A cognitive assessment is a comprehensive, diagnostic evaluation of a child or young person’s thinking, learning, and reasoning abilities. It provides detailed information about how a child processes information, solves problems, uses language and visual reasoning, and applies cognitive skills in everyday and learning environments.

Cognitive assessments are commonly used to better understand a child’s learning profile, identify strengths and areas of difficulty, and guide educational planning, intervention, and support.

Who conducts a cognitive assessment?

At The Daisy Clinic, cognitive assessments are conducted only by psychologists with specific training and expertise in cognitive and psychometric assessment. Families are always matched with a psychologist who has the appropriate qualifications, experience, and supervision to complete this specialised assessment work.

Who are cognitive assessments for?

Cognitive assessments may be recommended for children, adolescents, and young people where there are concerns or questions about:

• Learning and academic progress
• Attention, concentration, or working memory
• Problem-solving or reasoning skills
• Intellectual strengths or difficulties
• Uneven learning profiles across areas
• Giftedness or possible intellectual disability

Cognitive assessments are most commonly completed for school-aged children and adolescents, though the specific assessment used depends on the individual’s age, communication profile, and developmental level.

What assessments are used?

The cognitive assessment tool selected depends on the individual’s age, language abilities, and presenting concerns. Commonly used cognitive assessments include:

• WPPSI-IV (preschool-aged children)
• WISC-V (school-aged children)
• WAIS-IV (adolescents and young adults, where appropriate)
• UNIT-2 (for individuals where language-based testing may not be appropriate)
• Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities (usually used in assessment for specific learning disabilities)

Where required, cognitive assessment findings may be complemented by academic achievement measures, adaptive functioning questionnaires, or attention and executive functioning measures.

Is this a diagnostic assessment?

Yes. A cognitive assessment is a diagnostic assessment and may inform diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and clinical decision-making. Depending on the findings, a cognitive assessment may contribute to consideration of:

• Intellectual Developmental Disorder
• Specific Learning Disorders (*requires additional testing)
• Giftedness or high intellectual ability
• Cognitive profiles associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (as part of a broader assessment process)
• Cognitive impacts related to neurodevelopmental, medical, or psychological factors

Even where a formal diagnosis is not made, cognitive assessments play a critical role in understanding how a child learns and in guiding targeted supports at school and at home.

What is involved and what does it cost?

Cognitive assessments at The Daisy Clinic follow a staged and transparent process, allowing families to understand findings and costs at each step and to pause the process if needed.

Step 1: Parent Interview

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Cost: $349.49

A detailed interview with a parent or caregiver to gather developmental, educational, and psychosocial history, clarify referral questions, and guide assessment planning.

Step 2: Adaptive Functioning Questionnaire

• Cost: $116.50 per questionnaire

An adaptive functioning questionnaire is used to understand how the child functions in everyday settings, such as home and early learning environments. The specific measure selected depends on the child’s age, presenting concerns, and referral questions.

Step 3: Cognitive Assessment Administration

• Duration: Typically up to 2 hours
• Cost: $582.47

Face-to-face administration of the selected cognitive assessment. Session length is dependent on the individual’s age, motivation, engagement, and stamina on the day.

Step 4: Brief Summary Report (required)

• Cost: $465.98

At the conclusion of the assessment process, families receive a brief written summary report. This report:

• Summarises key cognitive findings
• Explains the individual’s cognitive profile in clear, accessible language
• Outlines diagnostic considerations where relevant
• Provides practical, individualised recommendations for home and school

This ensures families receive a clear and meaningful outcome from the assessment process.

Typical total cost

Based on the components outlined above, the typical overall cost for a comprehensive cognitive assessment is $1,514.44. This reflects the most common assessment pathway. The overall cost may vary if additional assessment components are clinically indicated. Families are always informed of any changes and associated costs before proceeding.

In some circumstances, a referral from a paediatrician may entitle families to a Medicare rebate for part of the cognitive assessment process. Eligibility depends on the type of referral and the assessment components required.

In addition, where a cognitive assessment is completed as part of a broader neurodevelopmental assessment led by a paediatrician, and the paediatrician is taking the diagnostic lead, the assessment pathway may differ. In these cases, the cognitive assessment may involve only the cognitive assessment administration, and an adaptive functioning questionnaire. Where this pathway applies, families are charged only for the assessment components required, rather than the full cognitive assessment pathway. Our team will clearly explain the recommended pathway, costs, and any applicable Medicare rebates prior to assessment.