Assessments for children and teens
Academic assessments for children and teens.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, or leave a message and we'll call you back.
We're away from the phones right now. Send an enquiry and we'll get back to you by the next business morning.
- Our psychologists assess and diagnose
- A written report and a feedback session
- Full cost confirmed before you book
Children can be assessed from age 4.
Is this assessment for your child?
A child’s learning isn’t just a grade or a NAPLAN band. We look at how they’re taught, their confidence and how the school day runs, so the results make sense in real life.
What it answers
- Where are your child’s reading, writing and maths skills now, and why?
- What else is part of the picture, such as attention, working memory, language, vision, hearing, sleep or anxiety about school?
- What are your child’s strengths, and which skills need support?
- What could help at school and at home?
Who it’s for
Common signs include:
- Trouble learning letters, sounds or phonics
- Slow, effortful reading
- Guessing words, skipping lines or losing their place
- Spelling errors that don’t match phonics rules
- Trouble understanding what they’ve read
- Writing that’s short, messy or hard to organise
- Slow handwriting or tiredness during writing
- Trouble with number facts and basic operations
- Word problems that are hard to break into steps
- Forgetting instructions or losing school items
- Avoidance, tummy aches or meltdowns after school
- Big effort, but grades don’t reflect the work
These are differences, not failings.
What you get, and what it takes.
The number of sessions depends on your child and what we need to understand. We’ll explain the plan before you start.
What it takes
- Intake session With parents or carers.
- Questionnaires And school input.
- Assessment sessions With breaks and play built in.
- School observation Optional, in the classroom or preschool, when helpful.
What you get
Feedback session
To go through the findings and next steps.
Your report
A written report with your child’s results and recommendations, in plain language. Reports take 4–6 weeks. It covers:
- A plain-language summary of your child’s learning profile, for home and school
- Their strengths and the skills that need support
- Recommendations for teachers and short routines for home
Follow up
To review progress and next steps.
Who does it
One of our psychologists. Qualified to assess and diagnose, they carry out your child’s assessment and write the report.
A clinical psychologist, a registered psychologist, or a provisional psychologist working under the supervision of a Board-approved supervisor. Our Client Care team will tell you who is doing your child’s assessment, and their registration type, before you book. All our psychologists are registered with Ahpra.
Cost
Fees depend on the type of assessment. We’ll confirm the full cost with you before you book.
Funding
What we assess, and tools we may use
What we assess
- Reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension
- Spelling and written expression
- Maths facts, calculation and problem solving
- Oral language that supports learning
- Phonological awareness and rapid naming
- Working memory and executive skills that affect the classroom
Tools we may use
- WIAT for achievement, and WRAT where appropriate
- WISC‑V for cognitive profile
- CTOPP‑2 and TOWRE‑2 for reading skills
- CELF if language concerns are present
- BRIEF‑2 for executive function
- Teacher consult, work samples and NAPLAN data, if available
If the results raise other questions
From the start, we look at what else could explain what you’re noticing, such as attention, working memory, language background, vision and hearing, sleep or anxiety about school. We do this first when we talk with you at intake, then throughout the assessment.
If the results raise other questions, your feedback session and report explain what we found and what could help next.
What the assessment does and doesn’t do
- It does look at what’s behind the difficulties you’ve noticed, and set out the findings and recommendations in the report.
- It doesn’t prescribe medication.
You can share the report with your GP or paediatrician if you choose.
Questions, answered.
Can’t see yours? Our Client Care team can help on 1300 151 110.
Why would I seek an academic assessment for my child?
Assessments can explain why a child may be falling behind, losing confidence, or finding school unusually difficult. They help identify specific learning difficulties, developmental patterns, or emotional factors that may be affecting progress.
What does the assessment process involve?
We use standardised tests that measure areas like memory, problem-solving, attention, literacy, and numeracy, alongside interviews and observations. We may also include questionnaires from parents and teachers to understand how your child functions in different settings, at home and at school.
How long does the assessment take?
The number of sessions depends on your child and what we need to understand. We’ll explain the plan before you start, so there’s time for history-taking, testing and gathering input from parents and teachers. Reports take 4–6 weeks.
What happens after the assessment?
You’ll receive a detailed written report that explains the findings clearly. We also meet with you to talk through the results, answer your questions, and provide practical recommendations for home and school.
Can Unbound Minds provide a formal diagnosis of learning disorders?
Yes. Our psychologists are qualified to diagnose specific learning disorders, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, when appropriate. A formal diagnosis can support access to tailored school accommodations, NDIS funding in some cases, and targeted intervention planning.
Start with a phone call.
Not sure whether your child needs an assessment or therapy? We’ll help you work out the right next step.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, or leave a message and we'll call you back.
We're away from the phones right now. Send an enquiry and we'll get back to you by the next business morning.
Whether you’re reaching out for yourself, your child or someone you care about, call us on 1300 151 110, or send an enquiry and we’ll get back to you by the next business morning.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, or leave a message and we'll call you back.
We're away from the phones right now. Send an enquiry and we'll get back to you by the next business morning.
Locations
Gledswood HillsLevel 2, 25/13 Digitaria Drive, Gledswood Hills. We call from (02) 8319 1945.
KingswoodLevel 3, 302/13 Barber Avenue, Kingswood. We call from (02) 8528 4620.
OnlineNew guides and articles
Occasional emails. Unsubscribe any time. We never share your details.
© 2026 Unbound Minds
In crisis? Call Lifeline 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.
Unbound Minds provides general mental health information and professional psychological services. This website is not a substitute for personalised advice, diagnosis or treatment.