FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What are the costs involved in an assessment?
A: When you initially enquire, an email will be sent detailing the entire costs involved throughout the assessment process. These include the initial intake and following assessment sessions, diagnostic measures/assessment tool administration costs, and the scoring and report writing time.
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Q: When are payments due?
A: Payment is due at each assessment session to ensure the following steps of the assessment can proceed. The scoring and report writing costs can be paid with a payment plan but must be paid in full before the final report will be released.
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Q: I am unsure what assessment is required, can an assessment still be done?
A: Yes. An initial intake session would be recommended to discuss the individual needs and determine if an assessment would be beneficial or other recommendations would be a better fit for you.
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Q: Can an assessment report from Peachy Brains be used to access supports or used to begin the NDIS application process?
A: Our assessment reports are comprehensive diagnostic assessment reports. NDIS have certain requirements for access and state on their website that Autism diagnosis requires the applicant is "diagnosed by a specialist multi-disciplinary team, paediatrician, psychiatrist or clinical psychologist". Peachy Brains work in collaboration with other Allied Health Professionals and a multidisciplinary approach is available when you require the assessment report for NDIS access without the collaboration of a paediatrician or psychiatrist. This requirement can be discussed in the initial intake interview process.
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Q: What is involved in the assessment process?
A: Most assessments include an initial intake session, questionnaires, assessment measures completed by the individual and an observer/family member, and multiple assessment sessions involving the administration of standardised tests. The assessment process often incorporates the involvement of other people e.g., a close family member or individual that has known the client across their lifespan.
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Q: Do I need to provide reports or information from other sources?
A: Depending on what assessment is being undertaken, previous diagnostic reports, letters from therapists or specialists, or school reports may be requested by your psychologist and useful to incorporate in the assessment report.
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Q: Can I use medicare or my NDIS funding to pay toward the assessment costs?
A: Unfortunately medicare rebates and NDIS funding are not usually able to be used toward payment costs for diagnostic assessments. Medicare funding is available under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders or the Medicare Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) scheme. Medicare access and rebates are available for up to four sessions to undertake assessments. Access to Medicare funding for Autism assessment sessions require a referral from a paediatrician or child psychiatrist.
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Q: What if I do not meet the requirements of a diagnosis from the assessment process?
A: If you do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis, the assessment is still a beneficial process. Peach Brains provide a comprehensive report that includes valuable insight into areas of your life and suggest alternative diagnoses or areas where therapeutic support may be beneficial. A detailed feedback session will be provided to discuss recommendations and outcomes, with a detailed list of tailored recommendations to assist with understanding your daily living strengths, challenges and needs.
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Q: Where are you located?
A: Peachy Brains operate on Mondays from the offices of Bambini Allied Health - Bli Bli (Shop 110/310 David Low Way, Bli Bli QLD 4560). Peachy Brains also offer other assessment appointments via telehealth or on-campus at some Schools on the Sunshine Coast (where approval has been given and discussed with the individual school).​​