Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered some of the most common questions families ask us about psychological assessments for children and adolescents.
This includes questions about ADHD, Autism, learning assessments, reports, and funding options. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Booking and choosing the right appointment.
-
If you're unsure which assessment is most appropriate, we recommend starting with a pre-assessment consultation. During this appointment, the psychologist will discuss your concerns, gather background information, and help determine the most suitable assessment pathway for your child.
In many cases, families already have a clear referral or area of concern (such as ADHD, Autism, learning differences, or cognitive assessment), and you are welcome to book directly into the relevant assessment if you feel confident doing so.
If you're still unsure, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to guide you.
-
No referral is required to book a psychological assessment at Blue Door Psychology. Families are welcome to contact us directly to arrange an appointment.
Some families choose to obtain a referral from their GP, paediatrician, or another health professional to help guide the assessment process or to support access to Medicare rebates (where applicable). However, a referral is not required to access our services.
If you're unsure whether a referral may be helpful in your situation, please feel free to contact us and we can guide you.
-
Blue Door Psychology provides psychological assessments for children and adolescents.
Most assessments are typically conducted with children from approximately 6 years of age through to the late teenage years, depending on the type of assessment required. The suitability of an assessment can vary depending on a child’s developmental stage, the concerns being explored, and the specific assessment tools involved.
If you are unsure whether your child is at the right age for a particular assessment, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to discuss your situation.
-
Blue Door Psychology currently provides psychological assessments for children and adolescents only.
Our services are specifically designed to support young people and their families in understanding developmental, learning, and neurodivergent profiles during childhood and adolescence.
If you are seeking an assessment for an adult, we recommend contacting a psychologist who specialises in adult assessments.
-
Blue Door Psychology specialises in psychological assessments for children and adolescents.
Our focus is on providing comprehensive assessments that help families better understand learning, attention, development, and neurodivergent profiles. These assessments often include detailed reports and practical recommendations to support children at home and at school.
While we do not currently offer ongoing therapy services, our reports include tailored recommendations and referrals where appropriate, and many families go on to access therapy with other providers following the assessment process.
The assessment process.
-
It’s very common for children to feel a little unsure about attending an appointment somewhere new, and we work hard to make the experience feel calm, friendly, and supportive.
Assessment sessions are paced to suit each child, with breaks available when needed. Many of the activities are presented as puzzles, games, or short tasks, and we aim to create an environment where children feel comfortable simply trying their best.
Some families find it helpful to show their child photos of the clinic and the clinicians on our website beforehand, so the environment feels more familiar. We also have a clinic tour video on our Facebook page, which can help children see what the space looks like before they arrive.
Our clinic includes a range of toys, games, and relaxed spaces to help children feel at ease during their visit.
-
No. Our goal is to create a calm and supportive environment where children can do their best without feeling pressured.
Assessment activities are usually presented as a series of age-appropriate short tasks, puzzles, or questions, and we work at a pace that suits each child. Breaks are offered when needed, and children are encouraged to simply try their best.
The assessment is not like a school test and there is no pass or fail. The purpose is to understand how your child thinks, learns, and approaches different tasks so we can build a clear picture of their strengths and areas where support may be helpful.
-
Parents or caregivers are usually involved in some parts of the assessment process, such as the parent interview and the feedback appointment.
For child assessment sessions, this can vary depending on the child, the type of assessment, and the clinician’s judgement on the day. In some cases, a parent may be invited to sit in for the beginning of the session, for part of the session, or occasionally for the full session. In other cases, the child may complete the session independently with the psychologist.
Our approach is guided by what will best support the child to feel comfortable while also allowing the psychologist to observe their thinking, engagement, and responses as accurately as possible.
If there are particular concerns about separation, anxiety, or support needs, these can be discussed with the clinician as part of the assessment process.
-
Yes. Teacher input is an important part of most psychological assessments, as it provides insight into how a child is functioning in the classroom and learning environment.
As part of the assessment process, we typically send questionnaires and brief observational checklists directly to your child’s teacher. This information helps us understand how your child is learning, concentrating, and interacting with others at school, and ensures the assessment reflects their experiences across different environments.
If a teacher is not available, we can discuss alternative options, such as obtaining information from a previous teacher, tutor, or another professional who works closely with your child.
-
We understand that school situations can vary, and we can usually find a suitable way to gather helpful information.
If your child has recently changed schools, we may send questionnaires to either their current teacher, previous teacher, or sometimes both, depending on who knows your child best.
If your child is homeschooled or not currently attending school, we can discuss alternative options such as obtaining input from a tutor, allied health professional, or another adult involved in your child’s learning or care.
Our goal is to gather information from more than one environment so we can build a well-rounded understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges.
Medication.
-
In most cases, we recommend that children attend their assessment as they normally would on a typical school day.
If your child usually takes medication (for example for ADHD, anxiety, or other medical reasons), they should generally continue their usual routine unless you have been advised otherwise by their treating doctor.
The goal of the assessment is to understand how your child typically functions in their everyday environment. If you have recently started or changed medication and are unsure what to do, please feel free to contact us and we can discuss the best approach for your situation.
-
If your child has recently started medication or had a change in dosage, it can sometimes be helpful to allow a little time for things to settle before completing an assessment.
In many cases, families choose to proceed with the assessment as planned, while in other situations the psychologist may recommend waiting until the medication routine has stabilised. If you are unsure, please feel free to contact us and we can discuss the most appropriate timing for your child’s assessment.
-
No. Psychologists do not prescribe medication.
Psychologists focus on assessment, diagnosis, and psychological support. Medication is typically prescribed and managed by medical professionals, such as paediatricians, psychiatrists, or GPs with appropriate training.
If medication may be helpful for your child, the psychologist may recommend discussing this with your child’s treating doctor.
-
Medication for ADHD or other mental health conditions is usually managed by a paediatrician, psychiatrist, or GP with relevant experience.
If your child receives a diagnosis during the assessment process and medication may be appropriate, the psychologist may recommend that you speak with your child’s doctor about possible options. The assessment report can also be shared with your child’s treating medical professional to help inform their care.
Assessment Outcomes.
-
You do not need to book the feedback appointment in advance.
Once all assessment sessions have been completed and the psychologist has had time to review and integrate the results, our team will contact you to arrange the feedback appointment.
This timing can vary slightly depending on the type of assessment and when background information (such as parent and teacher questionnaires) is returned, so we prefer to schedule the feedback session once the psychologist is ready to discuss the findings with you.
-
Following the feedback appointment, the written assessment report is typically provided within up to 8 weeks.
This time allows the psychologist to carefully review the assessment results, integrate information from interviews and questionnaires, and prepare a comprehensive report outlining the findings, interpretation, and recommendations.
We aim to provide reports as soon as possible while ensuring they are clear, thorough, and clinically accurate.
-
Feedback appointments are usually attended by parents or caregivers only.
This appointment focuses on discussing the assessment results, explaining the child’s cognitive and learning profile, and reviewing recommendations in detail. Many families find it helpful to have space to ask questions and talk through next steps without their child present.
In some cases, older children or teenagers may attend the feedback appointment, particularly if they are involved in understanding the assessment results. If this may be helpful, the psychologist can discuss this with you.
-
Not every assessment results in a diagnosis, and this can still be very valuable.
Psychological assessments help build a detailed understanding of how a child learns, thinks, and engages with the world. Even when a diagnosis is not identified, the assessment can highlight strengths, learning styles, and areas where additional support may be helpful.
Families often find that the recommendations and insights from the assessment provide helpful guidance for supporting their child at home and at school moving forward.
Assessment Reports.
-
The timing of results can vary slightly depending on the type of assessment and how quickly background information and questionnaires are returned.
Once all assessment sessions are completed and we have received the required information from parents, teachers, and other relevant professionals, the psychologist will review and integrate the results. When the psychologist is ready to discuss the findings, our team will contact you to arrange the feedback appointment.
During this appointment, the psychologist will explain the results, discuss recommendations, and answer any questions you may have.
The written report is typically provided within up to 8 weeks following the feedback appointment, once the assessment process and associated fees have been finalised.
-
The assessment report provides a detailed summary of your child’s developmental history, assessment results, and the psychologist’s clinical interpretation of the findings.
Reports typically include information about your child’s strengths, areas of difficulty, and overall cognitive and learning profile, along with any relevant diagnoses (where applicable). The report also includes practical recommendations to support your child at home, at school, and with any recommended allied health or educational supports.
The aim of the report is to provide families with a clear understanding of their child’s profile and helpful guidance for next steps.
-
The assessment report is provided to the parent or caregiver who has engaged our services.
Families are welcome to share the report with others involved in their child’s care or education, such as schools, teachers, GPs, paediatricians, or other allied health professionals, if they feel it would be helpful.
If requested, we can also arrange for the report to be sent directly to another professional involved in your child’s care with your consent.
-
Assessment reports are often used to support school-based adjustments, learning supports, and referrals to allied health services.
In some cases, reports may also assist families when applying for or reviewing NDIS supports, depending on the child’s needs and the purpose of the assessment.
Our reports are prepared using recognised assessment tools and clinical guidelines, including DSM-5 diagnostic criteria where relevant, to ensure they provide clear and meaningful information for families, schools, and other professionals involved in a child’s care.
Fees, Funding and Rebates.
-
The cost of an assessment depends on the type and scope of the assessment required.
Our services page provides an overview of the different assessment options and associated fees. In most cases, the quoted fee includes all core components of the assessment process, such as interviews, testing sessions, scoring, interpretation, the feedback appointment, and preparation of the written report.
If additional testing is recommended during the assessment process, we will always discuss this with you beforehand so you can decide whether you would like to proceed.
-
Some families may be able to claim a partial rebate through their private health insurance, depending on their level of cover.
Because private health policies vary significantly, we recommend checking directly with your health fund to confirm whether psychological assessments are included under your extras cover and whether a rebate is available.
If your health fund requires provider numbers, item numbers, or other information to provide a quote for your rebate, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist.
-
In some cases, psychological assessments may be funded through a child’s NDIS plan, depending on the purpose of the assessment and the funding allocations within the plan.
As Blue Door Psychology is not a registered NDIS provider, we are unable to accept agency-managed plans. However, families with plan-managed or self-managed funding may be able to use their funding for assessment services.
If you are unsure whether your child’s plan includes appropriate funding, we recommend speaking with your plan manager or support coordinator.
-
Medicare rebates for psychological assessments are limited and are generally only available through specific referral pathways.
In some cases, families may be eligible for rebates under the M10 services for complex neurodevelopmental conditions and eligible disabilities, which requires a revelvant referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
If you are unsure whether a rebate may apply, we recommend speaking with your child’s referring specialist or contacting us before booking.
-
In some situations, families may be able to claim a Medicare rebate for a consultation appointment where this service is provided under a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHCP) or specialist referral.
These consultation appointments can sometimes be helpful for discussing concerns, exploring support options, or determining whether an assessment may be appropriate. Eligibility depends on the referral pathway and Medicare requirements.
If you are unsure whether a Medicare rebate may apply in your situation, please feel free to contact us before booking.
ADHD and Autism Assessments.
-
The main difference between a standard and comprehensive ADHD assessment is the scope of testing completed.
A standard ADHD assessment focuses specifically on understanding whether ADHD may be present. It typically includes developmental history, questionnaires from parents and teachers, clinical interviews, and targeted assessment of attention and executive functioning.
A comprehensive ADHD assessment explores ADHD within a broader cognitive and learning context. In addition to ADHD-specific measures, it often includes cognitive testing and academic assessment to better understand a child’s overall learning profile and identify any co-occurring learning differences.
The most appropriate option will depend on your child’s needs, and we are happy to discuss this with you if you are unsure which assessment pathway may be most helpful.
-
ADHD assessments are generally not recommended for children under the age of six.
In early childhood, many behaviours associated with ADHD - such as high activity levels, short attention spans, and impulsivity - are also part of typical development. Because young children are still developing their attention, emotional regulation, and self-control, it can be difficult to determine whether these behaviours reflect normal developmental variation or a persistent neurodevelopmental difference.
For this reason, formal ADHD assessments are usually considered more reliable once children are in the early years of primary school, when expectations around attention, learning, and classroom behaviour become clearer.
If concerns arise during the preschool years, we are happy to discuss your situation and help determine the most appropriate next steps.
-
Yes. In many cases it can be helpful to assess for Autism and ADHD together, particularly when concerns relate to attention, social communication, learning, or emotional regulation.
Some children may complete an Autism-only assessment, while others may benefit from a combined Autism and ADHD assessment to ensure a more complete understanding of their profile.
If you are unsure whether a single or combined assessment would be most appropriate, a pre-assessment consultation can help determine the most suitable pathway.
-
In most cases, no. At Blue Door Psychology, Autism assessments may be completed either with our Senior Clinical Psychologist or with our Clinical Registrar Psychologist.
While the process differs slightly behind the scenes, both pathways are designed to provide a thorough assessment, clear feedback, and a comprehensive report.
Where the assessment is completed with our Clinical Registrar Psychologist, the diagnosis and final report are reviewed and co-signed by our Senior Clinical Psychologist as part of the service and fee. This does not require any additional appointments for families.
-
Yes. If your child receives a diagnosis and you would like to explore NDIS access or further supports, the clinician will usually complete the relevant NDIS clinical sections or supporting documentation and provide this to your family as part of the service.
Our assessment reports are also carefully prepared to include the detailed clinical information, functional impacts, and supporting evidence typically required for NDIS applications and related documentation.
Please note that this does not automatically include completion of all external forms or applications. Additional paperwork, such as Centrelink Carer Allowance forms, may attract a separate fee if requested.
While we cannot guarantee eligibility or funding outcomes, our aim is to provide families with clear, thorough documentation to support the application process where appropriate.