PAWS Psychology And Wellbeing Services

All autism assessments are conducted by a multidisciplinary professional team, including a paediatrician or psychiatrist, a speech pathologist or occupational therapist, and a psychologist. The psychologist compiles all results and data into a report with recommendations and a provisional diagnosis, which the paediatrician or psychiatrist then confirms.

Process:

• Initial Screeners: Sent to clients, parents, and educators.
• Assessment Components: May include cognitive or educational evaluations based on individual needs.
• Assessment Tools: Utilizes instruments like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), especially for children under 12.
• Diagnostic Interviews: Conducted with parents based on DSM V criteria for Autism. Assessments are offered for clients aged 6 and above.
• Older Children and Adults: Uses the MIGDAS-2 as the preferred assessment tool and includes adaptive behavior assessment and additional rating scales as needed.

Age Range:

• Children (6 years and older):
  • Initial screeners, cognitive or educational assessments.
  • ADOS-2 for children under 12.
  • Diagnostic interviews with parents.
• Older Children and Adults:
  • MIGDAS-2 for assessment.
  • Adaptive behavior assessment and additional rating scales as needed.

Tools:

• ADOS-2 and MIGDAS-2: Considered the “gold standard” tools often required for official funding (e.g., National Disability Insurance Scheme; NDIS).
• Includes an adaptive behavior assessment to determine functional capacity and may use additional rating scales for recommendations or identifying co-occurring conditions.

Fees:

• Fees for autism assessments vary based on individual needs and required assessment tools.
• Medicare rebates can be claimed for assessment sessions if you have a referral letter from a paediatrician or psychiatrist. These rebates typically cover four assessment sessions, though in some cases, they may be extended to cover additional sessions.
• Most assessment sessions are longer than standard sessions, often taking up to 90 minutes or requiring double sessions.
• Comprehensive autism assessments, including cognitive assessments, may require up to six clinic sessions, including parent sessions, plus four hours of analysis and report writing.

The fees for assessments reflect the significant time and effort involved. While costly, these fees cover the extensive work required to provide a thorough and accurate diagnosis.

Click here to view current Psychological Assessment fees.

Process:

• ADHD assessments may include cognitive and achievement assessments, depending on individual circumstances.
• Clinical interviews are held with parents, and screening questionnaires are administered to parents, educators, and clients, depending on the client’s age (e.g., Vanderbilt or Conners 4th Edition questionnaire).
• A diagnostic interview using the DIVA 5 or DIVA 5 for young people is conducted based on the client’s age.
• Children and Adolescents:
  • Clinical interviews with parents.
  • Screening questionnaires for parents, educators, and clients.
  • Diagnostic interviews using age-appropriate tools.
• Adults:
  • Similar process without the need for parent interviews.

Considerations:

• A thorough assessment ensures all potential explanations for behavior are considered, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis or overlooking comorbid factors.
• There is no medically-based test for ADHD, but a comprehensive assessment can provide a reliable diagnosis.

Click here to view current Psychological Assessment fees.

Psycho-educational (psychometric or cognitive & achievement) assessments diagnose learning disorders, intellectual disability, and giftedness in children, adolescents, and adults. These assessments may also form part of a broader evaluation.

• Children, Adolescents, and Adults:
  • Cognitive assessment types vary by age.

Process:

• A cognitive assessment includes one evaluation.
• Parents and clients receive a detailed report with findings and recommendations, followed by a feedback session to discuss the report in detail.

Wechsler Assessments:

• WISC-V A&NZ: For children aged 6 to 16 years 11 months.
• WAIS-IV A&NZ: For adolescents and adults aged 16 years and older.

Educational Assessments:

• Utilize the cognitive assessments mentioned above along with the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III A&NZ) for children, adolescents, and adults aged 4 years and older.
• Includes a report and feedback session with recommendations.

Click here to view current Psychological Assessment fees.

Adult assessments may have reduced fees as they do not require a diagnostic parent interview or discussions with an educator.

Click here to view current Psychological Assessment fees.