Screen for autism, ADHD and Specific Learning Disorders in Warners Bay
If you’re struggling to understand social, emotional, cognitive or behavioural challenges—whether for yourself or someone you care about—a psychological assessment can help make sense of it all.
Our AHPRA-registered psychologist, Elysia Sproule, performs psychological assessments for all ages in Warners Bay. These neurodevelopmental tests can screen for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Specific Learning Disorders like dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Always taking a compassionate and collaborative approach, Elysia uses evidence-based tools to evaluate how someone thinks, learns, and manages daily life. Guide your next steps with clear, actionable and reassuring insights.
Identify neurodevelopmental disorders early and foster a happier, healthier future for your child
Concerned about your child’s development, learning, or behaviour? A psychological assessment can help build a clear picture of their mental functioning—and get the right interventions in place as soon as possible.
Nurture well-being from an early age with an accurate neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Drawing on over eight years of experience, Elysia performs in-depth child psychology assessments in a calm and comfortable space.
She will work closely with you and your family, taking the time to understand your child’s challenges and support their unique way of experiencing the world.
A smooth path to feeling better starts with a psychological assessment
Whether you need to shed light on a learning difficulty, explore behavioural issues or formalise an ADHD or ASD diagnosis, our professional recommendations can help you move forward.
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ASD assessments
ASD affects how a person experiences social interaction, communication, and everyday environments.
If you or a loved one processes the world a little differently—especially when connecting with others, handling change, or responding to sensory input—a psychological assessment can provide clarity and direction.
An ASD diagnosis can pave the way for personalised supports that make day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable—whether it’s navigating school, work, relationships, or routines.
Elysia is skilled in using screening tools like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), and Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS) to help determine where someone stands on the spectrum.
ASD manifests in many ways, with diverse symptoms including:
- Difficulty reading social cues and building relationships
- Repetitive or self-stimulatory ‘stimming’ behaviours
- Restricted interests and detail-oriented thinking
- Sensitivity to sensory input like sounds, lights or textures
- Finding it hard to adapt to changes in routine
- Language delays, limited speech, or phrase repetition (echolalia)
ADHD assessment
ADHD impacts focus, self-regulation, and impulse control, often disrupting school, work, and daily tasks.
If you notice difficulty concentrating, managing time, or staying organised, an ADHD assessment can pinpoint the underlying condition and how best to manage it.
Using psychological screening tests like the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) and Conners 4 for children, Elysia builds a deep understanding of how attention and behavioural patterns play out in day-to-day life. These ADHD assessments review symptoms, medical history, and, where appropriate, feedback from teachers, caregivers, or partners.
A formal diagnosis can open the door to helpful strategies for ADHD management—including counselling, medication, and lifestyle changes. Take the next step towards a more peaceful and productive life.
ADHD presents differently from person to person, but certain patterns tend to show up in daily life:
- Difficulty staying focused and avoiding distractions
- Starting tasks but not finishing them
- Acting impulsively and interrupting others
- Poor organisation and time management
- Forgetting plans, responsibilities, or instructions
- Regularly losing everyday items
- Restlessness or constant movement
Tests for cognitive and learning difficulties
If you or your child finds it difficult to keep up with learning, remember details, or solve problems, a cognitive assessment can help identify why.
These tests look at how the brain processes information, revealing individual thinking styles and challenges that may need extra support.
Get the professional insights and practical support needed to thrive in school, work, and everyday life. Elysia uses structured tests like the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) to evaluate core cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning, attention, and verbal skills.
Grappling with reading, writing, or maths? The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT) helps to diagnose Specific Learning Disorders like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
Cognitive assessments provide valuable insights for people experiencing Specific Learning Disorders, such as:
- Dyslexia – Challenges in reading, spelling, and writing
- Dyscalculia – Struggles with mathematical concepts and calculations
- Dysgraphia – Difficulty writing and putting thoughts onto paper
Adaptive behaviour assessments
Some people struggle with everyday tasks like communication, self-care, and social skills. Our adaptive behaviour assessments go beyond academic abilities, helping to show how someone functions in real-life situations at home, school, or in the community.
Elysia uses the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (Vineland-3) to gather input from parents or carers about daily living skills, communication, problem-solving, and social development.
This assessment tool not only helps identify conditions like ASD and developmental delays—it also paints a clear picture of how someone deals with daily life and where a little extra support could make a big difference.
An adaptive behaviour assessment looks at the everyday skills needed to function independently at home and in the community, including:
Meet our registered psychologists
We’re passionate about helping you better understand and manage your mental health.
Rachel Robbins
Registered Psychologist
Elysia Sproule
Registered PsychologistFrequently Asked Questions
Have questions about your next visit? We have you covered!
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What is a psychological assessment?
A psychological assessment is a structured evaluation used to better understand a person’s mental health, behaviour, emotional well-being, and cognitive functioning. More specifically, a neurodevelopmental assessment helps uncover conditions such as ASD, ADHD, and learning difficulties at an early age.
It often includes interviews, standardised tests, and observations to identify challenges, make diagnoses, and guide treatment. It can also be used to support referrals for additional services or to strengthen applications for school, workplace, or healthcare support.
To learn more, get in touch with our friendly team in Warner’s Bay today.
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What tests do psychologists use?
Our psychologist uses a variety of standardised tests to assess behaviour, learning, cognitive ability, and daily functioning. These tools include:
- Autism assessments like the Autism Diagnostic
- Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2),
- Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and
- Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS)
- ADHD screeners, such as Conners 4 and Conners’
- Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)
- Cognitive tests, including the Wechsler Preschool &
- Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), Wechsler
- Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
- The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT) is used to measure reading, writing, math, and oral language skills
- The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales are used to evaluate everyday skills like communication, social interaction, and self-care
To book a psychological assessment in Warners Bay, contact our team today.
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How do I prepare my child for a psychological assessment?
For your child, the unknown can be the hardest part, so keep the explanation simple and positive. Let them know they’ll be doing some tasks and answering questions to help us learn more about how their brain works. Reassure them that it’s not an exam and there are no wrong answers.
At Chiropractic Plus, we aim to create a calm, supportive environment, and we’re happy to answer any questions you have before the appointment.
If your child needs any specific assistance or you’d like to bring a support person along, just let us know ahead of time so we can make things as comfortable as possible.
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What should I bring to a psychological assessment?
To help our psychologist form the full picture of your mental health, it’s a good idea to bring:
- Any relevant medical or educational documents (e.g. previous assessments, reports, or school records)
- A current list of any medications being taken
- Notes on any concerns, symptoms, or questions you’d like to discuss
If the assessment is for your child and they’re anxious about attending, you are welcome to bring something familiar and comforting, like their favourite toy, to help them feel more at ease.
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Does Medicare cover psychological assessments?
In some cases, yes. Through the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, Medicare provides rebates for certain psychological assessments when they’re part of a wider treatment plan.
To access this support, you’ll first need to see your GP or psychiatrist and receive either:
- A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP, or
- A Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan
With an MHCP in place, you may be able to claim a rebate for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year, which can include assessment as part of ongoing care.
If you’re unsure whether your assessment qualifies, it’s best to speak with your GP or give us a call — we’re happy to help guide you through the process.
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Can I get a rebate if I have private health insurance?
If your private health insurance includes ‘extras’ cover, you could be entitled to a rebate on psychology services, depending on your specific policy and provider.
Before making a claim, you may need to provide a few key details:
- A referral from your GP
- Your psychologist’s provider number for your fund
- A stamped receipt from your appointment
To avoid any surprises, we recommend contacting your health fund directly to confirm what’s covered before booking a psychological assessment.
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Do you provide psychological assessment reports?
Our psychologist in Warners Bay can provide psychological assessments and reports for certain conditions, including ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.
If appropriate to your situation, and with your written consent, these reports can be shared with third parties such as schools or healthcare providers.
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Are the results of a psychological assessment confidential?
At Chiropractic Plus, we understand that the information you share with our psychologist is deeply personal. That’s why we’re committed to maintaining strict confidentiality.
Everything discussed during your sessions — including assessments and case notes — is securely stored and not disclosed to anyone else without your consent unless required by law.
There are a few exceptions where confidentiality may be limited, particularly in situations involving safety concerns. Your psychologist will explain these circumstances at your initial appointment so you’re fully informed from the start.
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Are you able to prescribe medication?
No, a psychologist is not able to prescribe medications. If that is the option you are wanting, you will need to see a paediatrician (children) or psychiatrist (adults) once your assessment has been finalised.
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Do I need a referral from a paediatrician for an assessment?
No, you don’t not need a referral for assessments. You can make your booking now with Chiropractic Plus.
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Can I claim sessions with my private health fund or Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Yes, you can use either for the initial appointment, but not your assessments.
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Do you offer payment plans for assessments?
Yes, we offer flexible payment plans tailored to your needs. Please contact our clinic, and our team will walk you through the available options.
