A neurodevelopmental assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed to understand a child or young person’s development, behaviour, learning, and emotional wellbeing as a whole. Rather than focusing on a single concern, a neurodevelopmental assessment explores multiple areas of functioning to identify the factors contributing to a young person’s presentation and to guide meaningful, individualised support.

Neurodevelopmental assessments are appropriate when there are complex, overlapping, or unclear concerns, or when families and professionals are seeking a holistic understanding of a child’s profile.

Who conducts a neurodevelopmental assessment?

At The Daisy Clinic, neurodevelopmental assessments are conducted only by psychologists with specialist training and experience in neurodevelopmental assessment and diagnostic formulation.

Not all clinicians are qualified to complete neurodevelopmental assessments. These assessments require advanced training in cognitive, developmental, behavioural, and emotional assessment, as well as the integration of information across multiple sources.

Families are always matched with a psychologist who has the appropriate qualifications, experience, and scope of practice for this specialised assessment work.

Who are neurodevelopmental assessments for?

Neurodevelopmental assessments are designed for children and young people, typically from approximately six years of age through to adolescence (up to 18 years). A neurodevelopmental assessment may be recommended when a child or young person presents with concerns across multiple areas of development or functioning, including:

• Behavioural difficulties
• Emotional concerns, such as anxiety or mood difficulties
• Attention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity
• Social communication differences or concerns about autism
• Learning difficulties or suspected learning disorders
• Uneven developmental or cognitive profiles
• Difficulties with regulation, flexibility, or sensory processing

These assessments are particularly appropriate for school-aged children and adolescents, where a comprehensive understanding of strengths, needs, and contributing factors is required to guide support at home, school, and in the community.

What assessments are used?

Neurodevelopmental assessments use a standardised core battery designed to explore a child or young person’s profile across multiple domains and support accurate diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

The standard assessment battery includes:

• Parent interview, including a structured autism developmental interview (ADI‑R)
• Autism‑specific observation (e.g. ADOS‑2 or MIGDAS‑2), completed directly with the child
• Cognitive assessment (e.g. WISC-V or WAIS-5), to understand thinking, reasoning, and learning abilities
• Academic achievement assessment (e.g. WIAT-III or WJV), to assess reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics skills)
• Questionnaires, used to gather information across home and school environments, including:
  • adaptive functioning (everyday skills and independence),
  • behavioural and emotional functioning (e.g. anxiety, regulation),
  • attention and ADHD‑related symptoms, and
  • autism‑related characteristics.

*For some adolescents, a personality measure (e.g. PAI-A) may be included to further understand emotional and personality functioning. This is not typically required.

Developmental assessments are a separate assessment pathway and are not included as part of a neurodevelopmental assessment battery.

Is this a diagnostic assessment?

Yes. A neurodevelopmental assessment is a diagnostic assessment that supports both diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Depending on findings, a neurodevelopmental assessment may inform diagnoses such as:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Specific Learning Disorder
• Intellectual Developmental Disorder
• Anxiety or emotional regulation difficulties
• Other neurodevelopmental or developmental conditions

Importantly, a neurodevelopmental assessment also helps clarify how different factors interact, rather than viewing concerns in isolation.

What is involved and what does it cost?

Neurodevelopmental assessments at The Daisy Clinic follow a structured and transparent process, with costs clearly outlined for each component of the standard assessment battery. The standard assessment pathway and costs are as follows:

Step 1: Parent Interview and ADI-R

• Duration: Up to 2 hours
• Cost: $582.47

A comprehensive parent interview, including developmental history, current concerns, and administration of the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R).

Step 2: Questionnaires

• Cost: $116.50 per questionnaire

Neurodevelopmental assessments typically include a minimum of six parent and teacher questionnaires, covering:

• adaptive functioning,
• behavioural and emotional functioning (e.g. anxiety, regulation),
• attention and ADHD-related symptoms, and
• autism-related characteristics, across home and school environments.

Step 3: Autism-Specific Observation

• Duration: Typically 1–2 hours
• Cost: $465.98

Direct observation and interaction using an autism-specific assessment tool (e.g. ADOS-2 or MIGDAS-2).

Step 4: Cognitive Assessment Administration

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

A standardised cognitive assessment to understand thinking, reasoning, and learning abilities.

Step 5: Academic Achievement Assessment Administration

• Duration: Typically 1.5–2 hours
• Cost: $582.47

Assessment of academic skills, including reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics.

Step 6: Feedback Session

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Cost: Included at no additional charge

A feedback session to explain assessment findings, answer questions, and discuss recommendations and next steps with families.

Reporting options and costs

At the conclusion of the neurodevelopmental assessment, families may choose between the following reporting options:

• Brief Summary Report: $465.98
  A concise written summary integrating assessment findings, diagnostic conclusions, and priority recommendations.
• Comprehensive Neurodevelopmental Assessment Report: $1,397.94
  A detailed report integrating all assessment data, diagnostic formulation, and comprehensive recommendations across home, school, and community settings.

It is strongly recommended that a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment report is completed, given the complexity and breadth of concerns typically explored in this pathway.

Typical total cost

Based on the standard assessment battery outlined above, the typical costs for a neurodevelopmental assessment are:

• $3,378.37 total with brief summary report
• $4,310.33 with comprehensive report

These totals reflect the most common assessment pathway. Costs may vary if assessment components are adjusted based on clinical need. Families are always informed of recommended components and associated costs before proceeding.

Additional assessments (if clinically indicated):

For some adolescents, a personality measure (e.g. PAI-A) may be included to further understand emotional and personality functioning. This is not typically required.

• Duration: Typically 1-1.5 hours
• Cost: $465.98

A referral from a paediatrician may entitle families to a Medicare rebate for part of the neurodevelopmental assessment process. Eligibility depends on the type of referral and the assessment components required. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that families obtain a paediatrician referral prior to commencing a neurodevelopmental assessment. Our team will discuss Medicare rebate eligibility, recommended assessment components, and any applicable out-of-pocket costs with families before assessment begins.

Our holistic approach

Neurodevelopmental assessments are designed to provide a whole-of-child understanding. Rather than focusing on a single label, these assessments aim to explain why a child or young person is experiencing difficulties and how best to support them moving forward. At each stage of the process, families are provided with feedback and can choose whether to proceed with recommended assessment components.

If you are unsure whether a neurodevelopmental assessment is appropriate, our team is happy to discuss your concerns and help guide the next steps.