Is An Assessment Right for My Child?

You might be wondering whether an assessment is really needed, or whether your child will simply “grow out of” their difficulties. These are very common questions, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

An assessment can be helpful if your child is:

  • Struggling at school despite their efforts

  • Becoming anxious, overwhelmed, or frustrated by learning

  • Finding it hard to concentrate, organise themselves, or manage emotions

  • Experiencing social challenges or feeling misunderstood

  • Needing additional support at school, but it’s unclear what type

An assessment is not about labelling a child; it’s about understanding how they learn and experience the world, so we can support them in the most helpful way.

  • Most assessments include an intake session, one or more assessment sessions, questionnaires (home/school where relevant), a comprehensive written report, and a feedback session to talk through results and next steps.

  • While our primary focus is on children (from age 6) and adolescents, we are able to support individuals across the lifespan. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs, and we will help determine whether our services are the right fit. We are committed to recommending the most appropriate pathway based on age, goals, and individual circumstances, including external referrals where needed.

  • The timeline depends on the referral questions and tools required. Once the final assessment session is completed, we aim for a four-week turnaround for your written report and feedback appointment (this may vary slightly depending on complexity and information needed).

  • Assessments are completed onsite at your child’s school, which allows us to gather a meaningful snapshot of their learning needs in an academic setting.

    All other appointments, including intake, parent interviews, feedback sessions, and follow-ups, are conducted online via telehealth, offering flexibility and convenience for families without the need for additional travel.

  • It can help to frame it as a chance to understand how their brain works - what helps them learn, cope, and thrive. You might say: “We’re meeting someone who helps us understand how you learn so we can work out what supports make things easier.”

  • Yes. Breaks are always available and we pace sessions to support comfort, regulation, and best effort.

  • With your written consent, we can gather teacher input and share relevant recommendations. This often strengthens practical support at school.

  • Yes, this can be arranged where helpful. Any additional consultation time is discussed with you in advance.

  • Because assessment appointments reserve structured time that is difficult to reallocate at short notice, we ask for at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations or missed appointments may incur a fee. The full policy is available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Assessment Cancellations & Missed Appointments

We understand that seeking an assessment can feel like a big step, and that family life can be unpredictable. At the same time, psychological assessments involve significant preparation and carefully reserved clinician time that cannot easily be offered to other families at short notice.

When an assessment appointment is confirmed, that time is set aside specifically for your child.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

We kindly ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an assessment appointment.

  • 48 hours or more notice: No cancellation fee

  • Less than 48 hours’ notice: 50% of the standard session fee ($220)

  • Less than 24 hours’ notice, or non-attendance: 100% of the standard session fee ($220)

Please note that weekends and public holidays are not included when calculating notice periods, as these days do not allow us to reallocate assessment appointments.

How to Let Us Know

All cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made via email so they are received within the required timeframe.

Late Arrivals & Missed Appointments

Assessment sessions are structured and time-limited.

If you arrive more than 20 minutes late, the assessment may not be able to proceed effectively. In these circumstances, the appointment will be treated as a missed session and 100% of the standard session fee ($220) will apply.

The full Assessment Cancellation & Non-Attendance Policy is available on request.

Assessment Cancellations & Missed Appointments