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Autism & ADHD Assessments

Diagnostic assessments for identifying neurodivergence

Assessment books: Open please email for availability (usually 3-6 months).​

​​I am passionate about assessment as I enjoy being able to look closely into a person's life and work out how everything fits together to tell a story. It is a deeply empowering process for both myself and my client as they further the process of discovering who they are. I believe that when we can really know ourselves, we can really learn how to take care of ourselves to allow the best possible life. 

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My assessments are affirming, informal, and feel like a conversation as opposed to a clinical interview (even though my interview is still clinical and diagnostic). I use validated assessment measures, have based my process on the highest standard, and I continue to engage in supervision and training to further my learning. Everyone is nervous for their assessment, but the nerves dissipate early on.

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Where are when are assessments conducted?

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Assessments are conducted face-to-face in Pullenvale (Brisbane West) or via telehealth.​

I take bookings on Monday's or Tuesday's at 11.00/12.00pm AEST (Brisbane, Queensland time). Occasional appointments available Thursday's at 10.00am AEST. 

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​​​Who do I assess?

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I have a special interest in assessing individuals who have escaped diagnosis due to not presenting in "expected" ways. This includes individuals who have learnt to mask and copy extensively and who have conformed to behave in ways that make it more likely they will fit in (despite never feeling they fit in). It also includes others who have received diagnoses that are a poor fit, who have engaged in treatment for a diagnosis with little benefit, and those with conditions that can mask the presence of neurodivergence (e.g., C-PTSD, Borderline, Bipolar). 

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When you are assessed, I will investigate the main reason you booked (e.g., am I Autistic?) and I will also look at other differential diagnoses that may also be present. These include trauma/C-PTSD, OCD, Borderline, Bipolar and so on. This is to ensure that a) I have done my job correctly in assessing all possible options, which removes bias, and b) to give you the most complete picture of yourself possible in our time together. Diagnoses for additional conditions are not always possible but they will be teased enough to guide further exploration with treating professionals. If you have received or had any diagnoses suspected in the past, it is important to tell me so I can investigate them during the assessment. 

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I also have a special interest in assessing individuals that are 2E or Twice Exceptional. This is when an individual has a gift (e.g., intellectual, emotional, creative, physical, existential,  sensory) combined with a disability/difference (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Learning differences). These individuals are often missed due to their intelligence overshadowing their difficulties.​ Gifted individuals are often viewed as not having any problems or difficulties compared to others but they are a very misunderstood minority group that have their own struggles in life (e.g., not belonging with peers, not fitting in anywhere, perfectionism, anxiety, depression). This is further exacerbated when combined with an additional difference like Autism or ADHD, making exploration of this profile beneficial. 

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​How do I book an appointment?

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If you would like to book an appointment with me please provide all of these details so I can create your booking:

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  • your name

  • address

  • date of birth

  • mobile number (not to call you! Only for booking reminders)

  • preferred pronouns if you have them

  • If you want in person or online

  • If you have a preferred day out of Monday or  Tuesday

  • What type of assessment you want (e.g., Autism, ADHD, both) and any other areas for investigation (e.g., PDA, BPD, Bipolar, trauma, OCD etc)

  • If you are planning on applying for either NDIS or DSP (I only take so many of these)

  • Any questions you have that are not covered in my FAQs.​

  • To book, please click the enquiry button below to send me an email or use the contact form to send me the above information.

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​​​Important:

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  1. Ensure you are ready to book and attend an assessment with me. Click here for more information.

  2. ​Please read my cancellation policy before booking your assessment.

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All this information is provided for clarity and informed consent, is direct in nature to avoid confusion, is designed to reduce administrative burden, and saves precious spoons (or energy if you do not know this analogy). 

 

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Psychological Assessment

Types of Assessments (16+ and Adults)​​​​

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Autism

  • Comprehensive assessment including 2.5 - 3 hour MIGDAS/DSM clinical interview plus questionnaires. 

  • Investigation of any previous or suspected diagnoses (e.g., OCD, BPD, Bipolar, CPTSD etc).

  • Extensive report with recommendations and diagnoses (if applicable). 

  • Best suited for people who have had trouble being identified and want to learn more about themselves

  • Please read FAQs below in relation to access to NDIS or DSP as I may not be the best person for you.

  • Short feedback session (e.g., 15 mins) at the end of the interview + ability email questions post assessment.

  • minimum of 8.5 hours spent including the preparation, interview, evaluation of data, and report. 

  • Cost: $2500

  • Optional: one-off session to discuss report in-depth (not therapy), 50 minutes $300. 

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ADHD

  • Comprehensive assessment including 2 - 2.5 hour DIVA clinical interview plus questionnaires.

  • Investigation of any previous or suspected diagnoses (e.g., OCD, BPD, Bipolar, CPTSD etc).

  • Extensive report with recommendations and diagnoses (if applicable). 

  • Best suited for people who have had trouble being identified and want to learn more about themselves

  • Short feedback session (e.g., 15 mins) at the end of the interview + ability email questions post assessment.

  • minimum of 6.5 hours spent including the preparation, interview, evaluation of data, and report. 

  • Cost: $1900

  • Optional: one-off session to discuss report in-depth (not therapy), 50 minutes $300. 

  • ADHD medication: this assessment will not help you access medication. Click ​​here for more details.

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​Autism and ADHD​

  • As above but with 3 - 3.5 hour combined interview and questionnaires

  • minimum of 10.5 hours spent including the preparation, interview, evaluation of data, and report. 

  • Cost: $3100

  • ​Optional: one-off session to discuss diagnosis, 50 minutes $300. 

  • ADHD medication: this assessment will not help you access medication. Click ​​here for more details.​​​​​

Assessment Process

 

For those who like the ALL the details.​

 

I have a very structured process for my assessments as this is how I run my business and my life (thanks Autism). I will give you clear and stepped out instructions for every part of the process so you will always know what to expect. The most important things as a client are:

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  • That you do all the things I ask you to do in the time period I note, and if you cannot, you reach out and let me know (e.g., life happens and sometimes things take longer). This will allow everything to run smoothly.

  • Communication is also vital. If I email you - please respond within the time period I give you. I know this can be hard and some people feel anxious about responding or making decisions but it is very hard for me to make decisions without needed information. 

  • If you have booked an appointment and no longer want it for any reason, please let me know quickly (e.g., please do not ghost me or not respond). I am very reluctant to cancel appointments so letting me know via email or SMS that you cannot attend is very important. It also allows me to plan my time.

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Once we have agreed on a date and time the following occurs:​​

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  • Confirmation email and text: you will get an email confirming your booking and an outline of the fees and process (e.g., confirmation and cancellation). Get back in touch if it does not match what you expected.

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  • Complete a digital form: please digitally complete the privacy and consent form in the above email within 7 days to confirm your booking. If you are like me and might forget - it's a quick job that is best done in the moment you open the email.

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  • Confirmation of appointment: you will get a text 5-6 weeks before your appointment asking you to confirm within 48 hours. You need to respond to this, preferably within 24 hours. Responding 'N' is perfectly acceptable to cancel your appointment and preferred by me so I can plan my time.

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  • Cancellation of appointment: you are welcome to cancel your appointment but it must be 14 days before your appointment otherwise a $300 administration fee will be charged. Please see here for more. If you respond 'N' to your text, I may email you to ask if you wanted to cancel it completely or rebook for a later time. Responding to this is not essential, but is preferred.​​​

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  • Preparation: once you have confirmed your appointment, you will be emailed your assessment preparation, which will take you around 2-3 hours to complete. It will have a noted due date (e.g., 2 weeks from receipt) that you need to stick to as this gives me enough time to prepare to see you.

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  • Informant/Ancillary information: in your preparation there is a link to a short form asking what information you have for your assessment (e.g., who you have to do informant reports, any documents you have). See here for more about informants. You need to complete this whether you have what is asked or not.

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  • Invoice payment: you will receive your invoice 7 days before your appointment. Please pay this prior to your appointment. Preferred payment is bank deposit, but you can use credit card for a fee (1.1-1.7%).

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  • Text reminder: you will get a text message 2 days before your assessment to remind you of your appointment - you do not need to respond to this, it is just a reminder. 

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  • If your appointment is online: you will get a link the day before your appointment combined with instructions on how to join and how to test everything is working.

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  • In person: if you are face to face you will get an email the day before explaining how to find me as I am tucked away.

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  • After your interview: you will be tired and will be processing and integrating information. It is good to plan for an early and easy dinner and to rest if you can. Around a week after your appointment, I will send you other online assessments to complete that need to be done within 2 weeks.​

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  • Reports: take 6-8 weeks depending on many factors. Click here for more information. 

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This looks like a lot but I will guide you through it all.

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​​​A note about language and why it matters

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Please avoid using the term ASD with me (and others) as this is not affirming and not preferred by the neurodivergent community. The terms Autism and Autistic are preferred as this is person first language. Person first language emphasises the individual before their disability, rather than the person's differences being their defining characteristic. Using affirming and inclusive language matters, especially for children but for adults too, even though the acronym 'rolls off the tongue' and is shorter - sometimes we have to make these changes as it is just the right thing to do. 

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Reports do not contain this terminology nor use stigmatising language, or a deficit lens as this is not in line with the neurodiversity affirming paradigm. We are not disordered, broken, or defective - we are simply wired differently and therefore we experience the world unlike the majority. Vastly our struggles in life have been due to being wired differently, finding it hard to belong, and struggling to keep up with neuronormative standards that do not align with our neurotype, are not sustainable, and lead to elevated self-criticism. Understanding the 'why' helps us drop expectations that do not fit and develop self-compassion, acceptance, and wellbeing. â€‹â€‹

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I be referred?

 

Referral can be made by your GP, psychiatrist, or other allied health professionals. You can also self refer. 

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As an adult, whilst a referral for assessment is not necessary, if you have a good relationship with your GP (or other health practitioner above) and you have been discussing Autism and related health conditions, a detailed referral can be integrated into your assessment and serve as another form of evidence. However, you need to weigh up the cost of the appointment to have the letter written and the level of detail that might be provided.

When do I find out if I meet criteria?

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I will tell you at the end of your interview if you meet criteria for your chosen assessment (e.g., Autism and/or ADHD).

 

I will also mention any other diagnoses that could be likely or any other areas that I need to investigate further (e.g., Complex PTSD, OCD, Bipolar, ADHD if assessment was Autism only etc). These are all just examples and I will only do this if needed in order to gain an accurate picture of you for your future treatment.

Can you get Medicare rebates for assessments?

 

Medicare rebates are available for individuals under 25 years when referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist. The referral must be for a "complex neurodevelopmental assessment". The rebate is approximately $400. Please let me know on enquiring if you have a referral.

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GP referrals or mental health care plans are not acceptable under Medicare rules for any portion of the assessment process. These are not my rules, they are government rules. You can use a MHCP to discuss your diagnosis, report, and future treatment in a one-off session with me. This session is $300 and receives a rebate of $141.25 (24/25 year).

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Otherwise, a referral is not needed for an assessment. You can self-refer or have a parent refer.

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Some private heath funds may offer a rebate for assessment, however this is unlikely. Please enquire with your health fund to see if this is possible. I do not have any item codes (sometimes they ask for this) and you may need to explain the difference between assessment and therapy to see if they cover assessment.

When do I need to pay for my assessment and how can I pay?

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​​Take a deep breath, assessments are expensive and this is because they take a huge amount of time to complete. Costs are based on the number of hours I spend across your whole assessment from start to finish. You will get an email from me on booking that states the type of assessment you have booked and the fee for your assessment. Your fee will never exceed this quote unless you request something outside of what was originally requested.

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You will be emailed an invoice for 50% of the fee 7 days before your appointment, which needs to be transferred prior to your appointment (unless you have arranged to pay via credit card in the clinic).
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Bank transfer is the preferred method of payment as this keeps costs down. Please forward your receipt on payment.

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You can use a credit card if you prefer (e.g., visa or mastercard) in person or online but it attracts fees (e.g., 1.1% in the clinic and 1.7% online or with a link). These are the direct fees charged by my provider. For example, 50% of an Autism assessment is $1250, which would incur a $13.75 (1.1%) or $21.25 (1.7%) fee for each payment.

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How do I access medication for ADHD?

 

First and Foremost: you do not need this assessment to obtain medication or to see a psychiatrist nor is it necessarily helpful to have this report to access medication.

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If you are diagnosed with ADHD (by any allied health practitioner) and would like to try medication, how you access medication depends on your state. In Queensland rules have recently been passed allowing trained GP's to diagnose and commence medication for ADHD without the need for a psychiatrist. Other states have different rules (e.g., NSW a psychiatrist must commence medication but a GP can apply to continue prescriptions). Please investigate the rules in your state to get a clear understanding of this. Your GP can be a good place to start.

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​If you have been assessed or diagnosed with ADHD already, you can take your report to the psychiatrist. If your treating psychologist suggests you have ADHD and is willing to write a letter to a psychiatrist about how you meet criteria (with screeners such as the ASRS), this is also useful. If a previous psychiatrist has diagnosed you with ADHD and gave you a letter, you can also provide this. However, each psychiatrist will have their own process, which varies considerably between practitioners. Psychiatrists have to do their own due diligence, which means they have to be certain that you do meet the criteria for ADHD and cannot just rely on someone else's report, no matter who this professional is. This is due to stimulants being a Schedule 8 medication and liability falling to the psychiatrist for this prescription.

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A good psychiatrist will be willing to review collateral information you bring to your appointment, including reports and letters, screeners, or school report cards. Some psychiatrists will complete a few informal sessions and others will want to do a full assessment with varied costs (from $500-600 out of pocket for 2 sessions to thousands of dollars). Some psychiatrists will not review collateral information at all.

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It is important when speaking to psychiatry practices that you ask:

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a) if they work with and treat adult ADHD;

b) what their process is and if they will accept any reports you have; and

c) what the cost is.

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If practices will not share this information, it might be good to look elsewhere to ones that are more transparent. Many psychiatrists who are doing the larger more expensive assessments will have this on their website. Seeking advice from local facebook forums and groups can be a helpful way of finding understanding practitioners in your local area.

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Some people still like to be assessed by a psychologist for a few reasons, such as wanting an in-depth assessment to get answers about themselves, not wishing to pursue medication, not presenting in a  stereotypical way, not trusting their psychiatrist assessment as it was not in-depth enough, or a history of not being able to get health practitioners to take concerns seriously. My assessments are of best use to these people.

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Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions about this.

What do I need to provide to book?

 

To book, I ask for all the information above (e.g., your name, address, email, mobile number, and date of birth etc). I treat this information confidentially and will not release it to others or use it in any way other than for the purpose of your assessment. I will not call you unless it is necessary (e.g., we cut out in an online session) and I only use text and email to communicate.

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Your mobile number is needed for system reminders and as part of my process that is designed to make administration easier for me. I will never release your information to any third party without your consent. If you cancel your assessment and do not wish to rebook, I immediately archive your file and will not contact you again.
 

On booking, I provide you with a link to a privacy and consent form to complete. It is appreciated if these are completed within the time frame advised (7 days) so I do not have to chase you.

How is the testing and interview portion completed?

 

The interview takes place in my clinic (e.g., face to face) or via telehealth (secure video platform). Depending in the type of assessment the interview takes 2 to 3.5 hours. 

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You will be asked to confirm your appointment 5-6 weeks prior and once confirmed, your prep will be sent out via email. These take approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be done all in one sitting or bit by bit as long as they are done in the requested time frame, which is 2 weeks from the date of the email. 

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If you think you would need more time to complete the prep, please reach out so this can be arranged. However, it is generally not sent out on booking as this gap can be too long for the integrity of the data. 

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It is natural to worry about completing the forms and want to get "everything" in there. Please consider that I do not need extensive information and the forms are a guide to get me started. Bullet points are fine as I will ask you everything I need to know during the interview.


After your interview, you will be emailed additional online assessments within a week that have a completion time frame (e.g., 2 weeks).

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Reports

 

Reports are generally very detailed and consist of background information (e.g., mental health history, family environment growing up, education and career etc), test scores, interpretation of results, recommendations for treatment, and any relevant diagnoses. They are approximately 20 to 35 pages long, depending on the type of assessment.

 

In addition, I give you or you can request the following at no additional cost:

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  • a one page report that states diagnoses only;

  • if you are studying or about to study, a letter for school/university requesting adjustments;

  • if an ADHD or Dual assessment, a shortened letter for a psychiatrist or specialist GP (on request)

  • a workplace letter detailing appropriate adjustments to support your wellbeing (on request).

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You will receive your report approximately 6-8 weeks from the date of your appointment but at the end of your interview I will give you the 'jist' of what will be in it (e.g., what criteria you meet, my interpretation of your presentation). Various factors can influence getting the report to you, such as delays in receiving requested information, assessments falling around holiday periods (e.g., Christmas as I take 4 weeks off at this time), or just general backlog (e.g., from leave, Christmas, working too much). If you are concerned about the timeframe of your report, please reach out and check with me where I am up to with it. â€‹â€‹Once your report is finalised an invoice is sent for the remaining balance and the report will be forwarded to you on payment. 

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​​​The recommendations I give are broad in nature and around service access (e.g., what you might benefit from) or adjustments that may be helpful. In addition, throughout the report when discussing findings I also provide areas to explore yourself and with your treating professionals. If you have specific support-related questions, you are welcome to ask me these during or after your assessment.

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The purpose of my reports is to give you a clear picture of your difficulties and patterns across your life so you can learn more about who you are and build your self-identity from the ground up. For some they also provide diagnostic clarity due to receiving too many diagnoses from other professionals, which can happen due to complexity and lack of practitioner training. It can also help guide continuing treatment by highlighting the key areas where intervention is needed. If you wanted your report for NDIS or DSP, please see here for more information.

Do you write reports for NDIS or DSP funding?

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Some people wish to access government services to gain support and this is the reason they are seeking an assessment. Whilst I absolutely support this, I may not be the best person to do your assessment if this is your reason for seeking it. Please advise me when contacting me or on booking if you wish to apply for either of these services.

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NDIS/NDIA

cannot guarantee that my diagnostic reports will be sufficient for access to NDIS funding. The NDIS determines eligibility based on an individual's 'level of functioning' and other factors beyond my control, which is a constantly changing landscape as NDIS struggles to fund the level of participants trying to join the scheme. Difficulties with gaining access has also led to 'Autism level' reviews, causing problems given Autism levels are not meant to be used for funding purposes but are more indicative of the level of difficulties a person exhibits across diagnostic criteria. For this reason, I do not do Autism level re-assessments for funding access unless you are an existing client or I did the initial assessment. 

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You may also need an additional assessment and report from an Occupational Therapist to strengthen your application. Requirements can differ in each state and can vary with individual Local Area Coordinators (LAC's). Whilst many of my clients who have wanted to seek NDIS funding have been successful in this regard, I am mindful of the cost of this assessment, and if your goal is accessing the NDIS, you may be better served by an alternative practitioner who specialises in it and stays up to date with all of the changes. I will be unable to assist you with accessing NDIS after your assessment and do not stay as 'up to date' on most changes to NDIS as some other practitioners do. Therefore if your sole reason for assessment is to gain access to NDIS, I suggest that you find someone more suited for this outcome.

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I also do not provide assessments for NDIS/NDIA tribunal matters where an application for access to the scheme has been refused or is being disputed.

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If any of this is unclear or you have questions about it, please feel free to reach out.

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Disability Support Pension (DSP)

Regarding DSP, some clients who have been unable to work for long periods or unable to work full time due to disability may wish to access this service. If you wish to access DSP there is an additional cost involved as I may need to gather additional information for this purpose to ensure I assess the specific DSP criteria. Whilst I go to every effort to follow these guidelines and assess you in a way to allow a fair consideration by DSP, I cannot guarantee that my report will be sufficient for DSP access and that other information will not be required (e.g., a GP report/form is also required in Queensland, see here). I will be unable to assist you with accessing DSP after your assessment.

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For those wishing to apply for DSP,  an additional fee applies (e.g., $300) due to the extra time needed to complete required tables and produce a 'DSP friendly' report. This fee is well below the actual time it takes me to do this. I prefer to know prior to your assessment if you wish to obtain this as it helps me plan my time and gather information from you. It is usually completed 1-3 post weeks after you receive your report.

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​Please ensure you do your own research in regards to these matters.

Do you work on legal matters?

 

My reports are diagnostic in nature and are not medico-legal reports and are not to be used for these purposes. Medico-legal reports is an area of specialisation for psychologists and I do not work in this area.

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I do not provide any letters regarding legal matters, court appearances, and return to work or independent medical examination reports. 

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I do not provide assessments for NDIS/NDIA tribunal matters where an application for access to the scheme is being disputed.

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I do not provide reports that are connected to child custody issues or parenting disputes.

 

If you have booked an assessment and not advised me on these matters it will result in the immediate cancellation of your assessment, the charging of a cancellation fee, and the inability to use any written communication by me in any legal matters.

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I am unable to provide referral options for medico-legal practitioners.

Can I attend the appointment with my loved one?

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You are able to bring someone to your appointment if it makes you feel more comfortable. This could be a partner, parent, or friend. They are able to come into the interview with you as moral support, can attend with you online, or can wait outside taking in the views.

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You will still be required to answer the questions that I ask but I can also collect collateral information from your loved one at the same time.

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For parents of teens, you are able to attend the appointment if your teen prefers this. Please speak to them about what they would like. I send you forms to complete as part of your teen's preparation and can organise to obtain additional information if required. 

Cancellation of Assessment

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You are of course welcome to cancel your appointment and you can do so for without charge as long as it is within certain timeframes.

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My policy requires 14 days notice to cancel an assessment appointment. This means that after you receive your 5-6 week confirmation text, you will have approximately 3-4 weeks to cancel it without a fee. It is your responsibility to cancel your appointment within the required time frame and my processes allow adequate time for cancellation and advice on how to do so. 

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This notice period is due to various factors, such as ensuring I have enough time to offer the appointment to someone else in need whilst allowing all the necessary work to be done (e.g., giving them time to do the prep and me to do my part). It is also to prevent any unnecessary work being done by me if you do not attend.

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If you cancel without giving 14 days notice, you will be charged an administration fee of $300, which is solely to cover my administration costs. This also applies if you fail to attend your assessment or have not done your preparation in time and your assessment has had to be rescheduled. You can cancel via replying to the welcome email I sent you or by using the contact form or 'contact' buttons on my website.

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If you know in advance that you do not want your appointment (e.g., you have found a sooner appointment, changed your mind about assessment), please reach out as soon as possible and let me know so I can fill it. Filling appointments at the last minute can be tricky and time consuming so it is appreciated when this can be avoided.

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If you cancel when you receive your 5-6 week confirmation text by responding N or No, I usually reach out to see if you wish to completely cancel or rebook to a later time. Either is fine with me as I am happy to do what you need. Please respond to my texts or emails regarding confirming your appointment even if you are feeling anxious or guilty about doing so as not responding makes it very hard for me to run my business. I completely understand that circumstances change and 'life happens' so I am always happy to accommodate you where I can as long as we have an open dialogue about it. 

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Can you also see me for therapy?

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Unfortunately it is unlikely that I will be able to see you for both therapy and assessment. My therapy books are currently closed and my ability to not take on new clients is likely to continue to be low as I practice sustainably. I also stopped waitlisting clients as I could not provide a window of time as to when I would be able to see them, which is considered the best ethical practice. If you are looking for absolute continuity with a practitioner you will likely need to find someone else who can accommodate this. Otherwise, you are welcome to enquire at the end of your assessment.

When should I book an appointment?

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Please only book an appointment with me if you have decided on me as your assessor. If you plan to 'shop around' or find someone earlier, I am likely not the right person for you. If your assessment is urgent, please reach out and I will do my best to help you as quickly as I can within the scope of my other clients.

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Ensure you are certain that you really want to have an assessment. It is common for people to feel unsure about it and spend considerable time weighing up the pros and cons. Assessment needs a solid rationale and purpose and should be based on your values and goals and not be simply influenced by someone's suggestion.

 

Feeling uncertain and bouncing between certainty and uncertainty about if you are neurodivergent particularly happens with late identified individuals due to the extended social assimilation they have experienced making them feel unsure if they are 'faking it' or just 'making it up'. Take your time with it and do it if and when it feels right.​​​​​​​​ You have waited this long, it is good to be sure.

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Diagnostic assessment also is not needed for everyone. You can also see a neuroaffirming psychologist, mental health social worker, occupational therapist, or speech pathologist who specialises in working with Autistic and ADHD individuals (even better if they have their own lived experience) and explore these traits over time using a mental health care plan (e.g., where applicable). 

What informant information is required for an assessment?

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The 'gold standard' in terms of best practice is that informant assessments are obtained as part of your assessment, both for childhood and adulthood. This is for many reason, such as to get other points of view as to your behaviour, to collect information across the lifespan, and so the whole assessment is not self-report. Childhood informants are those who knew you as a child, such as parents, siblings, uncles or aunts, grandparents, or childhood friends. Adult informants are those who know you currently, such as a partner or spouse or good friend.

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Mostly for ADHD, if you have your primary school report cards these can be useful for your assessment especially if they have comments related to these behaviours (e.g., talked in class, distracted others, could work harder, not working to potential, difficulty with focus, not listening etc). These can be scanned or photographed and sent to me at any point after booking.

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Additionally, if you have any ancillary reports that you believe relate to your assessment, you are welcome to send me these. These could be prior psychologist or psychiatrist letters, occupational therapy reports, or previous assessment reports across the lifespan.

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However, sometimes it is not possible to obtain informant reports for various reasons, such as parents being deceased and there being no other family members available, parents being unsupportive or estranged, family members not seeing any differences in your behaviours due to their own neurodivergence, and the degree of internalisation and masking meant that behaviours were not observable by others.

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During your interview, I will ask you about behaviours across the lifespan and if you do not have an informant report available it is good to consider examples for the various areas, which you will see during your assessment prep (e.g., examples of sensory issues present, how you responded to change and unpredictability, what your social interactions and friendships were like, what interests you had, any language and communication differences you had compared to others, and how you regulated your emotions).

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If you do have an informant(s), they will be sent a form to complete similar to the one you will do for your assessment prep (but it is sent after your interview). You will be asked to complete an online form as part of your prep with what informant information you have. Please complete this whether you have informants or not and we will also discuss it at the end of your interview.

A little about me ...​

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I am a multiply neurodivergent clinical psychologist with a special interest in therapy and assessment with neurodivergent adults, particularly those that are gifted or suspect they are gifted

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I create a safe and nurturing environment where you can be free to be yourself. I have a no nonsense and informal approach that people seem to like. Authenticity is extremely important to me.

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My SPINS are learning about myself, psychology, human behaviour, neurodivergence, sport (golf, NBA, cycling, tennis), Brooklyn 99, airforce aircraft, muscle cars, and animals. 

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Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. 

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- Dr Shelley Viskovich

Appointment Hours

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Therapy books are unfortunately closed.

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Times are AEST (Brisbane, Qld).

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Therapy

Monday 8.30am - 11.30pm

Tuesday 8.30am - 10.30pm

Wednesday 11.30pm - 3.30pm

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Assessment

Monday 12.00pm (telehealth/face to face)

Tuesday 11.00am (telehealth/face to face)
Thursday 10.00am (telehealth, ad hoc)

 

Office

580A Grandview Road, Pullenvale Q  4069

Fax: (07) 3521 6768

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My preference for corresponding is email.

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Qualifications

 

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  • Master of Clinical Psychology

  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

  • EMDR/Structural Dissociation 

  • Psychodynamic Training

  • Giftedness training (current)

  • Accredited clinical supervisor

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