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.

Results of a cognitive assessment may provide an idea of the child’s ability to learn. It is not a test of language, reading, writing or mathematics. A cognitive assessment can be used for purposes of identifying an intellectual disability, giftedness, specific learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia), placement in specialised programs and supports in schools and clinical intervention.

Currently, we offer our Child Cognitive Assessments to those aged between 7-18 yrs. 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 commences. This allows us to gather background information about your child.

2. Initial Consultation 

The initial consultation is a fact-finding, information gathering session where you will meet the Assessing Clinician for the first time. This consultation ensures you are receiving the most suitable assessment for your child, and to discuss background information and 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 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

A Child ADHD assessment requires 2 testing sessions, completed via video call. You may be sent physical response booklets in the mail for Telehealth testing sessions.

7. Report

Your Clinician will prepare a comprehensive Assessment Report after the testing sessions are complete. The report may include a diagnosis if diagnostic criteria are met, and includes a summary of the results and recommendations for next steps.

8. Feedback Session

Your Clinician will meet with you to discuss the 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 are completed via video call.

The estimated price of a Child ADHD Assessment is $2,265.

At this stage, Medicare does not provide a rebate for Cognitive Psychological Assessments.

Generally, payment is made for each assessment component upon completion of that service. However, we offer payment plans for those who may require a little longer to pay. If you require a payment plan, please discuss this with the Assessment Coordinator. Please note, however, that reports are unable to be released until all payments are finalised.

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.