We provide assessments for:Young childrenSchool-aged childrenAdolescentsAdultsPeople may seek an assessment for many reasons, including questions about development, learning, attention, communication or neurodivergence, clarification of lifelong experiences, or to better understand support needs at school, work, home or in the community.

No. You can contact Brain Sprout Clinic directly to request an assessment without a referral. A referral may be required if you wish to access a Medicare rebate. Eligibility depends on the assessment being completed, your individual circumstances and the applicable Medicare requirements.If you are considering using Medicare, we recommend discussing your eligibility with your GP, paediatrician, psychiatrist or other relevant medical practitioner before commencing your assessment.

Assessments can be completed in a range of settings depending on the person's age, needs and the type of assessment being completed.This may include:your homeyour child's schoola community location close to youTelehealth for suitable components of an assessment.We will work with you to determine an appropriate setting for your assessment.

Many people feel more comfortable and are better able to show their authentic selves in familiar environments.Completing assessments in everyday settings can provide valuable information about how an individual communicates, learns, interacts, and functions in real-life situations.Where clinically appropriate, our flexible assessment model allows us to bring the assessment to the person rather than requiring the person to fit into a traditional clinic environment.

Some appointments and assessment components can be completed by Telehealth, depending on the type of assessment and your individual circumstances.Other components may need to be completed in person to ensure assessment measures are administered appropriately. We will discuss the available options with you when planning your assessment.

The time required depends on the type of assessment and the individual.Many diagnostic assessments involve approximately 3 to 4 hours of direct assessment and interview time, although this may be shorter or longer depending on individual needs.Assessment appointments can often be completed in one day with breaks or spread across multiple appointments.Additional clinical work is completed outside appointments, including reviewing information, scoring and interpreting assessment measures, consultation and preparing the written report.

Every assessment looks a little different.Depending on the person's age and the questions being explored, an assessment may involve talking, play-based activities, puzzles, questions, reading or writing activities, problem-solving tasks, questionnaires and other structured assessment activities.We may also speak with parents, caregivers, partners, teachers or other people who know the person well.There are no particular behaviours we expect you or your child to demonstrate. Our aim is to create an environment where each person can participate as comfortably and authentically as possible.

Yes. Breaks are welcome at any time. Assessments can also be completed across multiple appointments where this is more comfortable or appropriate.We encourage you to let us know about any sensory, communication, accessibility or other needs that may help you participate comfortably in the assessment.

You do not need to bring anything special unless we have asked you to.If available, previous assessment reports, school reports, medical information or other relevant documents can be helpful. These can usually be provided before the appointment.You are welcome to bring anything that helps you or your child feel comfortable, including:Food and drinksComfort itemsSensory supportsCommunication devicesFavourite activities or objectsPlease let us know if there are any adjustments that would support participation.

Yes. Following assessment and feedback, you will receive a comprehensive written report. Reports include assessment findings, clinical interpretation, strengths, support needs, and recommendations.You will recieve this report within four weeks.

An assessment can still provide valuable information even when diagnostic criteria are not met.The assessment may help identify strengths, areas of difficulty, learning or communication differences, support needs, or other factors that may better explain a person's experiences.Where appropriate, we will discuss recommendations, other possible explanations and whether further assessment or support may be helpful.

Your report will explain the assessment findings and provide recommendations based on your individual circumstances.You may choose to share your report with relevant health professionals, schools, workplaces or support providers. Depending on the findings, next steps might include discussing treatment with your GP or specialist, accessing allied health or other supports, requesting adjustments at school or work, or exploring relevant funding and services.Your clinician will discuss recommended next steps with you as part of the assessment process.

No. We prepare reports based on the assessment findings, available information and relevant professional requirements.Eligibility for funding, services, educational adjustments or other supports is determined by the relevant organisation. We cannot guarantee that an assessment or report will result in a particular funding or service outcome.

Brain Sprout Clinic is an assessment-focused, multidisciplinary practice providing psychology, speech pathology and social work perspectives.Our assessments are neuroaffirming, collaborative and responsive to the individual. We consider standardised assessment results alongside developmental history, lived experience, observations and information from people who know the individual well.We also provide assessments outside traditional clinic environments where clinically appropriate, allowing people to participate in settings where they may feel more comfortable and able to be themselves.