Frequently Asked Questions
What is your current waitlist time?
Wait times vary- please contact me for specific current wait times. On average, wait times for assessments are approximately 2-3 months. From time to time, I close my waitlist for assessments once wait times exceed 5-6 months. I do not keep a waitlist for therapeutic support.
Do I need a referral?
No, you can self-refer by contacting me. However, a referral from another professional helps me to know that you have a support team in place. Depending on the service you are requesting, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates with a referral from your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. I’m happy to chat to you about possible rebate options that may be available.
Where is your privacy policy?
MindSpark’s privacy policy is located in the ‘Resources’ section of this website.
What are your hours of operation?
I work part time on rotating days. Feel free to get in contact via phone or email and I will usually get back to you within 1-3 business days.
Do you offer after hours appointments?
A limited number of Saturday appointments are available. Unfortunately no after hours appointments are available Monday to Friday.
What accommodations do you offer?
MindSpark Psychology strongly supports accessibility. During my in-take process I will ask if you have any requirements for supports or accommodations. I’m very happy to discuss your individual needs. Accommodations may include:
-Parking/public transport and building/room access requirements.
-Preferred methods of communication during sessions- written, face to face, video call, AAC, etc.
-Preferred methods of communication outside of sessions e.g. email or phone calls.
-Any sensory accommodations e.g. dimming lights, seating options, sensory tools, etc.
-If you need any assistance or alternative options for completing forms. Likewise, if you need assistance following up information or reports from your child’s school or other professionals.
If you need any other accommodations, please feel free to let me know.
How do I prepare my child for their assessment?
I have some information flyers on my website to help give some information on what to expect for children and adolescents in an age-appropriate way. Click on the ‘Resources’ tab in the website menu to check them out and see if they are right for you as every child is different.
Will an Autism identification/diagnosis mean that I can access the NDIS?
The report you receive following an Autism assessment may be used as evidence to support a NDIS access request, if you receive a diagnosis and meet other NDIS eligibility criteria. However, you will also need other supporting documents. Specific documents will depend on the individual’s age, their support needs and whether they have any co-occurring disabilities.
As I am a registered Educational and Developmental Psychologist, the NDIS often seeks a multidisciplinary or team-based confirmation of diagnosis. When I have completed multidisciplinary assessments with Rachael Kuch, speech pathologist at Connection Speech Pathology Services, individuals can use this report as a supporting document to their NDIS Access Request, if they meet the NDIS eligibility criteria. If you elect for a psychology-only assessment, your report can be used in conjunction with documentation from at least one other allied health practitioner and/or Paediatrician (for children), psychiatrist or Clinical Psychologist to support your NDIS Access Request. NDIS Access Requests may be strengthened by including a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) completed by an Occupational Therapist, in addition to diagnostic assessment reports in some circumstances.
We do our best to support applications (where the individual is eligible), but NDIS/the NDIA are the sole decision-makers on the criteria and outcome of Access Requests. Therefore, then can be no guarantee that you will be able to receive NDIS funding. For the most up to date information about the criteria to access the NDIS, please see the NDIS website, as this information may change over time.
Should I see a paediatrician/psychiatrist or a psychologist for an ADHD assessment?
If you are considering (or might consider) whether medication might be appropriate, generally I recommend seeing either a paediatrician (for children up to 17 years old) or a psychiatrist (all ages) for an ADHD assessment. These professionals conduct their own evaluations before prescribing medication, therefore this will be a cheaper and quicker option than doing two lots of assessment. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication.
Psychology assessments for ADHD can be helpful to know whether you might have ADHD and, if so, learn more about how your brain works.
As I recommend assessing for both Autism and ADHD together given the high rate of co-occurrence, I will offer screening/assessment for ADHD when conducting Autism assessments.
What is the process for child/adolescent developmental assessments (Autism, ADHD)?
Once you send me a request, I will contact you to send you consent forms and a background questionnaire to gather more information. Once these forms are completed and returned, I will contact you to arrange assessment appointment times.
After all assessment/s are complete, a comprehensive report is prepared. I will then arrange a feedback meeting to discuss the results.
Process for a multidisciplinary assessment (completed by a psychologist and speech pathologist) for children and adolescents:
Multidisciplinary assessments are recommended in most cases for children and adolescents. Along with a psychology assessment, these usually also include assessments from a speech pathologist and a paediatrician or psychiatrist. I often partner with Connection Speech Pathology Services to provide multidisciplinary assessments.
Appointment 1: Interview with parent/s or caregivers
Questionnaires are sent to you and your child’s school or kindergarten to collect information about your child in different environments.
Appointment 2: A language and social communication assessment is completed with the child/young person and an observation is completed at your child’s school (where appropriate).
Appointment 3: A psychology assessment session is completed with the child/young person. Additional appointments may be made for any other assessments to be completed (e.g. cognitive assessment).
All information is collated and a comprehensive report is written.
Appointment 4: Feedback meeting
Process for psychologist only assessment:
The same process as above, excluding appointment 2.
What is the process for adult developmental (autism/ADHD) assessments?
Once you send me a request, I will email you to send you consent forms and a background questionnaire to gather more information as well as arrange assessment appointment times.
During the first appointment, an interview is completed with you. Adult assessments can occur in person or online- you can let me know what your preference is. The length of the interview/number of appointments required will depend on your individual circumstances. I can let you know how many appointments you will need and give an estimate of the length of these appointments once you get in contact.
I will also get you to complete some online questionnaires. We can also discuss whether it might be appropriate to have someone else (e.g. a parent, sibling, aunt/uncle, friend) to also complete some questionnaires or whether there might be other sources of information about your childhood to meet this part of the criteria. Please note that I do not include/exclude diagnoses based on singular sources of third-party information. My aim is to build a comprehensive understanding of you and your life.
After all of the information is collated, I will write a comprehensive report and we will have a feedback meeting to discuss the outcome of the assessment.
What is the process for cognitive and psycho-educational assessments?
Once you send a request, I will contact you to discuss the referral question with you to determine what the presenting issues are and what tools will help to gather the right information to answer any questions. I will send you a parent/guardian consent form and background questionnaire to gather more information. Once these forms are completed and returned, I will contact you to arrange an assessment appointment time. I may also ask you to gather information from your child’s school and any other professionals supporting your child. Please also let me know if you need any assistance with this.
After the assessment/s are complete, a comprehensive report is prepared. I will then arrange a feedback meeting to discuss the results. I will also discuss recommendations and strategies to help guide plans made to support your child.
Appointment 1: Interview with parent/s or caregivers
Collection of information from your child’s school
Appointment 2: Assessment with child/young person
Appointment 3: Any additional assessments (if required)
Report preparation
Appointment 3/4: feedback meeting
Please click here for more specific information about assessments for specific learning disabilities.