Psychological Assessments
What is psychological assessment?
Testing is a formal process using validated and reliable measures of aspects of an individual's psychological or cognitive functioning. It might include paper and pencil tests like questionnaires and surveys, or the completion of set puzzle-like activities that evaluate certain skills such as planning, memory or problem-solving. Referrals are not typically required although exceptions may apply (e.g., worker's compensation).
What is psychological assessment used for?
Psychological testing can answer a broad range of questions. For instance, a psychologist may help test an individual to judge whether they are competent to manage their own affairs responsibly. Psychologists often assess children with special learning needs, people with brain injuries, or older adults experiencing problems with declining memory so that they, and others around them better understand their needs. Psychologists also provide assessments for the criminal justice system, or evaluate and provide professional psychological opinion to the courts on child custody cases.
What are assessment reports used for?
There are a number of reasons why psychological assessment reports are required. At Dune Health and Wellbeing we provide assessments and reports including:
Executive functioning (IQ) and memory testing for work or study
Child development assessment for school placement / support
NDIS applications or reviews
Immigration reports
Court reports (including pre-sentencing)
Vocational assessment
What psychometric assessments do we use?
We have years of experience using a diverse range of psychometric tests with a wide variety of clients. Tests most commonly used in our practice include:
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) is the most advanced measure of adult intellectual ability.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) is the new gold standard assessment tool designed to measure a child’s intellectual ability.
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-IV) is an individually administered measure of oral language, reading, written language and mathematics.
Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-IV) is a neuropsychological test designed to measure different memory functions in a person.
Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-IV COG) is an individually-administered, norm-referenced instrument that measures general intellectual ability and specific cognitive abilities in persons age 2 to 90+ years old.
Conners 4 Assessments are used to assess ADHD and evaluate problem behaviour in children and adolescents.
Child Behaviour Check Lists (CBCL) is a widely used questionnaire to assess behavioral and emotional problems including ADHD, ODD, anxiety and depression.
Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2) provides evaluators with an efficient method of systematically gathering and organising the information needed to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, adolescents, and adults.
Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS-3) assists teachers, parents, and clinicians in identifying autism in individuals and estimating its severity.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) allows clinicians to accurately assess and diagnose autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) across age, developmental level, and language skills.
Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) assesses psychopathological syndromes and provides information relevant for clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, and screening for psychopathology.
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition is the leading instrument for supporting the diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Addresses the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and ADHD.
How long does psychological assessment take?
Each psychometric assessment requires 2 to 3 hours of testing onsite with a clinician.
Formal assessment tools such as WAIS-IV and WISC-V require considerable testing, score interpretation, report preparation, and interviews.
Dune Health and Wellbeing has dedicated assessment appointments and can accomodate evening and weekend appointments (on request). This allows us to accomodate client assessment with minimal delay.
How much do psychological assessments and reports costs?
Psychological Assessment and Reporting
The cost of psychometric assessment varies depending on the time required for assessment and report preparation. For example, the assessment of ADHD usually requires 1 psychometric assessment and take-home questionnaires. The assessment of ASD or intellectual concerns often requires 2 or more psychometric assessments and take-home questionnaires.
As a guide, in general, our prices are as follows:
1 psychometric assessment (e.g., WISC) + take-home questionnaires + comprehensive report = $1,900
2 psychometric assessments (e.g., WISC & WIAT) + take-home questionnaires +comprehensive report = $2,650
3 psychometrics assessments (e.g., WISC & WIAT & ADOS) + take-home questionnaires + comprehensive report = $3,250
We require a $1000 deposit at the time of booking an initial assessment interview and the remainder before the report is released.
Our assessment process is comprehensive, rigorous and thorough. To do so our assessment process usually includes:
An initial consultation of 80 minutes to assess the concerns to be assessed and the psychometric tests needed for reporting.
Interviews with relevant sources (e.g., teachers, employers, caregivers, case workers, etc.). Such interviews are usually 30 minutes each (but may sometimes be longer). For instance, two interviews with relevant sources can be conducted within an hour.
Comprehensive assessments (i.e., WAIS, WISC, WIAT, WMS etc.) usually require 2 to 3 hours of testing onsite.
Assessment interpretation can take up to 2 hours for each assessment.
Most reports produced by our team are 2 to 5 pages in length. We charge $50 per page for our reports.
Clients are invited to attend a feedback session of 50 minutes to review the findings of the report and discuss recommendations. This can be done over the phone/telehealth.
As an example**, testing using the WISC and WIAT for a child assessment could include:
An initial 80 minute consultation
Two 30 minute interviews with a teacher and another caregiver
2 hours of WISC testing and 2 hours of WIAT testing
4 hours of assessment interpretation
$50 per page of the report
50 minute feedback appointment
Other assessments (e.g., university, vocational, immigration, court, NDIS applications / reviews and other reports) are charged at our initial consultation rates for an 80-minute appointment or 50-minute apppointment. Reports for these assessments cost $50 per page. Contact us to inquire.
Fees for an initial assessment consultation must be paid in full at the time of booking.
GST is included in all assessment fees.
See more on assessment costs on our Pricing & Payment page.