FAQs
Do you offer psychological services other than assessments?
We can offer some post assessment services. The list of these can be found here.
Unfortunately, we do not currently provide ongoing therapy services. This may change in the future as our team dynamic changes. You will however, be provided with recommendations or referrals during the final feedback appointment, for post assessment services.
We can suggest reaching out to the team at Mountains of Care www.mountainsofcare.com.au, Every Green Psychology Services in Seacliff www.evergreenpsych.com.au or The Calming Suite www.thecalmingsuite.com.au who all offer therapy services.
I need more than one assessment type done, do I need to do these separately?
In most cases, no! We are pleased to even offer a basic ADHD assessment as a FREE inclusion with any Autism assessment or Educational assessment.
For any other assessment combinations, it is generally more time and cost effective to combine the assessments as some components are likely to cover both. Please reach out to us regarding pricing and required appointments if you are needing to combine more than one assessment type.
For multiple children being assessed in the same family, each child will need to be done as a stand-alone assessment.
What are my payment options?
We accept Visa, Mastercard or Debit card payments. You can either pay online, over the phone or use the EFTPOS terminal in the clinic on the day. We also accept direct deposit or cash payment but please note, no change is kept at the clinic so the correct amount is appreciated. As of April 2023, Afterpay cards can now be accepted in-clinic. Please click HERE for more information on fees and payments.
Can I use Private Health Care cover to pay for my assessments?
Many private health care providers will cover psychological services and assessments, some do not. Each family’s cover can be different, so it is recommended that you contact your private health care provider to ask whether this is included under your specific health care plan.
We can process claims through the clinic EFTPOS terminal on the day of your appointment, where you will only be required to pay the gap, if a rebate is provided. Alternatively, once full payment has been made, you can submit the invoice receipt we provide to your health fund to claim your rebate.
If your private health provider requires additional details to quote you on your rebate entitlements, you may provide them with the below information. You can also download a copy of an invoice example here.
Psychologists name: Mr Alex Strauss
Psychologist’s provider number: 5666584K
Item number (initial consultation): 100
Item number (assessment appointment): 200
Can I use a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) to get a Medicare Rebate?
Unfortunately, Medicare rebates cannot be provided in most circumstances for the assessment services provided.
Medicare will provide a partial rebate for an Autism (ASD) assessment, under these very specific circumstances:
The referral must be made to the clinical psychologist by a paediatrician or psychiatrist for collaboration under Helping Children With Autism (HCWA) initiative.
The child must be younger than 13
The paediatrician or consultant psychiatrist must already have developed a treatment plan for that young person.
If these criteria are met, the rebate is approximately $96.65 per assessment appointment for a maximum of 4 appointments, which means the maximum rebate available on an Autism assessment would be approximately $386.
(In circumstances where the child is considered to have a disability, a G.P. can make the referral for the Autism assessment and the family may receive the four rebates, rather than requiring a paediatrician or psychiatrist. For a full list of eligible disabilities, for these purposes, please click here)
If you are wanting to claim this rebate, you will need to have this referral prior to attending your appointment with us.
Can I use NDIS funds to pay for my assessments?
The NDIS unfortunately does not cover diagnostic assessments, regardless of how the plan is managed.
What do I need to bring to the assessment appointment?
On the day of assessment, your child will be likely working with the psychologist for a long period of time, you may wish to bring something to occupy yourself with such as a book or laptop. There is also a fantastic coffee shop directly next door to our clinic.
How long does it take to receive the report?
Reports are generally ready up to 8 weeks following the assessment, although we endeavour to have them to you as soon as possible. We are able to provide you with a digital and/or a hard copy of the report based on your preferences.
Who will see the report?
A copy will be distributed to yourself and the referring clinician, if you were referred to our service by a G.P. or Paediatrician. You can share this document with your child’s teacher, school counsellor, speech therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist or anyone else you believe may benefit from reading it.
Can I use your reports to apply for NDIS funding?
Absolutely, although there is no guarantee that the report will secure NDIS funding as it tends to be dependent on the diagnoses and whether they contribute to a lifelong disability.
Sometimes navigating the post assessment applications and paperwork can be overwhelming for families.
If you would like assistance with completing applications for funding support, where a relevant diagnosis has been provided, our psychologist is more than happy to support with these as a complementary service.
Please let us know, at any time during or following the assessment process, if this is something you would like support with.
I thought I needed two separate practitioners to sign off on an Autism diagnosis in SA, is that not the case?
The NDIS is a national body with standardised requirements across the country.
The South Australian Department of Education previously required a dual diagnosis from two clinicians (Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist) for a diagnosis of Autism to garner funding support. Recent changes within the Department of Education have been made to ASD funding criteria, to the effect that a clinical psychologist can now make a sole diagnosis; provided that there is an accompanying assessment report that refers and draws upon DSM-V criteria. Our clinical reports contain standardised data from formal assessments that draw upon and refer to DSM-V criteria.
A sole clinician at this clinic can perform a clinical assessment and provide a diagnosis of autism; however, if the assessment is highly complicated, subtle, nuanced or we are not entirely confident in the conclusion, we will still refer onto another clinician (usually a paediatrician) for a second opinion as is an ethically standard practice.
Please note, Autism SA still currently requires a dual diagnosis to register with them. Registration will get you access to their library, newly diagnosed support as well as pre and post NDIS planning support.
You can, however, still access most of their services like groups and programs, using NDIS funding or FFS (Fee for service). They have also recently updated their School Inclusion Program, through the Department of Education, for students with a single practitioner diagnosis.
Can I change or cancel my appointment?
Please refer to our cancellation policy HERE.