Making sense of complex neurodevelopmental differences.

Assessments are charged by the hour at the current rate listed on Our Fees.

Because the assessment pathway depends on your child and the question being asked, the total cost can usually be estimated more accurately after the first consultation. The first consultation generally involves approximately one hour of professional time at the current rate. For more information about why we do not offer fixed price packages, see FAQs.

We will discuss likely next steps and associated fees before you decide whether to proceed. See Our Fees → for more information and an example assessment cost structure.

It is a broader psychological assessment for situations where several developmental differences overlap and one simple explanation does not seem to account for the whole picture.

Depending on the question, assessment may consider social communication, flexibility, sensory experiences, attention, learning, cognitive abilities, behaviour, regulation and adaptive functioning.

Comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment →

Yes. Autism may be considered as part of a Comprehensive Neurodevelopmental Assessment where the broader developmental picture suggests this is relevant.

We prefer to understand autism in the context of the whole person, rather than relying on a single questionnaire, observation or predetermined testing package. Assessment may consider social communication, patterns of behaviour and interests, sensory experiences, flexibility, development, cognition, attention, learning and everyday functioning.

Autism can look different between people and across genders. Some people — including many girls and women — may show less obvious outward differences, rely more heavily on learned social strategies or masking, or experience difficulties that are easier to see in their history and everyday functioning than during a single appointment. We therefore consider the developmental pattern and information from different settings, rather than expecting everyone to present in the same way.

This is also why BPA does not use a fixed autism “package”. Two people referred with the same question may need different sources of information, different assessment tools or different professional input – particularly in the case of gender differences. A predetermined battery, even when it is considered the ‘Gold Standard’ might add unnecessary testing in one case while missing something important in another.

Where appropriate, we prefer to work alongside paediatricians, GPs, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and other professionals. A multidisciplinary approach can be particularly useful where needs span several areas or where different professional perspectives can help build a clearer picture.

Not everyone needs every professional involved. During screening, we consider the referral question, information already available and what additional assessment is most likely to be useful.

A focused assessment starts with a relatively specific question.

A comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment may be more useful when several areas appear connected, previous assessment has left important questions unanswered, or it is not yet clear which explanation best fits the overall pattern.

ADHD and attention assessments →

Learning and academic assessments →

No.

“Comprehensive” does not mean completing every available test.

The assessment is broad enough to address the referral question, but the measures and information sources are still selected for the individual and their goals.

Assessment tools and measures →

Yes.

New information sometimes changes the question or shows that a different area needs closer attention.

If additional or different assessment would be useful, we discuss this with you before changing the planned scope or adding substantial additional cost.

That is one reason a broader assessment can be useful.

The final formulation may identify one main explanation, several overlapping contributors, areas requiring further investigation, or support needs that are important even where one diagnosis does not explain everything.

Sometimes.

Developmental questions can involve health, communication, sensory, motor, educational or other needs that sit outside psychology alone.

Where appropriate and with consent, we may consider information from GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, educators or other professionals.

Sometimes.

Naturalistic observation can be useful where seeing how a child functions in their everyday school environment would add meaningful information.

It is not required for every assessment.

No.

The purpose is to understand the person accurately.

Sometimes the most useful conclusion is that the evidence does not support a particular diagnosis, that more than one factor is involved, or that further assessment from another profession is needed.

Yes. BPA can assess autism where this is the main referral question, and it is an option on our enquiry form.

We will only provide an autism assessment where we have determined that BPA is an appropriate service for the person and the question being asked. To make that decision, we first need to understand your history, your needs and any assessment or professional input you have already received.

We do not advertise a fixed autism assessment package because the most appropriate assessment process can differ considerably between people. Depending on the individual, useful information may come from psychological assessment as well as paediatricians, GPs, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, schools or other professionals.

Where it adds value, we prefer a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach rather than expecting one profession or one predetermined set of tests to explain the whole picture.

During screening, we will consider what information is already available, what additional assessment is likely to be useful, and whether BPA is the right service to complete the assessment.