Assessment Process
The assessment process may involve some or all of the following steps:
- Pre-assessment questionnaire
- Initial interview (developmental/biopsychosocial history/review of referral question/selection of assessment package)
- Review of collateral information (reports, assessments, letters)
- Psychometric test battery administration/testing sessions
- Behavioural observations
- Report preparation
- Feedback session
The initial interview (approximately one hour) will be scheduled first. If the referral question and/or history are complex, additional time may be needed to complete the initial interview. You will also be sent out a pre-assessment questionnaire to be completed prior to the initial interview. This is to gather background information on you (or your child).
After the initial interview and confirmation of the assessment required, a series of appointments will be scheduled. Depending on the test battery required, the psychometric testing can take place over several sittings (of approximately two hours each) across a number of weeks. Many of our psychometric tests are administered using iPads, or via an online function, which can be a fun approach to undergoing testing.
Observation sessions (approximately one hour) may also be scheduled around the time of testing if required. Charges for travel time will also apply.
The report is then prepared, which can take up to six weeks. Our reports are comprehensive and provide information on your history and background, assessment findings, diagnostic considerations (where relevant) and recommendations for further treatment/support. If appropriate, our reports can also be used to apply to the NDIS and other funding bodies.
Once the report is complete a feedback session will be scheduled. This session provides an overview of the assessment results, any relevant diagnostic considerations and an overview of the recommendations.
Overall, the full assessment process may take two to three months to complete.
Please ensure you arrive on-time to your scheduled appointments. If you arrive late and testing cannot be completed additional costs will be incurred because of the need to schedule additional appointments.
What happens after an assessment?
After the feedback session you will be provided with your assessment report, and may also be provided with additional resources and information, depending on the results of the assessment. If after the feedback session and reading the report you would like further support from TP Assessments, please reach out.
It may be that the results of an assessment point to the need for even further assessments of different types. For instance, you may need to undergo a functional capacity/adaptive functioning assessment following an academic/learning abilities assessment if you plan to apply for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Furthermore, even though it was thought a particular assessment would provide an explanation or diagnosis for a range of symptoms, this may not always be the case – symptoms can be explained by many different diagnoses. We will do our best to avoid such an outcome by carefully selecting the test battery.