At Nelson Bay Psychology, we provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Assessments can help clarify a diagnosis, identify strengths and challenges, and guide practical recommendations for school, work, or daily life.

 

Why Seek an Assessment?

A psychological assessment may be helpful when there are concerns about:

• Developmental differences (e.g., autism, ADHD).

• Learning difficulties or uneven academic progress.

• Behavioural or emotional challenges.

• Adaptive functioning and independence skills.

• Clarification of diagnosis to support access to funding (e.g., NDIS, school supports, WorkCover).

 

Assessments provide a clear picture of strengths and difficulties, enabling tailored strategies and support.

 

Our Assessment Process

1. Referral & Intake – Discussion of concerns and history (GP referral, self-referral, or specialist request).

2. Information Gathering – Parent/teacher questionnaires, developmental history, medical and school reports.

3. Direct Assessment – One or more sessions using standardised tools, clinical observation, and interactive tasks.

4. Scoring & Interpretation – Data is analysed to build a profile of abilities and needs.

5. Feedback Session – Results and recommendations are explained in plain language.

6. Written Report – A comprehensive report is provided for families, GPs, schools, or funding bodies.

 

Types of Assessments

 

Autism Spectrum Assessment

• Tools: MIGDAS-2, parent/teacher interviews, questionnaires.

• Purpose: Identify strengths and differences in social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour.

 

ADHD Assessment

• Tools: Conners CBRS, interviews, behavioural checklists, cognitive testing.

• Purpose: Assess attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and related executive functions.

 

Learning & Cognitive Assessment

• Tools: WISC-V, WIAT-III, ABAS-3, memory and processing measures.

• Purpose: Identify learning strengths/difficulties, guide school supports, diagnose learning disorders.

 

Emotional & Behavioural Assessment

• Tools: Standardised rating scales, interviews, behavioural observations.

• Purpose: Clarify mood, anxiety, and behavioural presentations to inform treatment.

 

Adaptive Functioning Assessment

• Tools: ABAS-3, Vineland-3.

• Purpose: Evaluate daily living, social, and communication skills (important for NDIS and disability funding).

 

Reporting & Outcomes

• Reports are written in clear, accessible language.

• Recommendations are tailored to the child’s or adult’s context (home, school, workplace).

• With consent, feedback is shared with GPs, schools, and other health professionals to ensure coordinated care.

 

Our goal is to ensure every assessment leads to practical, meaningful recommendations — helping patients and families access the right supports at the right time.