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We know how daunting it can be when your child is struggling but you aren’t sure why or how to help. An assessment can be an important first step in understanding their needs and finding the right supports.

Learning Links’ psychologists and speech pathologists provide a wide range of high-quality assessments at our learning centres across Sydney, and in schools, to diagnose and evaluate children’s learning, social and wellbeing needs. By evaluating and understanding where a child has challenges, we can provide tailored recommendations, interventions and therapies, positive coping strategies, reduce the child’s stress and enrich their competence and wellbeing.

Tailored Recommendations and Strategies For Your Child

We understand that every child is different with their own strengths and challenges. That’s why it’s best to discuss your concerns with our team so we can determine the most suitable assessment option for your child. 

After every assessment, a comprehensive written report will be provided and discussed with you within four weeks, outlining the results and recommendations to best help your child. You can share results and recommendations with your child’s teachers and other professionals so that appropriate strategies can be used to support your child to reach their goals and thrive.

Our Range of Psychological Assessments

Cognitive Assessment

$1,050*

A cognitive assessment, also known as an IQ test or psychometric assessment, helps to identify a child’s potential for learning and their preferred learning style. Cognitive assessments help psychologists to determine a child’s strengths and weaknesses in several cognitive skill areas including verbal comprehension, visuospatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed.

How can a cognitive assessment help?

Cognitive assessments can be performed to help with the following:

  • Contribute to the diagnosis of learning difficulties or disabilities in children to develop a tailored learning plan and provide recommendations for classroom accommodations
  • Evaluating a child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses to ascertain how a child learns
  • Determining the severity and impact of intellectual disability on a child’s learning and provide practical strategies to support them in the classroom
  • Providing information to assist with school or government funding applications, teaching support and special provisions 
  • Identifying intellectual giftedness

Learning Links’ psychologists use a range of assessment tools to evaluate a child’s strengths and needs. The most common tools used in cognitive assessments include: 

  • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V)
  • Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV)
  • Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS- IV)
  • Standford Binet-5 (SB-5)

*A refundable 50% deposit is required to secure an assessment booking, however this may be reduced to assist families who are facing financial pressures. Please speak to our Intake team to discuss your situation and our booking policy in more detail.

Educational Assessment

$1,050*

An educational assessment, also known as an academic assessment, measures how a child is performing in a range of academic skill areas and how this compares with their peers and age expectations.  

Educational assessments help psychologists to identify a child’s strengths and skill levels in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics and written expression. 

How can an educational assessment help? 

Educational assessments can be conducted to help with the following: 

  • Identifying a child’s level of academic skill in specific areas 
  • Diagnosis of a specific learning disorder such as Dyslexia or Dyscalculia
  • Developing strategies and classroom accommodations to support specific learning strengths and difficulties 
  • Informing the development of an Individualised Learning Plan 

Learning Links’ psychologists use a range of assessment tools to evaluate a child’s strengths and needs. The most common tools used in educational assessments include: 

  • Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III)

*A refundable 50% deposit is required to secure an assessment booking, however this may be reduced to assist families who are facing financial pressures. Please speak to our Intake team to discuss your situation and our booking policy in more detail.

Behavioural Assessment

$1,050*

A behavioural assessment involves a combination of parent and teacher interviews, observations, questionnaires and use of different assessment tools. The comprehensive assessment helps you understand the behaviours and emotions of children and adolescents e.g. aggression, anxiety, social skills, self-esteem etc. 

How can a behavioural assessment help?

Behavioural assessments can be conducted to help with the following: 

  • Identifying challenging behaviours that are developmentally inappropriate for the child’s age
  • Aiding the diagnosis of behavioural disorders such as ADHD, ODD or Conduct Disorder 
  • Evaluating the of effectiveness of behavioural interventions

Learning Links’ psychologists use a range of assessment tools to evaluate a child’s behaviours. The most common tools used in behavioural assessments include:

  • Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3)

*A refundable 50% deposit is required to secure an assessment booking, however this may be reduced to assist families who are facing financial pressures. Please speak to our Intake team to discuss your situation and our booking policy in more detail.

ADHD Assessment

$1920*

An ADHD assessment is a comprehensive evaluation using multiple testing tools and observation methods to identify whether your child may present with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The ADHD assessment involves interviews, observation, cognitive assessment, and feedback from teachers, carers and others who regularly interact with your child. ADHD assessments aim to evaluate challenging behaviour in children and adolescents, particularly in the areas of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. 

Learning Links’ psychologists analyse the results to determine whether a child’s behaviour meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).

*A refundable 50% deposit is required to secure an assessment booking, however this may be reduced to assist families who are facing financial pressures. Please speak to our Intake team to discuss your situation and our booking policy in more detail.

** If a cognitive assessment has previously been completed, the ADHD assessment price may be reduced to $1,050.

Autism Assessment

Two Sessions | $2150*

The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) requires a comprehensive psychological assessment using a range of observation and interview methods and assessment tools. The autism assessment takes place over two sessions. One session is a structured interview with the parent or carer and the other is a play-based observation of the child.

A cognitive assessment may also need to be completed if one has not been completed recently or you require an understanding of ASD level as part of your child’s diagnosis. This is an additional fee of $870.

How can an Autism assessment help?

Autism assessments can help with:

  • Identifying a child’s unique behaviours, interests and social and communication difficulties
  • Developing a tailored management and learning support plan with recommendations for appropriate interventions and accommodations
  • Assisting with applications for school and government funding and access to a specialised support teacher

Learning Links’ psychologists use the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), an accredited play-based autism assessment tool, to observe children’s play, communication and social interaction. We also use the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) to conduct the parent interview.

*A refundable 50% deposit is required to secure an assessment booking, however this may be reduced to assist families who are facing financial pressures. Please speak to our Intake team to discuss your situation and our booking policy in more detail.

Dyscalculia Assessment

$1920*

A diagnosis of Dyscalculia requires a combination of psychological assessments to determine if a child’s difficulties are primarily in the area of mathematics. A comprehensive Dyscalculia assessment involves both a cognitive and educational assessment to evaluate a child’s strengths and weaknesses across all cognitive and academic areas as well as interviews with family members. 

Please note, to undertake a Dyscalculia assessment, it is a prerequisite that your child has received targeted intervention for their maths difficulties, such as an in-school numeracy program or out-of-school tutoring, and that their difficulties have been present for at least six months.

*A refundable 50% deposit is required to secure an assessment booking, however this may be reduced to assist families who are facing financial pressures. Please speak to our Intake team to discuss your situation and our booking policy in more detail.

Dyslexia Assessment

$1920*

A Dyslexia assessment includes a combination of cognitive and educational assessments and interviews. This comprehensive assessment evaluates a child’s strengths and weaknesses across all cognitive and academic areas to identify if a child’s difficulties are primarily in the areas of reading and spelling. 

Please note, to undertake a Dyslexia assessment, it is a prerequisite that your child has received targeted intervention for their reading difficulties, such as an in-school literacy program or out-of-school tutoring, and that their difficulties have been present for at least six months.

*A refundable 50% deposit is required to secure an assessment booking, however this may be reduced to assist families who are facing financial pressures. Please speak to our Intake team to discuss your situation and our booking policy in more detail.

Our Speech and Language Assessments

Speech Screeners

Free of charge

A speech and language screener is a short assessment that offers a quick and effective way of identifying whether a child’s communication development is on track or if they may need additional support. Screeners are suitable for children aged 4-6 years 

During the assessment your child will be asked to complete a few different activities depending on the areas of concern. 

After completing the screener, you will be provided with feedback on the spot or the following day along with a one-page report. If your child needs additional support with their speech and language development, you will be referred for further assessment or a block of speech therapy.

Free speech and language screeners are subject to availability. At times, our speech pathologists may be able to arrange a visit to an early childhood centre or service to assess a group of children.

Standard Communication Assessment

$450 | 1.5 hours

A speech and language assessment involves a combination of interviews, observations and activities to evaluate a child’s communication and play skills. 

How can a speech and language assessment help?

Our speech pathologists collect speech and language samples through activities to:

  • Identify concerns with pronouncing sounds and stuttering
  • Develop a tailored therapy program to suit your child’s needs

Our standard assessment is suitable for:

  • preschool-aged children with communication difficulties and difficulties interacting directly with the therapist
  • school-aged children who have difficulties with stuttering only or with speech sounds only. 

Our speech pathologists may use tools such as the Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language (REEL) interview tool as part of the assessment.

Extended Communication Assessment

$650 | 2 hours

An extended communication assessment involves a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s speech and language skills, developmental history, interviews, observation and standardised testing. 

How can an extended communication assessment help?

Our speech pathologists use play-based activities, pictures and reading to:

  • Identify concerns with speech sounds, stuttering and understanding and using language
  • Examine your child’s ability to follow directions and ask questions
  • Develop a tailored therapy program to suit your child’s needs

Our extended assessment is suitable for:

  • preschool-aged children with communication difficulties and who can interact with the therapist
  • school-aged children who have difficulties with language skills or with two or more areas of communication

Our speech pathologists use standardised assessment tools to evaluate your child’s communication development, including: 

  • Preschool Language Scales (PLS-5)
  • Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals – Preschool (CELF-P3) 
  • Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-5)
Teacher working with young student at desk

Referrals

Schools, general practitioners and paediatricians often refer children and adolescents to Learning Links for assessments to help identify their needs. If you’re working with a child who may need further assessment, submit our referral form and our friendly team will be in touch to discuss the best option.

Please note, parent consent is required to submit a referral.

School Referrals

Frequently Asked Questions About Assessments

Why might my child need a psychology assessment?

Children can be referred for a psychology assessment for a variety of reasons. Among other things, they may be struggling academically, have attention or behaviour problems at home or in school, be depressed or anxious or have a learning disorder. Often when kids are struggling in school or seem to be behind their peers developmentally, a teacher or a counsellor will suggest the child undergo a psychological assessment.

By evaluating and understanding where the child has challenges, psychologists can provide positive coping strategies and strategies to reduce the child’s stress and enrich their competence and wellbeing.

What happens during a psychology assessment?

During an assessment, our psychologists will:

  • Interview (talk with) yourself, your child and other relevant family members to learn more about their early development, learning at school, strengths and weaknesses as well as their emotional and behavioural skills. In some cases, they may also speak with your child’s teacher/s and others who know them well.
  • Observe your child during the evaluation and gather information from teachers
  • Complete a standardised assessment with your child to assess a range of abilities and functions such as behaviour, working memory, problem solving skills, reading, writing and maths. Many people have taken these tests, which allows our professionals to compare your child’s results with others.
  • If necessary, our professionals will also evaluate medical records, school records and other professional records about your child.

By putting all this information together, our psychologists can identify where your child needs support and can develop strategies and recommendations to help your child reach their full potential.

What happens after an assessment?

Once the assessment is complete and the report has been finalised, our professionals will discuss the results with you over the phone and then mail the full assessment to you. 

The outcomes of the assessment help to determine your child’s “present functioning level”, in their school and home environments, how they learn and their strengths and weaknesses. They do not reveal all of your child’s potential, abilities or skills. 

Our psychologists work with you to identify opportunities for your child to improve in the areas that need to be addressed. If your child is diagnosed with a learning disability or a behavioural or emotional issue, recommendations will be made on how you can best help your child manage their specific concerns.

When will I receive the results of the assessment?

Assessment reports are completed within 4 weeks of the session, provided all the required paperwork has been completed and returned to the psychologist. In the event that a report is expected to take longer, you will be advised when booking.

Other Learning Links Services

We work closely with children and families to truly understand your unique situation and offer personalised and evidence-based therapies to support positive change.

Find Out More About Psychology
Psychologist sitting with child looking at pictures of emotions

We use fun and interactive strategies to meaningfully engage your child to build their speech, language and literacy skills, and the confidence to communicate and interact with others.

Find Out More About Speech Therapy
Speech pathologist playing game with young girl at table

Our tutoring program is tailored to the individual needs and learning style of your child, so we can focus on filling the gaps in their learning to help them build skills, motivation and confidence.

Find Out More About Specialist Tutoring
Teacher working with student to make words with letter cards