Accepting referrals for Northern Rivers, Southern Highlands, Canberra and regions
Assessment services
Karen is able to undertake assessments for Autism, ADHD, intellectual disability/intellectual developmental disorder, and specific learning disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia) for people of all ages from young children to adults.
Neuropsychological assessments are also available for children and adolescents to assist in understanding strengths and differences in cognitive functioning (thinking skills such as attention, working memory, long term memory and executive functions like problem solving, impulse control, organisation) that may be associated with genetic or chromosomal conditions, differences in brain development or other neurological (brain) conditions.
Karen is also able to conduct assessments for children and adolescents to consider giftedness, renew or revise NDIS plans, or for guardianship applications.
Depending on the assessment, outcome and needs, the reports from assessments can be developed to inform of school needs, accommodations and adjustments, apply for supports and services (including NDIS), outline intervention and support needs, and to inform other health providers of conditions and needs.
ASSESSMENT APPROACH
All assessments are individually tailored. Assessments may be sought to explore specific conditions, a range of conditions, or as part of the process to try to understand if there are any underlying conditions that may be impacting a child or adolescent's development or behaviours.
All assessments include interviews with family members, and direct assessment with the individual. They may also include school observations, questionnaires completed by family members and teachers, conversations with and reviewing any reports/documents from teachers and other health providers.
LOCATION
Karen conducts assessments in the Northern Rivers, Southern Highlands, Canberra and regions.
Face to face assessments can be conducted at schools, homes or in one of the professional rooms Karen works from (specific location can be negotiated). Family interviews can occur either online or at a convenient location.
FEES
Fees vary based on the assessment needs.
During the initial appointment, an assessment plan is made collaboratively and a quote for the full assessment will be provided. The fee for the initial appointment including time to review some initial background information and administration is $285.
The total assessment costs are based on the materials required and the hours required to undertake all components of the assessment, a comprehensive report and a feedback session. The hourly rate is currently $230 which is substantially lower than the Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended rate. (Note fees for assessments paid directly by NDIS are based on NDIS Psychologist rates).
As a rough guide, a basic assessment (e.g., giftedness) may be $1300-$1600; a standard cognitive assessment or for ADHD or a learning disorder may be $2250-$2800. An autism assessment may be $2600-$3000. A combined autism and ADHD may be approximately $3250. Note these prices are indicative.
A payment schedule can be negotiated.
