Assessments for children and teens
Cognitive 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 cognitive assessment isn’t about one score. It sits in your child’s whole story, so the results make sense in daily life.
What it answers
- What are your child’s strengths and challenges in reasoning, memory, processing speed and attention?
- What else is part of the picture, such as language, motivation, mood, sensory needs, health or sleep?
- How well does the classroom fit how your child learns?
- What could help, from classroom adjustments to home strategies?
Who it’s for
Common signs include:
- Uneven skills across subjects or tasks
- Slow processing, or trouble keeping up in class
- Forgetting instructions or losing track mid-task
- Big effort, but grades don’t reflect the work
- Struggling to plan, organise or start tasks
- Trouble with problem solving or abstract ideas
- Meltdowns after school from mental fatigue
- Teacher concerns about attention or progress
- A history of early speech or language delays
- Possible giftedness or high potential needs
- Considering adjustments, funding or NDIS reports
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.
- Testing sessions With breaks built in.
- School observation Optional, in the classroom or preschool.
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 explanation of your child’s cognitive profile, for home and school
- Their strengths and challenges
- Classroom adjustments and home strategies
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
- Verbal and visual reasoning
- Working memory and processing speed
- Attention and executive skills
- Learning foundations that affect school
Tools we may use
- WISC‑V or WPPSI‑IV for cognitive profile
- RIAS‑2, KABC‑II or SB5, where suitable
- NEPSY‑II for attention and executive skills
- Raven’s Progressive Matrices, where helpful
- Teacher consult, work samples and NAPLAN data
If the results raise other questions
From the start, we look at what else could explain what you’re noticing, such as language, motivation, mood, sensory needs, health or sleep. 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 a cognitive assessment for my child?
These assessments help identify a child’s learning strengths and challenges. They can explain difficulties with schoolwork, highlight giftedness, or support applications for special provisions and educational planning.
What does the assessment process involve?
A cognitive assessment usually includes a standardised test such as the WISC-V, along with interviews and background information from parents and teachers. This combination helps build a clear picture of your child’s cognitive profile.
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 interviews, testing at your child’s pace, scoring and report preparation. Reports take 4–6 weeks.
What happens after the assessment?
You’ll receive a comprehensive written report outlining your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, along with recommendations for school supports and strategies at home. We also meet with you to explain the findings and answer your questions.
Can Unbound Minds provide a formal diagnosis based on a cognitive assessment?
Yes. When appropriate, our psychologists can diagnose conditions such as intellectual disability, and can identify giftedness, based on the results of cognitive testing. This can help guide school accommodations, NDIS access and 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.
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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.