Before the first appointment, our admin team will ask you to complete forms about your child’s medical, developmental and educational history. We may also request copies of school reports or other relevant documents.

We recommend that your child has up-to-date vision and hearing tests before the assessment begins. These checks help rule out factors that could affect learning and ensure the results of the cognitive assessment are as accurate and useful as possible.

Please bring water, a light snack and any assistive devices your child uses (glasses, hearing aids etc).

Reports are usually finalised within two weeks of the final testing session.

Medicare does not cover cognitive assessments. Some private health insurers may offer partial rebates; check your individual policy.

If you’d like to learn more about cognitive assessments and ways to support your child’s learning, these resources may be helpful:

1. Understanding Cognitive Assessments – A Parents’ Guide

2. Information on what is needed if you are seeking NDIS support- NDIS

3. Teaching Children Problem-solving Skills – A Parent’s Guide

The Kids Lego group is capped at three children, while the Minecraft social skills group is limited to 4 – 6 children.

We require a minimum of 3 participants for the Lego group and 4 for the Minecraft group. These limited numbers ensure that each child gets focused attention from the facilitator and that everyone has meaningful interactions with their peers.

No referral is needed. You can book directly with our team.

Our kids’ social groups are carefully structured to support the children’s social understanding and connection while participating in a hands-on, familiar and fun activity with their same-aged peers.

Our multi award-winning psychologists at Sydney Children’s Practice designed these sessions to support children who may have difficulty connecting with their peers, building friendships or navigating social situations.

All our group sessions are run by a psychologist who has experience in child development and supporting children with social communication challenges.

Please contact the admin team for upcoming program dates for our school holiday programs in Sydney’s inner west. We generally hold these sessions in both holiday and term time.

Sessions are held at our Glebe and Stanmore clinics – both of which are within easy access of the Inner West and broader Sydney area. Our admin team will have more details for you.

No, these groups are for children only. Parents will receive a summary of activities covered, and our clinicians may offer feedback where helpful.

No. Kids’ social groups are not eligible for Medicare rebates, including those connected to a Mental Health Care Plan.

Please check directly with your health care provider to determine whether any rebates apply for the Kids Lego Group or the Kids Minecraft Group.

The group is capped at 8 participants. Keeping the numbers small ensures each parent or caregiver receives personal attention and has space to share and learn.

The sessions aim to provide practical skills to help parents and caregivers better understand and respond to their child’s behaviour and emotions. The focus is on fostering strong, caring, and respectful relationships and building parenting confidence.

For upcoming program dates, please contact our admin team.

Sessions are held at our Glebe and Stanmore locations. Both are easily accessible for families in the Inner West and broader Sydney area.

No. Parenting programs are not eligible for Medicare rebates, including those connected to a Mental Health Care Plan.

Please check directly with your health care provider to determine whether any rebates apply for group psychological services.

The first consultation is 50 minutes. Follow-up consultations are also 50 minutes each. For formal assessments, such as autism or educational assessments, we will let you know in advance how many sessions are likely to be involved.

Before your appointment, we’ll ask you to complete forms relating to your child’s medical, developmental and educational history. Our admin team will let you know if any additional documents are needed.

Availability can vary, but our admin team will let you know the soonest possible appointment times and keep you updated. We always do our best to minimise waiting periods for children who need support.

We know that starting therapy can feel like a big step for families. Many parents find it helpful to prepare their child by talking openly about what to expect.

You may like to read our resource on Talking to Your Child About Going to Therapy, which offers practical tips for making the first appointment feel more comfortable and positive.

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person processes information, communicates, and relates to others and the world around them. It’s called a spectrum because individuals experience autism in very different ways, with their own unique mix of strengths and challenges.

Signs of autism often appear in early childhood, but they can vary depending on age, personality, and developmental stage.

Some common signs include:

Social Interaction

• Limited eye contact or reduced social engagement

• Preferring to play alone

• Difficulty interpreting social cues (like gestures or facial expressions)

• Not pointing, waving, or using other social gestures

• Not responding to their name or showing interest in others

Communication

• Delayed speech or language development

• Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)

• Speaking in a very direct or literal way

• Difficulty understanding jokes, sarcasm, or non-verbal cues

• Less interest in pretend play or small talk

Sensory processing

• Sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, or smells

• Discomfort with certain clothes, foods, or physical touch

• Distress in busy or noisy environments

• Strong preferences or aversions that seem unusual for their age

Repetitive behaviours and routines

• Repetitive movements like hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning

• Strong need for routine; distress with change

• Narrow or intense interests

• Repetitive play (e.g. lining up toys or focusing on one part of a toy)

It’s important to remember that every child is different. Some signs might be subtle, while others are more noticeable. If you’re concerned about your child’s development, or if you’ve noticed a loss of previously learned skills, it’s a good idea to speak with your GP, paediatrician, or a psychologist experienced in autism assessments.

A comprehensive diagnostic assessment is the best way to understand whether your child may be on the autism spectrum and what supports might help.

There’s no single known cause of autism. Current research suggests that it’s likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors that affect brain development early in life.

Autism often runs in families, which suggests a hereditary component. But it’s important to remember that no one is to blame and nothing you did or didn’t do caused your child’s autism.

Scientists are still learning more about how and why autism develops, but what we do know is that early support can make a meaningful difference in helping children thrive.

An autism spectrum assessment is a structured process used to determine whether a child meets the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It involves gathering detailed information about your child’s development, communication, behaviour, and everyday functioning.

At Sydney Children’s Practice, assessments are conducted by psychologists with training in neurodevelopmental conditions.

The process typically includes:

• Standardised assessment tools

• Parent interviews

• Observation of your child

• Input from teachers or other professionals where appropriate

Every child is different, so the approach is tailored to their needs. Some assessments may be carried out by a single clinician, while others may involve a team. The goal is to build a complete picture that supports an accurate and meaningful diagnosis.

Multiple appointments are required for a full autism assessment.

There are usually 4 - 5 appointments at the Sydney Children's Practice, depending on the child's age and the scope of information that our clinical team requires.

• 1 x Intake session - 60-90 minutes

• 1 x ADOS-2 session - Approximately 1 hour

• 1 x ADI-R session - 2.5-3 hours

• 1 x Cognitive testing session - Up to 2 hours. (if required)

• 1 x Feedback session - 50-60 minutes

Yes, Medicare rebates may be available if your child is referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist under the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder (CND) assessment pathway.

This referral allows rebates to be applied to up to four key components of the assessment, including:

• Intake session

• ADOS-2 session

• ADI-R interview

• Feedback session

To be eligible, the assessment must be conducted by a fully registered psychologist (not provisional). All autism assessments at Sydney Children’s Practice are completed by trained, fully registered psychologists who meet this requirement.

If you’re unsure whether your referral qualifies, our team is happy to guide you through the process.

Some private health funds do offer partial rebates for psychological assessments, including autism assessments. Coverage varies widely between providers and policies, so it’s best to check directly with your fund to see what’s included.

If you need help understanding what questions to ask or what information to provide, our team is happy to assist.

• If you’d like to learn more about autism, diagnosis, and support options, these resources are a helpful starting point:The Australian Government’s National Autism Strategy - Australia's national plan for improving services, support, and inclusion for autistic people and their families.

• Autism our kids, our stories - Australia's national plan for improving services, support, and inclusion for autistic people and their families.

• Autism Awareness Australia – An accessible hub for information, community programs, and tools for families and educators.

Researchers don’t yet know what causes ADHD. There is however, evidence to suggest that it can be genetic and hereditary, but research is ongoing to discover more about its origins and causes.

We do know that ADHD is a neurobiological disorder, meaning it’s a condition that affects the structure or function of the brain and nervous system. It is not a learning disability nor a behavioural disorder, and nor is it a mental illness.

It is a chronic condition that presents before a child is 12 years old and can continue into adulthood.Some children are as young as three when they first exhibit noticeable symptoms of ADHD.Symptoms present differently in boys and girls and can look different at different stages of a person’s life

Significant progress has been made in the field of ADHD in recent times, notably through the release of new Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD in 2022. These national guidelines paved the way for meaningful change in the way that people with ADHD are identified, diagnosed, treated and supported.

Once all the information and data has been collected, it is interpreted by an ADHD psychologist to evaluate the child or adolescent’s core ADHD symptoms across different settings and to rule out other possible explanations for their behaviours. They will then make a diagnosis and prepare a comprehensive report for you.

An ADHD Assessment is an important step in being able to positively support a young person who is living with the condition. While ADHD is a lifelong condition, the assessment process enables psychologists to make a diagnosis and provide recommendations for a management plan to help support the child in their daily life.

No. Medicare rebates aren’t available for ADHD assessments – even if your child or adolescent is under a Mental Health Care Plan.

Some private health funds may offer partial rebates for psychology assessments. This will depend on the provider and the level of cover that you have, so we encourage you to check with your insurer to determine your family’s specific circumstances.

ADHD is a lifelong chronic condition and while it can’t be cured and people won’t ‘grow out’ of it, it can be treated. With the right support children can manage symptoms effectively and thrive.

Sydney Children’s Practice follows the Australian clinical guidelines when it comes to ADHD assessment and therapy, and we tailor every client’s treatment and support strategy according to their personal circumstances.

ADHD treatment often involves a combination of approaches, sometimes called “multimodal therapy.”

Non-medical interventions include:

· Lifestyle changes

· Education programmes for parents and families (eg time management)

· Behavioural management therapy

· Psychological counselling

· ADHD coaching and training

· Mindfulness therapy

· Breathwork

· Exercise

Pharmacological Treatment of ADHD

Around one in a hundred Australian children takes medication to manage their ADHD symptoms.

Different types of medications are prescribed for ADHD symptoms, including stimulants and non-stimulants as well as other treatments to manage co-occurring issues such as anxiety or sleep disorders.

Medications always have to be prescribed by a medical doctor such as a paediatrician or a psychiatrist (not a psychologist).

If you’d like to learn more about ADHD or are looking for more information on child ADHD assessments and diagnosis, you may find the following resources helpful:

1. Benefits of ADHD screening for adults and children - ADHD Foundation

2. ADHD – when to see your doctor (HealthDirect)

3. When stress takes over – A science-backed solution for teens and adults (ADHD Support Australia)

Sydney Children’s Practice offers a warm comfortable environment for an initial discussion about your current concerns. Upon arrival you will be greeted by our friendly administrative team who will introduce you to your practitioner. The aim of the initial assessment is to gain an understanding of the concerns of both parent and child, to enable us to develop a treatment plan. Relevant information relating to the child’s development, medical history, family and school situation may be collected prior to the session. The session allows time for parents and the child to speak with the psychologist both individually and together so comprehensive decisions, strategies and goals can be formulated.

This will vary depending on the reason for your visit. Often we encourage families to bring any school reports that may be relevant, and other reports from treating health practitioners. Sydney Children’s Practice will advise you of any specific requirements in advance of your visit.

The number of sessions needed varies on a case by case basis, and will be discussed with you at the conclusion of the initial visit.

You will need to consult your General Practitioner or Paediatrician who will decide whether your child’s concerns meet the criteria for a Mental Health Care Plan to be created.

You will need to bring your referral on your first visit. We can then process the Medicare rebate for you at this and subsequent sessions.

This will depend on your particular health fund and the level of cover. Please check with your health fund.