COGNITIVE & NEURODIVERSITY ASSESSMENTS
Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health is able to provide testing for children and adults who require cognitive assessments and educational assessments, as well as assessment of neurodiversity, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Cognitive / IQ Assessments
Cognitive assessments (also sometimes know as IQ tests) can be used to determine a person's cognitive strengths and weaknesses, thus determining their learning capabilities. These assessments help to determine strengths and weaknesses in cognitive functioning and can also identify giftedness.
Cognitive Assessments
Cognitive assessments involve completing a series of tasks and answering a range of questions. From this information, alongside clinician interviews and observations, Full Scale IQ (representing general intellectual ability) is generated, with specific insights into reasoning, comprehension, processing speed and working memory.
A Cognitive Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years) and Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) or adult client - either in-person or online
- One 2-hour in-person appointment* for the administration of
- the WISC-V or the WAIS-IV
- Feedback Session with parent(s) or adult client - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Intellectual Ability Assessments
An Intellectual Ability Assessment may be required for clients who are wishing to determine eligibility or qualification for special services (for instance, the National Disability Insurance Scheme - NDIS), plan rehabilitation or intervention programs, and track and report progress. In addition to a Cognitive Assessment (see above), your clinician will administer the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3), which is a standardised assessment tool to measure adaptive behaviour and support the diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and developmental delays.
An Intellectual Ability Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years) and Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) or adult client - either in-person or online
- Two 2-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of
- the WISC-V or the WAIS-IV
- the Vineland-3
- Feedback Session with parent(s) or adult client - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Educational Assessments
The WIAT-III is used to assess the academic skills and problem-solving abilities of children and adults aged 4 years to 50 years, in conjunction with a cognitive assessment measure like the WISC or the WAIS (see above). This combination can be used to assess a person’s functioning on skills needed in common school subjects of reading, oral language, written language and mathematics. The assessment helps measure cognitive abilities relevant to Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs), particularly dyslexia and dyscalculia.
An Educational Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years) and Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) or adult client - either in-person or online
- Two 2-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of
- the WISC-V or the WAIS-IV, and
- the WIAT-III
- Feedback Session with parent(s) or adult client - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Neurodiversity Assessments
Neurodivergence includes, but is not limited to, differences in a person’s interpersonal & social style, communication, time management, organisation, memory, concentration, time, direction, perception, sequencing, and listening skills.
Autism (ASD) Assessments
An ASD Assessment can help deepen understanding and can offer a guide to future areas of support. Assessments can be helpful to assist learning how to best approach life, including decisions around education, interventions and NDIS applications. Assessments can also be a helpful lens through which adults, clients who have finished their schooling, can view their experiences.
An ASD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) or adult client - either in-person or online
- Three 2-hour in-person client appointments* for the administration of:
- the WISC-V (for children aged 6 to 16 years)
- the MIGDAS-2 (parent session)
- the MIGDAS-2 (child session)
- Feedback Session with parent(s) - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
An ASD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) or adult client - either in-person or online
- One 2-hour in-person client appointment* for the administration of:
- the MIGDAS-2
- Feedback Session - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessments
An important note about ADHD Assessments:
In Australia, psychologists are not able to prescribe medication for any condition or diagnosis. Therefore, if your main goal in getting an ADHD assessment is to trial ADHD medication, we suggest speaking to your GP about a referral to a qualified paediatrician or psychiatrist who can complete their own assessments. Paediatricians and psychiatrists must complete their own assessments; they won’t prescribe based on an assessment done by someone else.
Despite this, some people find the process of undergoing an assessment by a psychologist helpful, for a variety of reasons. Firstly, many clients have no interest in pursuing medication. There are a number of helpful strategies that mental health clinicians can assist with either in conjunction with medication or without medication at all. Secondly, psychiatrists who assess ADHD often have waitlists of up to 12 months. Exploring an ADHD diagnosis prior to seeing a psychiatrist can be helpful in navigating the neurotypical world. Thirdly, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis can help provide an explanatory model for helping a client understand their history and past experiences, as well as navigating future challenges.
An ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) - either in-person or online
- Two 2-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of:
- the WISC-V (for children aged 6 to 16 years)
- the Young DIVA Structured Interview (parent & child)
- Feedback Session with parent(s) - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
An ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session with adult client - either in-person or online
- One 2-hour in-person appointment* for the administration of:
- the DIVA Structured Interview
- Feedback Session - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Combined Assessments
Combined Assessments allow your clinician to use multiple assessment tools to inform their diagnostic reports, with the aim of providing a more comprehensive outcome for clients. Research tells us that there can often be overlap between ADHD, Autism and Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs). It can be beneficial to undertake a number of assessments to better understand these neurodiverse brains and their unique strengths and challenges.
ASD & ADHD Assessments
A Combined ASD & ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) - either in-person or online
- Three 2-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of:
- the WISC-V
- the Young DIVA Structured Interview (parent & child)
- the MIGDAS-2 (parent session) & the MIGDAS-2 (child session)
- Feedback Session with parent(s) - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
A Combined ASD & ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session with adult client - either in-person or online
- One 3-hour in-person appointment* for the administration of:
- the DIVA Structured Interview
- the MIGDAS-2
- Feedback Session - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Educational and ASD OR ADHD Assessments
A Combined Educational Assessment & Autism Assessment OR ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) - either in-person or online
- Four 2-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of:
- the WISC-V
- the WIAT-III
- the Young DIVA Structured Interview (parent & child) OR
- the MIGDAS-2 (parent session) & the MIGDAS-2 (child session)
- Feedback Session with parent(s) - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
A Combined Educational Assessment & Autism Assessment OR ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session - either in-person or online
- Two 3-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of:
- the WAIS-IV
- the WIAT-III
- the MIGDAS-2 OR
- the DIVA Structured Interview
- Feedback Session - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Educational, ASD AND ADHD Assessments
A Combined Educational Assessment & Autism Assessment AND ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Children (6 years to 16 years):
- Initial intake session with parent(s) - either in-person or online
- Four 2-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of:
- the WISC-V
- the WIAT-III
- the Young DIVA Structured Interview (parent & child)
- the MIGDAS-2 (parent session) & the MIGDAS-2 (child session)
- Feedback Session with parent(s) - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
A Combined Educational Assessment & Autism Assessment AND ADHD Assessment at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health will involve the following for Adults (17+ years):
- Initial intake session - either in-person or online
- Two 3-hour in-person appointments* for the administration of:
- the WAIS-IV
- the WIAT-III
- the DIVA Structured Interview
- the MIGDAS-2
- Feedback Session - either face-to-face or online
*Note: an additional session may be required for administration
Frequently Asked Questions about Assessments
Do I need a referral?
No, a referral is not needed to undertake Cognitive, Educational or Neurodiversity Assessments
Are assessment costs covered by Medicare rebates, Private Health Insurance or NDIS funding?
Unfortunately, Mental Health Care Plans that allow for Medicare rebates cannot be used for assessment appointments. Please discuss with your Private Health Funds if they will fund or partially fund the assessment appointments. NDIS Participant’s funding packages also vary so it is best to discuss with your support coordinator whether psychological assessment is part of your package.
What are your fees?
Fees vary based on the tests required and the complexity of these tests. Please CLICK HERE for a list of fees.
Do you offer any payment plans?
We are happy to offer instalment plans for fees & we offer PayPal's Pay-in-4. Please contact us for further details.
I don't know what kind of assessment I/my child needs - can someone help me?
Please give us a call on 0466 307 739 or email admin@mapleleafpsychology.com.au and one of our team will be able to assist you.
What will be in the report?
Our comprehensive reports bring together all of the information obtained by your clinician, including assessment results, observations and background history, as well as recommendations specific to your individual needs, strengths and challenges.
Why does the assessment cost more than individual therapy per hour?
Psychological assessment and diagnosis are a different set of skills compared to individual therapy and neuropsychological assessments require the use of specialised (and often expensive!) test material that requires ongoing subscription services. Furthermore, your clinician undergoes specialised training and supervision in order to provide clients with the best evidence-based and up-to-date practices.
What happens after the assessment?
Whether you receive the diagnosis you were expecting or not, the time immediately after undergoing an assessment can feel quite overwhelming. Should you want to, our clinicians at Maple Leaf Psychology & Allied Health would be happy to continue to see you in a therapeutic capacity.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have!