Assessments
An assessment provides a thorough evaluation of characteristics and behaviours to determine whether or not you meet diagnostic criteria.
A diagnosis may be very affirming to identity and self-esteem. It can assist in understanding how your brain works, reinforcing strengths and abilities.
This may assist in developing strategies and suggesting accommodations to help you reach your potential.
What to expect?
Our diagnosticians are neuro-affirming clinicians.They are experienced in assessing 'internalised' or 'masked' Autism profiles in people who don't fit the mainstream stereotypes.
They can provide differential diagnosis between neurodivergence, other neurodevelopmental differences, complex trauma, and mental health conditions.
ADHD Assessments
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that can affect a person's behaviour and functioning.
Signs may include:
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Inattention: Difficulty paying attention, staying on task, or being organised
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Hyperactivity: High levels of activity or restlessness, even at inappropriate times
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Impulsivity: Acting quickly before thinking, interrupting others, or having trouble waiting
ADHD can effect a person's daily life, including social relationships and school or work performance.
ADHD assessments include:
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Diagnostic interview (2 hours)
Depending on your preference, this assessment can be broken into 1 x two-hour appointments or 2 x one-hour appointments. -
Written report
We will ask you about ADHD traits in adulthood and childhood and ask you to complete online questionnaires about possible ADHD traits. It can be helpful to ask a parent, carer, or another adult who knew you during childhood to accompany you (or have them complete a questionnaire about your history) to some of the assessment appointments to assist us in obtaining information about your ADHD traits across your life.
Price: Adult $1,500 | Child $1,800
Autism Assessments
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects how people communicate, interact with others, and experience the world around them. Characteristics typically appear in early childhood and are present, in some form, throughout life. Every autistic person is different, with their own unique strengths and challenges.
Autistic people might:
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Communicate and interact with others in different ways
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Move their bodies in ways that are repetitive or different
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Have very strong interests in certain topics
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React to sounds, sights, smells, touch, or tastes in ways that seem unusual
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Like routines and find changes hard to cope with
Autism assessments usually include:
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A diagnostic interview (about 2 to 3 hours)
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A play session or observation (for children)
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An online questionnaire
You can choose how the assessment is scheduled. It can be done as:
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One 2-hour appointment plus a 1-hour appointment, or
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Three separate 1-hour appointments.
Price: Adult $1,500 | Child $1,800
Dual Diagnostic (Autism) Assessments
A dual diagnostic assessment refers to an evaluation process where two different (appropriately diagnostically trained) healthcare professionals, typically a psychologist and a speech pathologist, assess an individual together to investigate a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, providing a more comprehensive picture. We have a professional relationship with the speech pathologists at All Adelaide Speech Pathology and it is typically (with some rare exceptions) one of their experienced speech pathologists who would form the second part of the diagnostic team.
A dual diagnosis can be required in South Australia to formally diagnose Autism, where consensus from two accredited clinicians is often needed to access tailored supports in the Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECD; that is, the public school system).
Our clinicians prefer to conduct a dual diagnostic assessment when a child and/or young person has not regularly been involved with other allied health presentations, if they have had an Autism diagnostic assessment previously (and were not given a diagnosis) and or/ there is likely some complicating factors in their presentation, such as an intellectual disability diagnosis or an experience of complex trauma.
For adults, in most cases, a single diagnostic assessment is sufficient and we would not typically recommend a dual assessment unless one or more of the aforementioned complicating factors were present.
If you are undecided whether to seek a single or dual Autism assessment, feel free to contact us to discuss your options.
Price: $2,400
Fees
Assessment fees are payable in two halves, with 50% being payable 7 days prior to the first session and the final 50% being due upon completion of the report, and prior to its release.
Please note, payments via credit card will incur a 1.9% surcharge fee. Payments via direct deposit prior to due date will not incur a surcharge.
NDIS Autism Review Assessment
If you have received an autism diagnosis as a child (that is, usually termed “Asperger’s disorder”), then you may find it difficult to access supports and services, such as NDIS, without an updated assessment.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the handbook used by health care professionals as the guide to the diagnosis of mental, cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders. The transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (in 2013) sparked considerable concern about the potential implications of these changes. In this revision, Asperger’s Disorder became redundant and all individuals with this diagnosis were ‘reclassified’ as having Autism (level 1; with support; level 2: with substantial support; and level 3: with very substantial support).
This has lead to confusion for individuals and organisations and sadly, an inability for individuals diagnosed with Aspergers Disorder to receive the support they need.
Diana can review your previous diagnostic assessment, combined with an updated review of adaptive functioning as well as a short clinical interview, and collate the information in a short report.
Price on application. Please contact us for a quote.
Family Assessment
A family assessment is a professional assessment undertaken to assist a court and/or the parties decide on parenting arrangements for children . This can be asked for by the Youth Court (when a child or young person is at risk) or Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (when with separated parents/caregivers there is not an agreement about the care arrangements between the parents).
For further information visit the Family Court of Australia website.
How is a family assessment conducted?
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A family consultant or Court Child Expert conducts the assessment
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The assessment includes interviews with parents, children, and other relevant adults
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The assessment also includes a review of relevant documents
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The assessment considers the children's needs, views, and wishes
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The assessment considers the family's relationships and risk factors
What is the purpose of a family assessment?
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The assessment provides information about the children's views and needs
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The assessment provides information about the adults' attitudes and capacities
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The assessment provides recommendations to support final hearings
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The assessment helps the court and parties make decisions in the children's best interests
Price on application. Please contact us for a quote.
Parenting Capacity Assessment
The Department for Child Protection (DCP) in South Australia may request a parenting capacity assessment if they suspect a child is at risk of harm. The assessment is a core child protection task.
What does the assessment involve?
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A review of documents held by the DCP
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Interviews with the parent, child, and other relevant people
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Observations of the parent and family
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Psychometric testing, such as risk assessments, parenting inventories, and cognitive evaluations
What is the purpose of the assessment?
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To understand the risk to the child
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To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the parent's parenting
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To recommend actions to keep the child safe and meet their needs
Price on application. Please contact us for a quote.
Please note that any requests related to legal assessments, court reports, or documentation intended for legal purposes must be made directly through your attorney or legal representative. As a clinical psychologist, my role is focused on clinical evaluation and therapeutic services. For any legal guidance or representation, please consult with a qualified attorney.
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