Assessments
ADHD • Cognitive • Dyslexia • Autism
Helping you understand your child’s needs.
As a parent, it’s natural to want to understand your child’s needs. Once you do, you can make informed choices about the supports that will help them to thrive, not just ‘cope’.
Maybe you’ve noticed your child’s needs seem different from their peers, or you’re wondering about specific learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia or even giftedness. Perhaps you’re exploring the possibility of neurodivergence, like autism or ADHD. Kids First’s caring team is here to help with comprehensive assessments to help you make informed choices for your child.
At Kids First, we keep our assessments as positive and hassle-free as possible. Our therapists respect your insights and take the time to get a full picture of your child’s struggles before any testing begins.
Whether your doctor has requested an assessment as part of a diagnostic process, or a teacher has highlighted that your child’s behaviour, learning, or communication is different from their peers, we can help put your mind at ease.
Assessments at Kids First
Cognitive Assessments (Ages 4-18)
Are you curious about your child’s natural learning ability? Cognitive assessments, also known as IQ tests, reveal how your child thinks and processes information. By understanding their cognitive strengths and challenges, you can work with your child’s educators to create a tailored learning plan that ensures your son or daughter gets the right support, opening doors to additional resources and opportunities.
Autism Assessments
Have you noticed that your child’s social interactions, communication, or behaviour seem different from their peers? An autism assessment can provide clarity and help you understand your child’s unique profile. A diagnosis can explain why they may not be meeting developmental milestones or exhibiting repetitive behaviours and interests. With this insight, you can access the right support and interventions to help your child thrive at home and in school or preschool.
Psychoeducational Assessments
Are you concerned that your child’s learning or behaviour doesn’t seem to align with their potential? A psychoeducational assessment combines cognitive and educational tests to give a complete picture of your child’s abilities. This comprehensive evaluation helps you and your child’s teachers create tailored strategies that support their academic and social success. It also highlights areas where additional resources, support, or interventions might be needed, ensuring your child has every opportunity to thrive.
Behavioural Assessments
Have your child’s teachers mentioned concerns about their behaviour? A behavioural assessment can help uncover the root causes, whether it’s inattention, impulsivity, or social difficulties. These assessments also explore whether ADHD or other factors are contributing to your child’s behaviour and learning difficulties. The results can guide the development of tailored support plans, and may reveal links to learning differences or giftedness, ensuring your child gets the specific support they need.
Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties Assessments
Does your child find reading and writing difficult? Dyslexia assessments explore how your child processes language, identifying whether reading, writing challenges or other learning challenges are linked to specific learning difficulties like dyslexia. These assessments provide clear guidance for teachers too, ensuring your child receives the right literacy and learning support and, where needed, access to resources or accommodations.
Functional and Adaptive Behaviour Assessments
Does your child struggle with daily activities like dressing or interacting with others? Functional and adaptive behaviour assessments assess how your child handles everyday tasks. This information helps families build practical support strategies that improve your child’s independence and functioning at home and in the community.
Speech, Language, & Literacy Assessments
Is your child struggling with communication, understanding instructions, or literacy skills? Our speech, language, and literacy assessments provide insights into what’s behind these difficulties. Whether your child finds it hard to speak clearly, follow directions, or has challenges due to a medical condition, our speech pathologists can help. We also offer literacy assessments for reading and writing issues, ensuring your child receives the targeted support they need to succeed in school.
Handwriting & fine motor skills
Does your child struggle with tasks that require coordination, like handwriting or self-care? A fine motor skills assessment can identify the underlying issues. Our occupational therapists provide standardised assessments to support applications for exam accommodations. Most importantly, we help you understand the cause of your child’s challenges and recommend therapies to improve their coordination and independence, giving them the tools they need to succeed in both daily tasks and learning.
Our Family Friendly Assessment Process
Give us a call.
We’ll explain how our assessment program works and book a time for you to meet a member of our experienced team.
Get together as Grown-Ups
Make an informed choice. Before any testing begins, meet with one of our clinicians to privately discuss your child’s individual needs
Testing should not be a Trial
Experience a warm Kids First welcome. Your child’s skills will be evaluated in a comfortable, inviting environment using gold-standard testing protocols.
Results and Recommendations
Be equipped and empowered. Our comprehensive written assessment report and feedback session will help you (and your child’s teachers and doctors) to identify what help is needed and where your son or daughter’s strengths and challenges lie.
Why Choose
Kids First?
Our comprehensive assessments provide clarity and the chance to make informed choices
Deep Understanding
Compassionate
Holistic Support
See What Our Amazing Community has to Say…
Having all his therapies under the same roof is fantastic. The therapists will talk to each other and will often suggest things for each other to work on with my child. This inclusive approach makes me feel like all the bases are being covered. It also takes the pressure off me as a parent to relay messages to different therapists. I also love that they will liaise with my child’s day care so everyone involved in his care are working toward the same goals.
At our Early Learning Service, we appreciate Kids First support for our children and families. We also find the guidance offered extremely helpful for our practice with children who require additional supports or strategies. Our team always thoroughly enjoy Sonja’s professional development evenings and knowledge.
The assessment process was amazing and very thorough. It gave us a roadmap that made it very easy to understand and follow. We were supported with information along the way, not just for my son but myself as well.
Book a call with Kids First
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I call Kids First?
In our experience, a parent’s ‘gut instinct’ is very rarely wrong. If you are concerned about any aspect of your child’s learning at school or pre-school, or if your child has language, behaviour, or motor coordination problems, give us a call now.
If nothing else, the advice you receive might give you peace of mind
Do I need a doctor’s referral before I bring my child to Kids First?
What qualifications do Kids First’s clinicians have?
Every member of Kids First’s team is a university-educated professional with years of practical experience in clinics, community health, private practice, preschools, and schools.
Kids First’s professionals are members of nationally recognised professional associations such as:
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Speech Pathology Australia
- The Australian Psychological Society
- OT Australia
- Australian Counselling Association
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Visit our Meet The Team page for more information.
Can I use my health fund at Kids First?
Can I get a Medicare rebate for Kids First health services?
Yes, many of our families claim rebates from Medicare for speech pathology, occupational therapy, and child psychology services at Kids First.
There are several types of plans for which your child might be eligible, including:
- Better Access to Mental Health Care Plan
- Chronic Disease Management Plan
- Team Care Arrangement
- GP Management Plan
- Helping Children with Autism Plan
The only person who can set up a Medicare Plan for your child is your GP or paediatrician.
Your doctor needs to register your child’s plan with Medicare before you can claim a rebate for an appointment with us, so please chat with your doctor about your child’s needs.
