Assessments
Neurodevelopmental Assessments
Autism Assessment
We recognise Autism as a naturally occurring variation in human development. Our assessors are skilled at identifying variations in the way that Autism presents, including more traditional externalised presentations and internalised or highly masked presentation. We understand the nuances of assessment where there are complex factors such as a history of trauma.
The assessment process focuses on engaging each individual and their support networks. Children, teens and adults are encouraged to explore their areas of interest and share their unique way of relating to the world. Parents, family members and teachers are encouraged share the story of the individual. We seek to understand what makes each person uniquely themselves and discover their profile of individual strengths and differences. As Autism and ADHD frequently occur together, we typically screen for ADHD traits during our assessment process.
ADHD Assessment
We view ADHD as a naturally occurring neurodevelopmental difference that comes with a range of strengths and challenges. Our ADHD assessments identify both external and internalised ADHD presentations. Each assessment is tailored to the individuals age and needs. Assessment usually includes interviews, observations, and questionnaires. Some of the tools we use include the Young DIVA 5 (for ages 5 -17 years), DIVA 5 (Adults), Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF), Behavior Assessment Scale for Children, and Conners questionnaires.
Your psychologist will choose the most appropriate assessment tools for your situation.
We recognise Autism as a naturally occurring variation in human development. Our assessors are skilled at identifying variations in the way that Autism presents, including more traditional externalised presentations and internalised or highly masked presentation. We understand the nuances of assessment where there are complex factors such as a history of trauma.
The assessment process focuses on engaging each individual and their support networks. Children, teens and adults are encouraged to explore their areas of interest and share their unique way of relating to the world. Parents, family members and teachers are encouraged share the story of the individual. We seek to understand what makes each person uniquely themselves and discover their profile of individual strengths and differences. As Autism and ADHD frequently occur together, we typically screen for ADHD traits during our assessment process.
ADHD Assessment
We view ADHD as a naturally occurring neurodevelopmental difference that comes with a range of strengths and challenges. Our ADHD assessments identify both external and internalised ADHD presentations. Each assessment is tailored to the individuals age and needs. Assessment usually includes interviews, observations, and questionnaires. Some of the tools we use include the Young DIVA 5 (for ages 5 -17 years), DIVA 5 (Adults), Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF), Behavior Assessment Scale for Children, and Conners questionnaires.
Your psychologist will choose the most appropriate assessment tools for your situation.
Psychoeducational Assessment
Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
Our psychoeducational assessments are useful for children, teens and adults experiencing learning difficulties and for those seeking a formal diagnosis for dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia.
There are three main types of Specific Learning Disorders
Cognitive Assessment
Cognitive assessment are more commonly called intelligence or IQ testing. This type of assessment provides information about memory, problem solving and reasoning skills. Cognitive assessment can help to identify learning strengths and weaknesses. It is also used to identify giftedness or developmental delay and when diagnosing intellectual disability.
Adaptive Behaviour Assessment - the Vineland-III and ABAS-III are used to assess the functional skills needed for daily living. These assessments provide information about an individuals communication, self-care skills, motor skills, socialisation skills, community use, and coping skills. The Vineland or ABAS are completed by parents/caregivers, individuals and teachers.
Our psychoeducational assessments are useful for children, teens and adults experiencing learning difficulties and for those seeking a formal diagnosis for dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia.
There are three main types of Specific Learning Disorders
- Specific learning disorder in reading.
- Specific learning disorder in writing/written expression.
- Specific learning disorder in mathematics.
Cognitive Assessment
Cognitive assessment are more commonly called intelligence or IQ testing. This type of assessment provides information about memory, problem solving and reasoning skills. Cognitive assessment can help to identify learning strengths and weaknesses. It is also used to identify giftedness or developmental delay and when diagnosing intellectual disability.
- WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) is an intelligence test for children age 2 years 6 months to 7 year 7 months.
- WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) is an intelligence test used with children 6 years to 16 years 11 months.
- WAIS-V (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) is used to measure intelligence for those aged 17 years and over.
Adaptive Behaviour Assessment - the Vineland-III and ABAS-III are used to assess the functional skills needed for daily living. These assessments provide information about an individuals communication, self-care skills, motor skills, socialisation skills, community use, and coping skills. The Vineland or ABAS are completed by parents/caregivers, individuals and teachers.
What to expect
Assessment with children, teens and adults each look a little different and are tailored to your specific circumstances and needs. We've included an outline of the typical process for children/teens and for adults.
Children and Teens:
Children and Teens:
- The Pre-Assessment Consultation: In this session, you meet your psychologist, discuss what you are hoping to gain from the assessment. Your psychologist gathers further information and explains the assessment tools and assessment process. We do our best to answer any other questions. Your psychologist will advise you on the likely number of sessions, including any parent/teacher meetings and child assessment sessions. We then provide you with a final assessment quote.
- Parent sessions of around 2- 3 hours are booked. We may also speak to your child’s educators or any therapists they are currently working with.
- Assessment questionnaires sent out to parent/teacher/others.
- Observations in the early education or school setting if needed.
- Child assessment sessions: The number and length vary depending on the type of assessment. We like to get to know the children and young people we assess and prefer to meet them over multiple sessions. Most often, this includes 2-4 sessions of around 45 minutes to 1.5 hours each.
- Report Writing and Feedback session. Provision of a comprehensive written report within 4 weeks of completion of all questionnaires and assessment sessions.
- Initial 1 hour assessment appointment with your psychologist. In this session we gather background and developmental information and advise you of how many sessions we expect your assessment to take.
- Assessment sessions: Autism assessments usually include 3-4 hours of assessment interviews, split over 2 or 3 sessions. ADHD assessments usually include 1.5- 2 hours of assessment interviews.
- Distribution of questionnaires. This includes questionnaires for the individual to complete. When possible, we ask someone else who knows you well to complete a questionnaire. This could be a friend, partner, parent or sibling. We might also ask for a sample of your old school reports (if you still have them).
- Once we’ve finished your assessment sessions and gathered all the relevant questionnaires we write up your report and meet with you for a 1 hour feedback session.
Coastal Kids Psychology 2026
ABN 65670349658
ABN 65670349658