Things to know about tests and assessments

Psychologists often undertake psychological testing of individuals, groups or organisations that can provide valuable information about their perceptions, thoughts, and feelings, or their cognitive functioning, such as memory and learning.

This article outlines what to expect if you proceed with an assessment at Quirky Kid. It is important you review this content in full to ensure your expectations are well-managed prior to confirming your decision to proceed with testing.

What kinds of assessments do you offer?

Below is a list of some of the assessments we offer at Quirky Kid. Please click on the following links to read more on our website:

Educational assessment;
Cognitive assessment;
Behavioural assessment or
Autism Spectrum (ASD) assessment, for example.

What is the assessment process like?

The assessment process can differ from child to child, but it typically involves the following:

Parent interviews and school interviews, social observation and standardised testing with the child;
The gathering of all necessary information by direct interviews, reviews of previous assessments, and consulting with manuals, articles and peers;
The scoring and interpretation of test results and other available information;
The compilation of results in a detailed psychological report. Reports typically include a summary of background information, medical history, clinical observations, test results and recommendations;
The report is provided to parents/carers, and a feedback session with the psychologist is arranged to discuss findings and make any necessary corrections (the assessment results and the psychologist's interpretation of results cannot be changed), such as any errors or omissions.

The psychologist's recommended assessments are only valid for up to 25 days after the initial parent and child sessions have been completed. After this point, you may need to attend another parent session to confirm if the assessments are still relevant.

How much does it cost?

The assessment cost is calculated based on psychologist and administration time and will vary depending on your unique requirements, case complexities and other information that may arise only during the testing process.

You should review our Schedule of Fees page for a general explanation of our fees and charges.

We are only able to provide you with an estimate, rather than a fixed quote, for each assessment. You will be required to pay the estimated cost of the upfront. However, in general, assessment fees always include the following:

The fees for forms, stationery, postage and psychologist time;
One printed copy of the report;
One 30-minute feedback session (depending on assessment type);

We will update you as soon as possible if we foresee any changes to the estimated cost being needed.

Important:

We do not provide digital copies of psychological reports to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Any additional copies requested (for other parents, teachers, or lawyers, for example) will incur a charge in accordance with our Schedule of Fees.

Only the parent who completed the Quirky Kid intake form receives one (1) copy of the report.

Managing Expectations around outcomes or clinical diagnosis

Psychologists are trained to assess and diagnose problems in people’s thinking, emotions, and behaviour. Diagnosis is the process of identifying a specific type of problem by examining its features, both those common with similar problems and those unique to this particular presentation. It also requires consideration of the circumstances in which the problem is occurring.

Diagnosing mental health conditions is usually performed within a diagnostic framework, particularly those provided by classification systems such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), or International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Edition (ICD-10).

Most psychologists use standardised instruments to make a diagnosis. Such instruments have strict protocols that limit what a psychologist can consider when making a decision.

It's important to note that only some assessments lead to a diagnosis, and some clients may need to be re-assessed overtime before a diagnosis can be confirmed. Additionally, when it comes to cognitive assessments, such as IQ tests, outcomes may not always align with parents' expectations, as a child's performance and outcome cannot be predicted before the test is completed.

Overall, psychologists strive to provide accurate and thorough evaluations to help their clients understand and address any issues affecting their mental health.

How long until I receive the report?

80% of reports are finalised within 17 business days after all testing is completed.

NOTE:

Please note that around 20% of reports can be delayed and take up to 30 days to be finalised. This can be due to the complexity of the outcomes or other unforeseen circumstances, such as crisis intervention requiring the attention of your psychologist.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions! You can read more about assessments on our website or call us at 9362 9297.