ASSESSMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
At The Balmain Practice, we provide thorough and professional child assessments designed to build a clear understanding of how your child learns, processes information, and navigates the world around them. Our psychologists take a warm, caring, and supportive approach to every assessment, working with each child in a calm, distraction-free environment.
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Whether you have concerns about your child’s development or want to better understand how they learn and whether they may benefit from additional support, our assessments provide clear answers and a practical path forward.
A psycho-educational assessment can help to:
What Do Child Assessments Cover?
Our comprehensive child assessments utilise a range of evidence-based assessment tools. Depending on the nature of your concerns, assessments at The Balmain Practice may include:
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Cognitive ability testing (verbal comprehension, reasoning, working memory, processing speed)
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Academic performance evaluation (reading, writing, and mathematics)
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Executive function assessment (attention, impulse control, planning, and organisation)
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Behavioural observations across home and school settings
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Parent and teacher input through structured rating scales and interviews (where applicable)
Why Seek a Psycho-Educational Assessment For Your Child?
A psycho-educational assessment can offer the answers you need to better understand your child’s learning, behaviour, and development, while guiding the most appropriate next steps. It can:
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Identify cognitive strengths as well as areas where your child needs additional support
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Clarify how your child processes and retains information
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Detect underlying conditions that may be affecting learning or behaviour
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Provide a formal diagnosis where appropriate
Our assessments are conducted by registered psychologists with specific expertise in child development and psychometric testing.
Questions a Child Assessment Can Help Answer
Every child is different, and the reasons for seeking an assessment vary. Below are some of the most common questions a child assessment can help answer:
Is my child on the spectrum?
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Is my child gifted?
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Why does my child seem so disorganised and lazy?
Why does my child cry at the thought of school or homework?
Why do I have to continuously repeat myself?
Why is my child stuggling in one subject but not others?
Why is my child so nervous?
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Why is my child getting bored or misbehaving in class?
Why have my child's grades declined?
Why can't my child stay attentive?
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Conditions Our Psychologists Assess For
Our psychologists assess for a range of developmental, behavioural, and learning conditions, including:
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ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder): A commonly used term describing persistent difficulties with attention, concentration, and organisation. (ADD is now classified as a presentation of ADHD.)
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ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): A neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity.
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ASD (Autism): A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, behaviour, and sensory processing.
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Dyslexia: A Specific Learning Disorder that primarily affects reading, spelling, and phonological processing.
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Dysgraphia: A Specific Learning Disorder affecting handwriting, written expression, and written communication skills.
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Dyscalculia: A Specific Learning Disorder affecting mathematical reasoning, number concepts, and calculation skills.
For more information on specific assessments, visit our dedicated pages on child ADHD assessment and ASD (Autism) assessment.
Our Assessment Process
STEP 1: INTAKE CALL
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The process begins with an intake call with our Client Concierge, Candy Elliott. Candy holds a Diploma in Psychotherapy and an Associate Diploma in Psychotherapy.
She will discuss your concerns, explain the assessment process, and help determine whether an assessment is the right next step for your child. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the assessment process.
INTAKE CALL
STEP 2: ONLINE CLINICAL INTERVIEW WITH PATIENTS
An in-depth online interview is conducted with one of our experienced psychologists. This session helps us understand your child’s developmental history, current behaviours, learning experiences, emotional wellbeing, and any concerns across home and school settings.
We will also review any relevant medical, psychological, or educational reports where applicable. This information helps our psychologists build a complete understanding of your child’s needs before assessment begins.
CLINICAL INTERVIEW
STEP 3: TESTING AND ASSESMENT
The testing stage involves structured assessment sessions tailored to your child’s needs. During these sessions, your child completes a range of cognitive, academic, executive function, and social-emotional assessments to help our psychologists understand how they learn, process information, and approach different tasks.
Our psychologists take a warm, supportive approach throughout the testing process, actively engaging with your child in a peaceful, comfortable environment free from noise and distractions.
CHILD TESTING
STEP 4: ANALYSIS OF RESULTS AND WRITTEN REPORT
Following the assessment, your psychologist reviews all results alongside the information gathered throughout the process to develop a clear understanding of your child’s learning, behaviour, and development. A detailed written report is then prepared, outlining key findings, any diagnoses where appropriate, and practical recommendations for supporting your child moving forward.
ANAlYSIS & REPORT
STEP 5: ONLINE FEEDBACK SESSION
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The final stage involves an online feedback session in which the psychologist discusses the assessment results, explains the key findings, and helps clarify the next steps for your child. An electronic copy of the report is provided following the session, with a printed copy available on request.
FEEDBACK SESSION
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
At The Balmain Practice, we understand that seeking an assessment is an important step in better understanding your child’s learning, behaviour, and development. Our psychologists provide comprehensive child assessments designed to answer your questions and provide clear guidance on the next steps.To learn more or to book an assessment, contact our team today.