Child Cognitive Assessments

If your child has been given a referral for a Cognitive Assessment, this might be the appropriate assessment for you. Alternatively, this is the assessment to choose where you’ve noticed the following behaviours:

• Memory Issues
• Slow at Activities
• Reading and Comprehension Difficulties
• Poor School Performance
• Disorganisation
• Behavioural Problems at School
• Difficulty Following Instructions
• Concerns with Intellectual Function
• Lack of Independence

This assessment can also be administered for Gifted and Talented Identification, where you may have noticed the following behaviours:

• Advanced Language Skills
• Intense Curiosity
• Rapid Learning Ability
• Exceptional Memory
• High Attention Span
• Emotional Intelligence
• Preference for Adult Conversation
• Unusual Sense of Humour
• Advanced or Early Development
• Perfectionism
• Questioning Norms

Please note: These behaviours are only indicators that this assessment may be helpful. These behaviours are normal and can be observed to different extents in children of all ages.

Cognitive assessments aim to provide information pertaining to your child’s ability to learn. A cognitive assessment may be used to identify an intellectual disability, giftedness, specific learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia), obtain placement in specialised programs, school support and inform clinical intervention. 

Currently, we see children aged 7 and over for cognitive assessments. We are able to see NDIS and insurance clients. 

1. Assessment Agreement/Pre-Service Questionnaire

Parents/caregivers are required to complete a pre-service questionnaire before the assessment can commence. This collects background information about your child. 

2. Initial Consultation 

The initial consultation is a fact-finding, information gathering session where you will meet the clinician for the first time. It is to ensure you are receiving the most suitable assessment for your child nd to discuss background information and your current concerns. Please note, children below the age of 12 do not need to attend the initial consultation. 

3. Questionnaires

We ask for parents/caregivers, teachers/childcare providers and the child (age dependent) to complete a range of questionnaires prior to the testing sessions. These are completed online and take approximately 20 minutes each to complete. 

4. Psychometric Testing Sessions

Typically, a cognitive assessment requires 2 testing sessions, which can be completed online through Telehealth. You may be sent physical response booklets in the mail for Telehealth sessions. 

5. Report

After the testing sessions are complete, your clinician will prepare a comprehensive assessment report. The report would include a diagnosis if diagnostic criteria are met and, a summary of the results and recommendations for next steps. 

7. Feedback Session

Your clinician will meet with you to discuss all results and recommendations. You will be provided with an electronic copy of the full assessment report following this session. Please advise if you require a hard copy.

We use a combination of online questionnaires, clinical interviews and psychometric testing sessions in our cognitive assessments. 

Our cognitive assessments can be completed online via Telehealth. 

The estimated cost of a child cognitive assessment is $2,370. 

At present, there are no Medicare rebates for cognitive assessments. 

We do not process private health funds claims here at Northside Psychology. However, if you have private health, you can check with your fund if they cover psychological assessments.