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Autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment. ASD impacts individual’s communication and social abilities and presents with repetitive style behaviours. It is a lifelong condition impacting typical development over the lifespan. Every person with Autism is different to every other, this is why Autism is described as a ‘spectrum’.
What to do if you’re concerned your child might have Autism?
The best thing you can do is visit your GP or paediatrician to discuss your concerns. Each child develops at their own pace and may need some support in reaching some developmental milestones. Emerald Psychology Practice requires a paediatrician referral to undertake ASD assessment.
What to expect during an Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment?
At Emerald Psychology Practice:
When: Pre-session
When: Pre-session
Psychologist Administration time: 30min
When: 1st Session
Time needed with Psychologist: 2hrs
Psychologist Administration time: 1hr
When: 1st Session
Psychologist Administration time: 1hr
When: 2nd Session
Time needed with Psychologist: 1.5-2hrs
Psychologist Administration Time: 30min
Psychologist Administration Time: 7hrs
Peer Consultation Time: 1hr
When: 3rd Session
Time needed with Psychologist: 1hr
3 sessions
5 hours with Psychologist
11 hours of Psychologist Administration Time
FEE $1800 – $2100
It is also recommended to engage with a speech pathologist to support the assessment of communication in exploring ASD. Emerald Psychology Practice can support this process.
Funding options to support an assessment for diagnosis of ASD?
Funding for ASD diagnosis can be limited. Medicare may provide a rebate for up to 4 appointments (including other health professionals) associated to the cost of ASD assessment if you child is aged under 13 years old.
Funding options to support an individual with ASD?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS is a new way for children and their families from 0-65 to access supports. It’s the biggest social reform since Medicare and incorporates all the different funding streams into one system. The scheme puts the goals of your child/family at the centre of supports and provides you with a choice over who delivers the services you want and what these could look like in order to achieve the outcomes you want.
Where to get more information on ASD?
https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/
What is a cognitive assessment?
An educational (or cognitive) assessment uncovers strengths and challenges in a child’s intellectual profile, learning performance, behavioural challenges and social emotional functioning.
Our assessment process is tailored towards the individual needs of each unique child we meet by including the following steps;
An initial interview with parent to gather some history about your child and their development (approximately 1 hour).
An adaptive behaviour report – teacher or parent interview form using the Vineland 3 (if required).
Administration of the cognitive assessment (approximately 90 minutes).
A detailed assessment report of findings with tailored behavioural and educational
recommendations for your child (approximately 6-7 hours).
A parent feedback session to discuss your child’s assessment and answer any questions
you may have (approximately 1 hour).
The Cognitive Assessments offered at Emerald Psychology Practice are WPPSI-IV and the WISC-V
The benefits of a Cognitive Assessment?
Families may seek an assessment of their child for a variety of reasons including;
LEARNING
To gain a better understanding of a child or adolescent’s general cognitive ability.
Help make an informed decision about a child’s learning needs. An assessment can inform
an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and assist with decisions about whether the child may benefit from specialised programs (e.g., learning support, allied health and disability services).
Inform a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan.
Clarification around reasons for lower-than-expected school performance.
Identification of suspected learning disorders including dyslexia (difficulties with reading and
spelling), dysgraphia (difficulties with writing), or dyscalculia (difficulties with mathematical
concepts).
Evaluation of intellectual ability and achievement levels for potential inclusion in gifted and
talented enrichment, extension or acceleration programmes.
Reviewing cognitive functioning and current academic performance for consideration for
funding within schools and NDIS.
BEHAVIOUR
Identification of suspected disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Examination of challenging behaviours such as attention and concentration problems or
hyperactivity and impulsivity issues.
Insight into how executive functioning difficulties impact behavioural and emotional control.
DEVELOPMENT
Investigation of delays in achieving early childhood milestones.
Identification of intellectual disability.
Analysis of cognitive development social emotional interactions communication skills and
self-care abilities related to school readiness.
FEE: $1800 – $2100
‘Dyslexia’ (very simply) refers to on-going difficulties with reading and ‘Dysgraphia’ refers to someone who has ongoing difficulties with spelling and writing. Dyslexia can cause some frustration for those who have it, especially with the misconceptions surrounding the disorder. It can be difficult to find the right help, and stressful when seeking an assessment. At Emerald Psychology Practice, we are delighted to now offer Dyslexia and Dysgraphia diagnostic assessments with highly qualified psychologists and a supportive approach. We offer this testing for children and adults (up to 50 years old).
We refer to the DSM-5 criteria for Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in order to diagnose Dyslexia and Dysgraphia. We use a variety of standardised assessments, including the WPPSI-IV, WISC-V and WIAT-III, in order to assess phonological awareness, fluency and reading comprehension.
The following is a list of some of the symptoms of learning difficulties and dyslexia.
Description of the assessment:
The assessment allows for the identification of any Specific Learning Disorder/ Dyslexia and the degree and nature of any learning needs in children and adolescents.
The test consists of a comprehensive cognitive ability (i.e., Wechsler Intelligence Scale; WPPSI-IV or WISC-V) and educational achievement assessment (i.e., includes selected subtests from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test; (WIAT-IV), together with other educational achievement tests).
The assessment involves the following:
Therefore, you need to allow 3 to 4 hours of face to face assessment time.
All the test results and recommendations are provided to you in a comprehensive written report.
The written report is normally available within two weeks of the assessment.
FEE: $1800 – $2100
Screening for some psychological conditions, such as mood disorders, and behavioural disorders, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder can be undertaken with a formal behaviour assessment. This involves a parent interview of approximately one hour. The assessment is then scored, the scores compared to diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5 and a formal report with assessment results and recommendations is prepared.
One type of formal behavioural assessment available utilises the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklists (ASEBA; CBCL). These parent- and teacher-rated assessments are for children aged from eighteen months to eighteen years.
Another type of formal behavioural assessment available with our team is the Conners-3 ADHD Scales, measuring the probability a child has ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. This assessment is for children from six to eighteen years of age.
A formal behaviour assessment is useful for school funding applications under the criteria of Severe Behaviour Disorder.
FEE $1200 – $1500
An adaptive skills assessment compares a child’s skills in the areas of communication, social interaction, motor skills and self-care skills to the level of skill expected for their age. The purpose of the assessment is to determine whether a child is showing age-appropriate development in skills needed for everyday life.
The adaptive skills assessment available at Emerald Psychology Practice utilises the Vineland Scales of Adaptive Behaviour- Second Edition (Vineland-II), Teacher Edition. This assessment is completed by the child’s teacher at child care, kindergarten or school. A questionnaire is completed and scored, and a formal report with assessment results and recommendations is prepared.
If a child has never been in a formal learning program outside the home, a Vineland Scales of Adaptive Behaviour, Second Edition (Vineland-III) Parent Report Form will be administered instead.
FEE: $1100 – $1400
Emerald Psychology provides Adult Autism assessments with a trained Clinical Psychologist. To access this service, you must have a GP or medical specialist referral specifically requesting this assessment. One of our psychologists will meet with you for one counselling session before your assessment to better understand your circumstances and ensure this is the right assessment path for you.
The assessment itself consists of approximately three appointments from start to end and some self-report questionnaires. In your last session, your psychologist will explain the outcome and provide you with a full diagnostic report. If there is a diagnosis, support levels are included. Regardless of the outcome, our psychologists will consider what may be helpful for you moving forward and recommendations.
If you are wanting to continue support post assessment, this is available.
Session number | Item number | Description | cost |
|
80010 | Initial consultation and counselling | $225 | 50-60min | |
The client must have an initial consultation with a psychologist before progressing with an Assessment, and they must provide a referral or MHTP from a GP. | ||||
1 | 80010 | Individual consultation | $225 | 50-60min |
2 | Assessment: Private fee | Developmental History Consultation | $225 | 50-60min |
Assessment: Private fee | Questionnaires and psychometric measures as required for individual | $50* | ||
Assessment: Private fee | Diagnostic Assessment Report | $500 | ||
3 | 80010 | Feedback and post diagnostic counselling, client provided with report | $225 | 50-60min |
Total estimated cost is between $1225-$1500, and with a MHTP from your GP you would receive approximately $263.2 back in rebates (this does not include your initial session).
*the psychologist will consider which measures (questionnaires) are appropriate for each unique client and will discuss with the client if measures exceeding this cost are required.
FEE: $1225 – $1500
Emerald Psychology provides Adult ADHD assessments with highly trained psychologists. To access this service, you must have a GP or medical specialist referral specifically requesting this assessment. One of our psychologists will meet with you for one counselling session before your assessment to better understand your circumstances and ensure this is the right assessment path for you.
The assessment itself consists of approximately four appointments from start to end, and some self-report questionnaires. In your last session your psychologist will explain the outcome and provide you with a full diagnostic report. Regardless of the outcome, our psychologists will consider what may be helpful for you moving forward and recommendations.
If you are wanting to continue support post assessment, this is available.
Session number | Item number | Description | cost |
|
80010 | Initial consultation and counselling | $225 | 50-60min | |
The client must have an initial consultation with a psychologist before progressing with an Assessment, and they must provide a referral or MHTP from a GP. | ||||
1 | 80010 | Individual consultation (1) | $225 | 50-60min |
2 | 80010 | Individual consultation (2) | $225 | 50-60min |
3 | Assessment: Private fee | Developmental History Consultation | $225 | 50-60min |
Assessment: Private fee | Questionnaires and psychometric measures as required for individual | $50* | ||
Assessment: Private fee | Diagnostic Assessment Report | $500 | ||
4 | 80010 | Feedback and post diagnostic counselling, client provided with report | $225 | 50-60min |
Total estimated cost is between $1450-$1800, and with a MHTP from your GP you would receive approximately $395 back in rebates. (This does not include your initial session)
*the psychologist will consider which measures (questionnaires) are appropriate for each unique client, and will discuss with the client if measures exceeding this cost are required.
FEE $1450 – $1800
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