Assessments for children and teens
Behavioural 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
- Reports take 4 to 6 weeks
Is this assessment for your child?
Behaviour is communication. We don’t see a “naughty child”. We look at what the behaviour is doing for your child, the load they’re carrying and the settings that shape it.
What it answers
- What happens before the behaviour, what does it achieve and what follows?
- What else is part of the picture, such as language, learning, ADHD, autism or anxiety?
- What are your child’s strengths, and which skills could be built?
- What could help at home and in the classroom?
Who it’s for
Common signs include:
- Big feelings, meltdowns or shutdowns after school
- Aggression, hitting, kicking or throwing when overwhelmed
- Frequent oppositional or defiant behaviour at home or school
- Running off, bolting or unsafe risk-taking
- Trouble following instructions or routines
- Tantrums around transitions or unexpected change
- Attention, impulsivity or hyperactivity concerns
- Worry, separation distress or school refusal
- Sleep, feeding or toileting behaviours that affect family life
- Sensory seeking or avoiding in busy places
- Friendship strain from rough play or social misunderstandings
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 For home and school.
- Assessment sessions With breaks and play built in.
- School observation Optional, with a teacher consult.
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. Your report covers:
- A plain-language explanation of the patterns behind the behaviour, for home and school
- Your child’s strengths and the skills to build
- A behaviour support plan with steps for home and the classroom
Follow-up
An optional extra session, with its own fee, to review progress and next steps.
Who does it
One of our psychologists carries out your child’s assessment and writes 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.
Funding
What we assess, and tools we may use
What we assess
- Triggers, skills and functions of behaviour, using ABC analysis
- Emotion regulation, social skills and communication needs
- Executive skills like attention, memory and planning
- Sensory factors and daily routines that shape behaviour
- Strengths that can be used to build new skills
Tools we may use
- Parent and teacher questionnaires, such as BASC‑3 and SDQ
- Behaviour checklists like CBCL and Conners 4
- Executive function tools like BRIEF‑2
- Adaptive functioning, like Vineland‑3
- Social communication tools, such as SRS‑2, when relevant
- Functional interviews and behaviour logs
- Home or school observation, when helpful
If the results raise other questions
From the start, we look at what else could explain what you’re noticing, such as language, learning, ADHD, autism or anxiety. 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.
See what a report looks like.
A fictional sample, so you can see what you’ll receive before you book.
Questions, answered.
Can’t see yours? Our Client Care team can help on 1300 151 110.
Why would I seek a behavioural assessment for my child?
An assessment helps identify whether behaviours such as defiance, aggression, withdrawal, or difficulty regulating emotions are linked to developmental challenges, environmental stress, or underlying conditions such as ADHD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
What does the behavioural assessment process involve?
We gather information from parents, teachers, and the child themselves (where appropriate). This includes structured interviews, questionnaires, observations, and standardised tools to better understand the patterns, triggers, and impact of the behaviours.
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 to gather background information, carry out the assessment and prepare a detailed report. Reports take 4–6 weeks.
What happens after the assessment?
You’ll receive a detailed written report with clear explanations of the findings. We provide practical recommendations for home and school, and if necessary, referrals to additional supports such as therapy or allied health services.
What is the main outcome of a behavioural assessment at Unbound Minds?
The focus is on understanding why behaviours are happening and how they affect daily life. The assessment looks at triggers, strengths and areas for support, and your report sets out recommendations for parents and schools, rather than simply applying a label.
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.
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.
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Unbound Minds provides general mental health information and professional psychological services. This website is not a substitute for personalised advice, diagnosis or treatment.