate goal of the assessment process for every client is to provide a deeper understanding and clarity surrounding their neurodiverse experiences. Every client who has completed an assessment at our clinic will walk away with useful information to help inform support options.

While each assessment is tailored to suit the individual’s needs, the process of the assessment usually remains consistent. The first appointment, known as the initial appointment or intake, is a one hour appointment, which can be conducted online or face-to-face in our clinic. This session is used for information gathering on current circumstances, background history, family history and medical history. The initial session also provides an opportunity to get familiar with the clinician, and ask any relevant questions you may have. Following the initial appointment the psychologist may send you some psychological assessment surveys to complete about yourself or your child which aim to gather additional information on any specific concerns/challenges you’ve raised during the session. The psychologist may also provide you with helpful resources or other recommendations/suggestions to help kickstart your understanding of neurodiversity.

The next session(s) will be used to complete relevant psychometric cognitive and/or learning assessments based upon your individual needs.

This process can take up to 2 x 2-hour sessions in duration and you’ll be advised along the way of what is required and what to expect. These sessions are conducted face-to-face in our clinic with one of our psychologists. After completing these assessment sessions you’ll be provided a brief overview of the results and be given any useful interim information or recommendations while the report is being finalised.

The psychologist will then carefully examine all the information obtained throughout the initial appointment, survey results, observations, and psychometric assessment results and finalise a comprehension report that outlines all the relevant information and data.

The final session known as the feedback session, is a one hour appointment either online or in-clinic at which time your treating psychologist will explain the findings and results of your assessment, talk you through your report, and prepare you for the next steps on your journey.

If you would like to find out more about assessment for ASD/ADHD at our clinic or inquire about a practitioner's availability - then click the button below to fill out our Assessment contact form.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Before the assessment, it's beneficial to have a conversation with your child about the purpose of the appointment. Let your child know that they'll be meeting someone who will help them understand their brain including strengths and weaknesses and engage them in various activities using an iPad and pencil/paper type activities. Try to refrain from labelling the appointment as a “test” or “assessment”, as this might contribute to potential test anxiety. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of the activities they'll be participating in. It may also be useful to show your child a picture of the psychologist they’re seeing which you can find on the meet the team page on our website.

🌻 What do I say to my child about the appointment?

🌻 Can I stay with my child during the assessment?

For the initial consultation, we request that children are not present. This allows the parent and psychologist to talk freely about any difficulties experienced or observed without the child overhearing.

For the remaining assessment sessions it will mostly be the psychologist and your child working together for the majority of the session, however you are to accompany them to the clinic and make the initial introductions. Parent(s) will be encouraged to leave the clinic room if appropriate and when the child feels comfortable.

The feedback session will mostly likely be parents and the psychologist discussing the results alone, unless specified by your psychologist that your child is present. If your child is not present for the feedback, the psychologist will guide you through what to say to your child about the assessment results.

*We kindly ask that only one primary caregiver accompany their child to assessment appointments.

Depending on the nature of your assessment, the initial consultation and feedback session can be completed online via Telehealth. The assessment sessions however can only be conducted accurately if the session is face-to-face with one of our psychologists.

🌻 Do all assessment appointments need to be done in person?

An assessment feedback session is one of the most helpful parts of the assessment process. The feedback appointment allows the psychologist to discuss and explain the assessment results comprehensively, ensuring that individuals and their families understand the diagnosis and its implications. Secondly, it provides an opportunity for collaborative goal-setting and planning tailored to the individual's unique needs, fostering a supportive and informed approach to managing neurodiversity.

🌻 Why are feedback sessions necessary?

If you wish to claim a rebate from Medicare, you will need a referral from a medical specialist or GP. We recommend asking your GP for a Better Access to Mental Health Care plan for 6 sessions.

If you wish to use NDIS funding or Private Health insurance, a referral is not necessary.

Medicare rebates can be claimed through the Medicare or MyGov app or website with a payment receipt.

🌻 Do I need a referral?