Educational and Neurodevelopmental Assessments

Early Childhood Developmental Assessment Melbourne

Every child is unique. An Early Childhood Developmental Assessment lets us see how your child is growing across key areas and helps you get the supports they need early.

We do more than test – we listen, observe, and build a personalised report that connects your child’s strengths to practical recommendations.

To get started, simply complete our online booking form – no referral is needed, and no pressure is involved.

Once submitted, a member of our team will contact you to discuss your goals, explain the process, and address any questions you may have.

Early childhood assessments for children from age 2 are available at our Heatherton clinic. Our Clyde North, Moonee Ponds, and Sale clinics see children from age 4 and above.

How Can an Early Childhood Assessment Help

An assessment in early childhood can:

Detect developmental delays or differences early
Help with early intervention and more effective support
Guide your child’s therapy, education and daily routines
Provide solid evidence for NDIS, health or educational funding
Offer clarity on your child’s needs, strengths and next steps

Who Benefits From an Early Childhood Developmental Assessment

You may want an assessment if your child:

Is not meeting developmental milestones (speech, motor, social, cognition)
Has been referred or flagged by a paediatrician, early childhood educator or therapist
Has a known condition (e.g. genetic, neurological, chronic health) that may affect development
Requires evidence-based documentation for NDIS, Early Childhood Intervention or transition to primary school
Needs a detailed understanding of their development so you can build goals and supports

What our Assessment Includes

We tailor assessments to each child’s needs using a mix of:

Our Approach to Care

We strive to improve the wellbeing and educational outcomes of individuals who may think and process the world a little differently to their peers.

We improve outcomes for individuals with learning and developmental differences by supporting families and schools to nuture positive relationships, create neuroaffirming environments and provide effective educational adjustments.

Speech therapy assessments provide insight into receptive and expressive language development, communication preferences and needs, and literacy skills across reading and writing.

Early Childhood Developmental Assessment Process

Navigating early childhood assessments can feel daunting for families. Our Early Childhood Development Assessment is designed to make the process clear, supportive and empowering. From intake to final report, we combine in-depth observation, standardised testing and family input to build a complete picture of your child’s development.

You’re not just getting a report, you’re getting a trusted team who understands how to turn findings into meaningful next steps for your child’s growth and support.

Step 1 : Intake

We listen to your concerns, functional goals, and history to design a tailored assessment plan.

Step 2 : Assessment

Using gold-standard standardised tools, clinical observations, and structured interviews.

Step 3 : Report

Providing a comprehensive, evidence-based report with practical, tailored recommendations.

Step 4 : Feedback

A dedicated session to guide you through the results, next steps, and ongoing therapeutic support.

Step 5: Post-Assessment Supports

Our post-assessment sessions are designed to reduce overwhelm and help guide families and schools on important next steps post assessment.

Step 6: Ongoing Home & School Partnership

We love being able to continue supporting clients, families and schools through key milestones such as school transitions, and provide updated recommendations for educational adjustments and exam provisions throughout formal schooling and beyond.

Your Roadmap to Clarity

Early Childhood Developmental Assessment Packages

Because every milestone matters. You can choose from a variety of tailored developmental assessments designed to meet your family’s unique goals. Our focus is on providing early clarity—identifying your child’s strengths and any areas where they may need extra help—so you can access the right support at the right time.

For further information visit our Assessment Packages page.

Cost: $350 for initial session, $275 per subsequent session

1-3 x 50min sessions

Raise the Bar’s Preschool and Early Primary Developmental Assessment is a proactive pathway designed to identify emerging developmental, learning, or behavioural differences. By gaining early insights into your child’s unique profile, we can implement the right supports at the right time—ensuring they thrive during their crucial preschool and early primary school years.
This assessment serves as a vital first step for parents seeking guidance on their child’s development by providing:

Holistic Insight: A clear picture of how your child is functioning across both home and educational settings.
Shared Understanding: We bring parents, educators, and clinicians onto the same page, ensuring a consistent and supportive approach to care.
Immediate Strategies: Practical, evidence-based tools tailored for the home, kindergarten, or school environment.
A Clear Roadmap: Professional guidance on whether a formal diagnostic assessment is necessary, or if early intervention is currently the best path forward.

Cost: $2,575

Raise the Bar’s Standard Assessment Package is most appropriate for clients who have more specific assessment concerns or goals, or clients who have already had some testing completed.

Specific concerns or goals may include:

Intellectual Development Disorder
School readiness / preparedness / early entry
Giftedness / high cognitive or academic ability

Cost: $2,563

Raise the Bar’s Functional Capacity Assessment provides understanding regarding an individual’s unique strengths and support needs. Tailored to each individual, this assessment explores any/all of the following:

Cognitive: capacity for processing information, learning, remembering, and applying knowledge to complete everyday tasks and activities, including participation in education or employment
Communication: capacity for expressing oneself and understanding others, whether through speech, writing, or other method
Social: capacity for engaging in social activities and maintaining relationships
Emotional: capacity for managing and responding to one’s emotions that allows for effective functioning in daily life
Adaptive functioning: capacity to perform activities of daily living such as dressing, eating and acting safely, as well more complex tasks that support independent living, such as cooking, shopping, managing finances, and using public transportation

Cost: $3,455

(or $2,940 if a cognitive assessment has been completed previously)

Raise the Bar’s Autism Assessment is designed for individuals who experience some or all of the following:

Difficulty reading cues, maintaining eye contact, or building friendships.
High distress with change, a strict reliance on routines, or repetitive movements/speech.
Over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures or smells.
Intense, narrow fixations that dominate daily life.
Delayed speech, atypical language patterns, or difficulty with two-way conversation.
Persistent challenges managing school, work, or home life.

Book Your Assessment

A comprehensive assessment is the first step to getting the support you or your child needs to thrive.

We’re here to guide you through every phase of the process.