Instinct Psychology

Assessments to understand what’s going on and what to do next

For ages 6+: children, teenagers and adults.

The bridge between the clinic and the classroom or workplace.

What an assessment is for

An assessment is a way of learning about yourself: your strengths, the barriers and the path forward. It can answer many different kinds of question. Why is reading so hard? Is this ADHD? Could it be autism? What does my child need at school?

An assessment draws on information from a range of sources, including testing and, with your permission, conversations with teachers or other professionals. It produces a report and recommendations tailored to those strengths and barriers, and to the place where they will be used.

Find your assessment and fee

What would you like to understand? Tick all that apply.

Already have a recent cognitive assessment, such as a WISC or WAIS? You may not need another one. Leave Thinking and learning unticked, and we can talk about using that report on the enquiry call.

Tick what you’d like to understand and the matching assessment and fee appear here.

Based on what you ticked:

Fee, with no extra charges beyond it

What is included. An intake session, all questionnaires, one to three assessment sessions at the clinic, a short conversation with a teacher or other professional where useful, a one hour feedback session and a written report.

Usual time from intake to feedback: six weeks.

This is a guide. We confirm the right assessment together on the enquiry call, and you get the fee in writing before you book.

Make an enquiry

All assessments and fees

  • Learning assessment

    How a person thinks and learns. A cognitive assessment (WISC-V or WAIS) plus an emotional and behavioural screening to identify if anything else may be going on. This is also the assessment for giftedness and intellectual disability, with an adaptive behaviour assessment included where needed.

    $1,595

  • Academic assessment

    The learning assessment plus reading, writing and maths testing (WIAT-III). This helps identify specific learning disorders (otherwise known as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia).

    $3,190

  • Academic testing only

    Reading, writing and maths testing (WIAT-III) on its own, for someone who has had a cognitive assessment recently or who only needs the academic testing.

    $2,890

  • ADHD assessment

    Attention and executive functioning. This involves interviews and questionnaires with people across multiple areas of the person’s life. Adding a cognitive assessment helps rule other explanations in or out, which parents, teachers and health professionals often find useful.

    $2,395With a cognitive assessment: $2,695

  • Autism assessment

    An interview-based autism assessment (MIGDAS-2), with measures of social experience and masking. A cognitive assessment can be added for the same reason.

    $2,995With a cognitive assessment: $3,295

  • ADHD and autism together

    Both assessments in one process, with $200 off the combined fee.

    $3,895With a cognitive assessment: $4,195

  • Academic testing added to any assessment

    Reading, writing and maths testing added to an ADHD or autism assessment.

    Add $1,595

  • Everything

    ADHD, autism, cognitive and academic testing in one process.

    $5,790

The tests I use

Paediatricians, schools and funding bodies often ask for a test by name. Here is how the names match up with the assessments above.

  • WISC-V and WAIS. Cognitive (IQ) tests that measure how a person reasons, remembers and processes information. The WISC-V is for ages 6 to 16 and the WAIS-5 for ages 16 and over. If you have been asked for a WISC-V, that is the Learning assessment.
  • WIAT-III. An academic test of reading, writing, maths and oral language. It shows where a person’s skills sit for their age and helps identify specific learning disorders. If you have been asked for a WIAT-III, that is academic testing, on its own or added to the Learning assessment.
  • MIGDAS-2. An interview-based autism assessment that explores a person’s interests, sensory experiences and way of relating through conversation. I use it because it is a neuroaffirming, strengths-based way to assess.
  • ADHD. Interviews and questionnaires completed by the person and by people who know them well, such as parents and teachers.

How it works

  1. Enquiry. Send an enquiry. We will then organise a 15-minute phone call to work out which assessment fits your question and the next steps.
  2. Intake session (30 minutes). You complete detailed intake and developmental history forms beforehand, so we use this session for targeted questions.
  3. Questionnaires. Some for you, and some for a teacher or someone who knows you or your child well.
  4. Assessment sessions. One to three sessions at the clinic in Camberwell, each about two hours. How many depends on the assessment.
  5. Feedback session (1 hour). Usually about six weeks after intake. We go through the results together and discuss strategies that help with whatever is identified.
  6. Report. A written report with practical recommendations made for you. It can be provided to your school, university, workplace or other health professionals to assist in providing targeted support.

Funding and rebates

Medicare

A Mental Health Treatment Plan covers counselling, not assessment, so assessment sessions and reports can’t be claimed under one.

With a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist, a person under 25 being assessed for a complex neurodevelopmental condition such as autism may receive a Medicare rebate for up to four assessment sessions with me. The paediatrician or psychiatrist makes the diagnosis and writes the referral before the assessment starts. I can talk you through this on the enquiry call.

NDIS

Self-managed and plan-managed participants can use their funding for an assessment where it fits their plan. I am not an NDIS registered provider, so agency-managed funding can’t be used here.

Private health insurance

Some funds give a rebate on psychology through extras cover. Check with your fund before you book.

Enquire about an assessment

Tell me who the assessment is for and the question you want answered. We will then organise a 15-minute phone call to work out which assessment fits and the next steps.

Make an enquiry