Diagnostic Assessments
Autism, ADHD & Psychological Assessments
A psychological assessment can provide greater clarity about how a person thinks, learns, communicates and experiences the world.
At The Social Space Psychology Clinic, we provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children, teenagers and adults. Our approach is collaborative and individualised, with a focus on developing a meaningful understanding of the person rather than simply providing a diagnosis.
Where appropriate, assessment findings are translated into practical recommendations that can support the individual at home, school, university, work and in everyday life.
Our Assessment Services
Autism Assessments
Autism assessments explore an individual’s developmental history, communication, social experiences, patterns of behaviour, interests, sensory experiences and everyday functioning.
Assessment involves gathering information from multiple sources where appropriate and considering the individual’s presentation across different environments.
For children and teenagers, parents or carers are typically involved in providing developmental information. Information from schools or other professionals may also be helpful.
For adults, assessment may include exploration of childhood experiences alongside current relationships, communication, sensory experiences, routines, interests and everyday functioning.
Our approach recognises that Autism can present differently across individuals and across the lifespan.
Where a diagnostic assessment is being undertaken, information is considered alongside relevant diagnostic criteria and the psychologist’s clinical judgement.
ADHD Assessments
ADHD assessments explore patterns of attention, impulsivity, activity level and executive functioning, and how these may affect everyday life.
Assessment may consider areas such as:
- Attention and concentration
- Organisation and planning
- Working memory
- Time management
- Task initiation and completion
- Impulse control
- Activity levels and restlessness
- Emotional regulation
- Functioning at school, university, work and home
Information is gathered from multiple sources where appropriate to develop a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s experiences and functioning. No single questionnaire or test determines the outcome.
Cognitive Assessments
Cognitive assessments provide information about an individual’s cognitive functioning, including their pattern of thinking and learning strengths and areas of difficulty.
Depending on the reason for referral, assessment may explore areas including:
- Verbal reasoning
- Visual-spatial skills
- Fluid reasoning
- Working memory
- Processing speed
Understanding a person’s cognitive profile can help identify areas of strength as well as areas where additional support may be beneficial.
Results may assist with educational planning, understanding learning needs and informing recommendations for home, school or other settings.
Learning Assessments
Learning assessments can help explore difficulties affecting academic progress and identify an individual’s pattern of strengths and challenges.
They may be relevant when there are questions about persistent difficulties in areas such as reading, written expression or mathematics, including where a Specific Learning Disorder is being considered.
Assessment may examine areas such as:
- Reading
- Written expression
- Spelling
- Mathematics
- Academic fluency
- Related cognitive processes
Where appropriate, cognitive and academic assessment information may be considered together to develop a clearer understanding of learning needs and inform practical recommendations.
Why Consider an Assessment?
There are many reasons an individual or family may seek psychological assessment.
You may be looking for greater clarity about longstanding difficulties, trying to understand why certain environments or expectations are challenging, seeking information about learning needs, or wanting recommendations that can guide future support.
For some people, assessment may also provide a framework for better understanding their experiences, strengths and needs.
An assessment may assist with:
- Understanding an individual’s strengths and challenges
- Clarifying developmental, attentional or learning concerns
- Informing therapy and support planning
- Developing practical recommendations
- Supporting conversations with schools or other professionals
- Identifying areas where adjustments or additional support may be helpful
An assessment is not only about determining whether a diagnosis applies. The aim is to develop a useful understanding of the individual and what may support them moving forward.
Every Assessment Is Individual
The Assessment Process Depends on the Question We’re Exploring
Assessment type and scope are determined according to the referral question and individual circumstances. Not every assessment involves the same tools, informants or number of sessions, and a particular diagnosis cannot be guaranteed.
The initial consultation helps us understand what you would like to explore and whether the assessment options available at The Social Space are appropriate for your needs.
Our Assessment Process
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Initial Consultation
The process begins by understanding the reason for referral, current concerns, relevant history and the questions you would like the assessment to help answer.
This also allows us to determine whether the assessment available at The Social Space is appropriate for your needs.
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Information Gathering
Relevant developmental, educational, psychological and medical history may be explored.
Depending on the assessment, questionnaires or information may also be requested from parents, carers, teachers or other people who know the individual well.
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Assessment Sessions
Assessment sessions are completed using appropriate standardised assessment tools together with clinical interview, observation and other relevant information.
The number and length of sessions will vary depending on the type of assessment and the individual’s needs.
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Clinical Integration
Assessment results are considered alongside developmental history, current functioning, observations and information gathered from other relevant sources.
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Feedback
A feedback session provides an opportunity to discuss the findings, ask questions and understand what the results mean in practical terms.
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Report and Recommendations
Where included in the assessment service, a written report summarises relevant findings and provides recommendations tailored to the individual’s needs and circumstances.
Assessment fees, Medicare rebates and funding options are set out on our Fees & Funding page, and you can read about the psychologists who provide assessments on Meet Our Team.
A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
Assessment should help people understand themselves — not reduce them to a score or diagnosis.
Our approach recognises individual differences in communication, sensory processing, attention, learning, emotional regulation and social experience.
We aim to identify strengths alongside areas of difficulty and to provide recommendations that support the individual rather than focusing solely on changing how they present.
Assessment Enquiries
Not Sure Which Assessment You Need?
You don’t need to know exactly which assessment to request before contacting us. Tell us a little about what you’d like to better understand, and our team can explain the assessment options available and whether an initial consultation may be appropriate.