Preparing your Child for their Assessment

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Our Assessment

Raise the Bar’s educational and neurodevelopmental assessments are able to explore a broad range of learning, developmental, and mental health concerns. This allows for a thorough understanding of an individual’s strengths, differences, and difficulties, as well as identification of the most appropriate supports that are needed moving forward. 

Raise the Bar’s assessments are tailored to each individual and when appropriate provide formal diagnoses. 

At Raise the Bar Psychology, we recognise the importance of early identification and intervention to support children, adolescents and adults with a range of learning and developmental differences. All our assessments are collaborative, strength-based, and comprehensive.

Preparing for assessment

The Admin

  • Complete background information and consent form
  • Complete the payment details form
  • Pay deposit
  • Email copies of any previous assessments to [email protected]
  • Email copies of recent school reports to [email protected]
  • Email teacher background form to child’s regular classroom teacher, or teacher that knows your child best (school-aged only)

Please note: payment of the deposit is needed to confirm your booking.

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Preparing Your Child

  • Allow plenty of time to arrive. We find that children are calmer when than they have 5 to 10 minutes in the waiting room to settle any nerves.
  • Pack a drink bottle and a small snack
  • Encourage your child to bring something of interest to show the psychologist and help develop rapport
  • Show your child a photo of their psychologist (available on the Team Page) and photos of the clinic (available in our social story here)
  • Take time to talk to your child about the assessment, what to expect, why it is happening, what you hope to get out of it, and how long it will take.

Assessment Process

We often get asked about our assessment process. Whilst each assessment is unique and tailored to the individual, we generally follow a typical process of intake, assessment sessions, consultation, report writing and feedback. Our feedback sessions are generally booked 4 weeks after the last assessment session to allow enough time for our psychologists to consult with others and write a comprehensive report.

At times, particularly for younger children, a school visit and observation is required as part of the assessment. This would be at an additional cost. Should the need for this be indicated your psychologist will discuss this with you and the reasons for it.

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What happens next? Ongoing support

We love when our clients stay connected. Here’s a list of services that you may find helpful at the conclusion of your assessment.

  • Feedback session with child. These sessions are used to teach the young person about their brain, discuss strengths, differences and challenges, and strategies that can help.
  • Feedback session with school/support team.
  • Parent sessions to help understand your child’s neurodivergence, child rights, and for support to navigate complex NDIS and education systems.
  • Counselling
  • Executive functioning, memory and study skills interventions
  • Raise the Bar Psychology’s “Now what” group information series which offers clients and families an opportunity to receive key information about important next steps following their own or their child’s diagnosis.

Assessment Process

Step 1

Booking & Consent

Share your concerns, goals, and needs so that we can match you with the right psychologist and assessment.

Step 2

Clinical Intake

Meet with your psychologist to share background information. Your psychologist will explain the assessment process and what to expect.

Step 3

Assessment

Meet with your psychologist at the clinic. The number of visits depends on the needs of the client and is usually 1 to 3 visits. Ask questions and receive feedback as you go.

Step 4

Feedback

Receive a clear and simple explanation of test results. Ask questions. Plan a clear path forward. A comprehensive and personalised report is provided.

Step 5

Post-Assessment Support

We offer child friendly feedback sessions, school consultation, counselling, and parent support. Many families return to monitor progress and to review recommendations in preparation for important transitions (i.e. starting primary, secondary, or tertiary education).

We’re here to help you identify the most appropriate assessment pathway and to help you through the process and beyond - because everyone deserves a chance to thrive.

We’d love to support you; whether you have a few questions or concerns, want to know your options, or are looking for the best provider for you, book a call with us today.