Child Assessments

Understanding your child as a whole person

Assessment can bring together your child’s strengths, development, learning and everyday experiences to clarify the support that may help them thrive.

Understanding your child

Each child has their own strengths and difficulties, interests, and ways of learning. An assessment can help bring these different pieces together and develop a clearer understanding of your child as a whole person.

Designed around them

We take time to learn about your child before meeting them. This allows us to consider their communication preferences, sensory needs, interests, emotional wellbeing, and any adjustments that may help them participate comfortably.

Working together

We recognise that parents and caregivers know their child best and that children should have opportunities to contribute to the process in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful to them.

What does a child assessment involve?

Each assessment is different and will be planned according to your child’s age, individual needs, and the questions being explored.

We begin by talking with parents or caregivers about their questions, concerns, and hopes for the assessment. We will explain the available assessment options and discuss what may be most appropriate for your child.

Prior to the assessment parents or caregivers will also complete standardised questionnaires that explore social emotional development, behaviour, and wellbeing.

With your consent, we may also:

Gather information from your child’s teacher or educator
Review relevant medical, educational, psychological, or therapy reports
Speak with other professionals involved in your child’s care

This information helps us understand your child before meeting them and plan an assessment suited to their needs.

Before the assessment

During the assessment

A parent or caregiver will participate in a comprehensive developmental interview. This is usually completed without the child present so information can be discussed openly.

Getting to know your child is the most important part of the assessment. We create opportunities for children to share their experiences, preferences, and what matters to them in a way that suits their age, development, and communication style.

What your child’s part of the assessment looks like will depend on their age and the questions being explored. They can take breaks, move around, use sensory supports, and ask for help when needed. The assessment may include:

Play-based activities and interaction
Talking about their interests and experiences
Looking at pictures or telling stories
Puzzles and problem-solving activities
Questions and structured assessment tasks
Activities exploring communication, attention, memory, learning, literacy, or numeracy
Informal or structured observation

The assessment may be completed in one day or across several appointments.

After the assessment we bring together the information gathered from your child, family, educators, reports, observations, and assessment activities.

You will be invited to a feedback session where we meet with you to explain the findings, answer questions, and discuss what they may mean for your child and family. We also discuss the results with the child in a developmentally appropriate way to support a positive identity and self-understanding.

This is either completed on the day of assessment, or when additional review is needed at a later date.

You will receive a comprehensive written report within four weeks. This report outlines your child’s strengths, support needs, any relevant diagnosis, and practical recommendations for home, school, and other settings.

After the assessment

After you receive the report

Take some time to read and process the report. You do not need to act on every recommendation immediately. It can be helpful to begin with the areas that are most important to your child and family.

Depending on the findings, you may choose to:

Share the report with your child’s school or early learning setting
Meet with educators to discuss recommended adjustments and supports
Share the report with your child’s GP, paediatrician, or treating professionals
Explore recommended health, therapy, educational, or community supports
Use the report to support applications for relevant services or funding
Talk with your child about the findings in a way that suits their age and understanding

Your child’s needs and circumstances may change over time. The report can provide a starting point for future conversations, planning, and support.

Assessment is about more than a diagnosis

A diagnosis may provide important answers and support access to services, but it is only one part of the assessment process.

Our goal is to understand how your child thinks, learns, communicates, connects with others, manages everyday demands, and experiences the world around them. We consider the environments in which your child lives and learns, the support they already receive, and the factors that help them feel comfortable, capable, and understood.

Rather than focusing only on areas of difficulty, we also identify your child’s strengths, interests, abilities, and preferred ways of participating. This helps us develop recommendations that are relevant to your child and practical for the people supporting them.

Whether you have a clear assessment question or are unsure where to begin, our team is here to guide you. Contact Brain Sprout Clinic to tell us a little about your child and what you would like help understanding. We will discuss the available options and help identify an assessment pathway suited to your child and family.

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