Psychological assessment
Understanding the whole person, not just the scores
Assessment is more than completing tests. The process involves understanding the person, identifying the questions that need to be answered, selecting appropriate methods, gathering relevant information, interpreting findings in context and discussing what the results mean.
Assessment pathways
What can be assessed
ADHD assessment
For children, adolescents and adults where attention, activity, impulsivity, organisation or executive functioning are affecting everyday life, learning or work.
Autism assessment
For children, adolescents and adults exploring autistic experience, including social communication, sensory experience, routines, interests and support needs.
Learning, academic & specific learning difficulties assessment
Where reading, writing, spelling, mathematics or academic progress is a concern, and where documentation of learning needs may support adjustments.
Cognitive assessment
Understanding cognitive strengths and difficulties — such as reasoning, memory-related everyday difficulties, processing and problem solving — in context.
Behavioural, emotional & social assessment
Where behaviour, emotional regulation, anxiety, mood or social functioning at home, school or work needs to be better understood.
Focused psychological assessment
A narrower assessment addressing a specific referral question, where a full comprehensive assessment is not required.
Combined / comprehensive assessment
Where more than one question needs to be considered together — for example neurodevelopmental, cognitive and learning questions in the same assessment.
Assessment is undertaken within the psychologist’s current scope of practice, training and experience, with the appropriate pathway determined by the questions the assessment needs to answer.
Looking specifically for ADHD? See the dedicated ADHD Assessment page.
Who can be assessed
Children, adolescents and adults
Children & adolescents
Psychological assessment for children and adolescents at Heartland Health is conducted in person. Appointments are held at the Tweed Heads South clinic.
Adults
For adults, some parts of an assessment may be completed by secure telehealth where appropriate. Components requiring controlled or standardised administration, including relevant cognitive and academic assessment tasks, are completed in person.
What determines whether an assessment is suitable?
We work out together what kind of assessment will actually be useful. This may depend on:
- the questions the assessment needs to answer
- the person’s age and developmental stage
- current concerns and everyday functioning
- relevant developmental, educational, medical or psychosocial history
- previous assessments or reports where relevant
- information available from parents, carers, teachers or other relevant people
- whether the request fits the psychologist’s current scope or another professional or service would be more useful
The process
What does an assessment involve?
1. Initial interview & history
The first step is understanding the person and the questions the assessment needs to answer. This may explore current concerns, goals, developmental history, education, psychosocial and mental health history, previous assessments, current functioning, strengths and support needs.
For children and adolescents, parent or carer input is generally relevant, and the young person’s involvement is tailored to their age, development and circumstances. For adults, this is usually a direct clinical interview, with relevant background information where appropriate.
2. Assessment preparation & coordination
This stage clarifies the referral question and what information and assessment methods will be useful. It may involve reviewing previous reports or other background information and, where appropriate, coordinating information from parents, carers, schools or other relevant people.
The planned process and what each appointment will involve are explained before direct assessment begins. Not every assessment uses every method; the approach depends on the questions the assessment needs to answer.
3. Structured interview, observation & direct assessment
Depending on the assessment question, this may involve structured or semi-structured interviewing, observation, questionnaires or rating scales, and direct cognitive, academic or other psychological tasks where relevant. The exact combination is chosen for the person and the questions being explored.
4. Supporting children & young people
Children and adolescents are supported in a way that fits their age, development and circumstances. They are not expected to sit perfectly still or perform perfectly, and the process is explained in a way they can understand.
Where appropriate, assessment may draw on parent or carer information, school or educational information, direct work with the child or young person, observation of behaviour, communication, attention, learning or social functioning, and the young person’s own perspective.
Practical supports such as breaks, movement, communication preferences and sensory considerations can be discussed while keeping the assessment useful and interpretable.
5. Scoring & assessment review
Assessment results are scored and reviewed alongside the broader information gathered throughout the process.
Results are considered alongside the person’s history, circumstances, strengths, everyday functioning and the questions that brought them in. Scores are one part of the picture, not the whole picture.
6. Understanding the findings, report & recommendations
The psychologist brings the assessment information together to understand what the findings mean in the person’s circumstances and in relation to the referral question.
Where appropriate, this includes a written report, conclusions relevant to the referral question, practical recommendations, and suggestions for supports, strategies, further assessment or referral. An assessment cannot promise a diagnosis or a particular decision by a school, funder or other service.
7. Feedback session
The feedback session is a chance to talk through what the assessment found, what it means in everyday terms, and any diagnosis or conclusions where appropriate. Recommendations and possible next steps are discussed, with time for questions.
For children and adolescents, feedback arrangements are tailored to the young person’s age, development and family circumstances. The aim is for everyone involved to understand the findings, rather than simply receiving a report filled with scores and terminology.
Fees
Assessment fees and arrangements
Assessment fees are indicative ranges because the scope and professional time required vary between people. Before chargeable assessment work begins, the proposed assessment, expected fee range and payment arrangements are discussed and agreed with you. A 30% deposit is required to secure private assessment appointments and is credited towards the total fee. Any additional work or change in scope is discussed before extra fees are incurred.
Before assessment begins, you will receive a Psychological Assessment Information & Agreement confirming the agreed scope, fee or maximum, payment arrangements, report arrangements and assessment terms.
Assessment involves more than testing
Assessment fees reflect the professional work involved across the assessment process. Depending on the assessment, this may include interviews and history, preparation, questionnaires or information from others, direct assessment and observation, scoring and interpretation, clinical formulation, report writing, recommendations and feedback.
Assessment cancellation
Assessment appointments require at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule without a fee. With less than 48 hours’ notice, or for non-attendance, up to the fee for the booked assessment appointment may be charged. Individual arrangements are confirmed in the Psychological Assessment Information & Agreement.
See Fees & Funding and Practice Information for broader information.
How assessment is funded
Psychological assessment at Heartland Health is ordinarily privately funded. Published assessment fees are private fees. Some private health insurance policies may provide a rebate for psychology services; please check directly with your insurer if you intend to claim.
See Fees & Funding for broader billing information.
Good to know
Findings, information and reports
Can an assessment guarantee a diagnosis?
An assessment cannot guarantee a particular diagnosis or outcome. Findings are considered in context using the information available, and no single questionnaire, test score or observation determines a diagnosis. Sometimes further assessment or input from another professional may be recommended.
Information from other people
Depending on the assessment, information from parents, carers, partners, teachers, schools, treating professionals or other relevant people may help build a fuller picture. This is discussed with you and obtained with appropriate consent where required.
Information sharing with children and adolescents
Assessment information and feedback are handled thoughtfully, with the young person’s age, development, understanding, privacy and circumstances in mind. How information will be shared is discussed with the young person and family as part of the process.
Reports and timing
Timelines vary with the assessment type and complexity, the number of appointments, the information required and the work involved in preparing the report. The expected process is discussed before the assessment begins, but a fixed turnaround is not promised.
Preparing for an assessment
There is generally no need to study or practise. Bring or provide relevant previous reports where available, and complete any requested questionnaires before appointments.
Allow enough time for appointments and, for children and adolescents, provide relevant school or developmental information if requested. Please ask if anything about the process is unclear.
What happens after an assessment?
The feedback session is used to discuss the findings, recommendations and possible next steps. Further support, referral or review may be discussed where appropriate; Heartland Health may not provide every service recommended.
Assessments not provided
Heartland Health is not the right service for:
- forensic, court, Family Court, custody or parenting-capacity assessment
- expert witness, medico-legal or independent legal assessment and reports
- compensation assessment requiring an independent expert opinion
- crisis or emergency assessment
- specialist addiction or detox assessment
- NDIS functional capacity or specialist NDIS assessment
If another kind of assessment would be more appropriate, this can be discussed before anything begins.
Getting started
Start with the question you’re trying to answer
Tell us a little about the questions you’re hoping an assessment might answer. The appropriate pathway, what it involves and the estimated fee are discussed and confirmed before anything begins.
Booking an assessment starts with an initial interview to understand your needs and determine the most appropriate assessment pathway. For child assessments, this first appointment is often with parents or caregivers only.
Heartland Health is not an emergency or crisis service. If you need urgent support, call 000 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See urgent & crisis support.