Our Assessments

Autism Assessment

Assessments for Autism Spectrum are a package of multiple measures: we like to administer the ADOS-2, or MIGDAS, complete a comprehensive interview battery and intake questionnaires. We may also need to rule out other conditions and require measures to screen for these.

A multidisciplinary diagnosis (agreed upon by a Psychologist and Paediatrician/Psychiatrist as well as other Allied Health Professionals) of Autism is preferred. We like to discuss any possible Autism assessments with your Paediatrician or Psychiatrist before conducting. We may also ask for a Language assessment from a Speech Pathologist to be completed.

We complete autism assessments from ages 4 upwards, including adults.

See our blog for more details!

Cognitive Assessments - Assessing for Intelligence or IQ

Cognitive assessment are those which measure intelligence and aim to produce a score know as IQ or intelligence quotient. They are a measure of how well one performs compared to others their age.

Cognitive assessment include the WISC, WAIS and WPPSI (different tests for different ages) and can be used for meeting diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability/developmental delay or to help determine if a specific learning disorder (reading, writing, mathematics) may be present.

We complete cognitive assessments with people of all ages, from 3 years upwards.

Educational Assessment

Educational assessment measure academic achievement such as reading, writing, spelling, mathematics and other skills necessary for educational environments.

They can be general to measure many domains or for a specific purpose. See below for specific assessments around learning disorders.

We assess all school aged children and teens, as well as young adults.

Specific Learning Disorder Assessments - Assessing for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia

Specific learning disorder's in reading, writing or mathematics (commonly known as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia) are assessed for by completing: an extensive interview around schooling history and background, composting a cognitive assessment to find individual strengths and weaknesses as well as an educational assessment to determine level of skill in academic areas.

We can complete testing for specific learning disorders for children, teens and adults.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment

We administer questionnaires and clinical interviews to assess for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. We also complete observations of behaviour to help determine if this diagnosis might be appropriate. A big part of this process is ruling out and exploring other possible explanations for any concentration, inattention and hyperactive presentations.

Other Assessments

There are other assessments we can administer - if there's something in particular you need please let us know. This could include adaptive behaviour, mood and behaviour inventories, personality assessments, executive function scales or a range of different measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at admin@patc.com.au if you need another question answered

Which Assessment Do I need?

Not sure which one you need? That's completely fine. Tell us what's going on and what you're hoping to understand, and we can help you work out the best place to start. Sometimes we complete a general intake appointment and guide you from here.

Do I need a referral for a psychology assessment?

No. You can contact PATC directly and book a psychology assessment without a referral.

If you've been referred by a paediatrician, psychiatrist, GP, school or another professional, it's helpful to send us any referral letters or previous reports, but you don't need these to get started.

Where can I get an autism assessment in Bendigo?

PATC psychologists provide autism assessments for children, teens and young adults in Bendigo.

Our assessments look at the whole person rather than relying on one test or questionnaire. We consider developmental history, current experiences, strengths, differences and how someone functions across different parts of their life.

Can a psychologist diagnose autism?

Yes. Psychologists with appropriate training and experience can assess and diagnose autism.

Sometimes a multidisciplinary assessment may be recommended depending on the person's presentation or circumstances (such as seeking funding from NDIS or school). If we think additional input would be helpful, we'll talk this through with you.

Can a psychologist diagnose ADHD?

Yes. Psychologists with appropriate training can also assess and diagnose ADHD. Psychologists complete thorough evaluations for ADHD, looking at many possible reasons for inattention, hyperactivity and implulsivity that could cause symptoms.

Psychologists can't prescribe ADHD medication. If medication is something you would like to explore following assessment, you'll also need to see an appropriate medical practitioner.

Can you assess for autism and ADHD together?

Yes. Autism and ADHD commonly co-occur, so it can make sense to explore both within the same assessment process.

Let us know when you enquire if you're wondering about both. We can plan the assessment around the actual questions you have rather than making you automatically complete two completely separate processes.

What's the difference between a cognitive assessment and a learning assessment?

A cognitive assessment looks at thinking and reasoning abilities, while an educational assessment looks at academic skills such as reading, spelling, writing and mathematics.

If we're investigating a possible Specific Learning Disorder, we will often need information from both.

What happens during a psychology assessment?

It depends on what we're assessing.

Most assessments involve a combination of appointments, interviews, questionnaires, standardised assessment and information from other important people or settings, such as school.

Our Assessments are Bespoke - we don't use a one-size-fits-all assessment battery. We select the tools and information needed to answer the specific questions we're exploring.

Will you talk to my child's school?

Often, yes – with your consent.

Information from teachers can be really useful because it helps us understand how a child learns, communicates, manages demands and functions in a different environment.

Depending on the assessment, this might involve questionnaires, teacher information or direct contact with the school. We also complete school observations if necessary.

What if the assessment doesn't result in a diagnosis?

The purpose of assessment isn't to find a diagnosis at all costs. Sometimes someone meets criteria for a diagnosis and sometimes they don't.

Either way, our goal is for you to leave with a better understanding of what's happening, the person's strengths and challenges, and what might help from here. We make lots of recommendations - generally you've asked for an assessment due to questions or challenges and we will support these with or without a diagnosis.

What happens after the assessment?

You'll have a feedback appointment with your psychologist to go through the results, ask questions and talk about recommendations and next steps.

Depending on the outcome, next steps might include school accommodations, allied health support, further medical assessment or simply having a much clearer understanding of the person's strengths and needs.

Will I get a written report?

Yes. Our psychology assessments include a written report explaining the assessment findings and what they mean.

We aim for reports to actually be useful – not just pages of scores. Recommendations are tailored to the individual and may include practical strategies, accommodations and recommendations for home, school, study, work or other settings.