DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENTS

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Developmental assessments are typically conducted for young children (about 12 months to 5 years old) to evaluate their progress across a broad range of developmental areas. This type of assessment gives parents (and teachers) an overview of a child’s strengths and weaknesses in areas such as cognitive abilities, fine and gross motor skills, language acquisition, and social development. Early assessment can highlight any developmental delays or concerns, allowing for timely intervention during these crucial early years.
A developmental assessment with our child psychology clinic usually involves interviews with parents, structured observations of the child at play, and the administration of age-appropriate, standardised tests. We then compile an individualised report that pinpoints any areas that may require extra support. The report also provides personalised recommendations to help your child reach their full developmental potential.

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COGNITIVE (IQ) ASSESSMENTS

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Cognitive assessments measure a child’s intellectual abilities and thinking skills through the administration of standardised IQ tests. We may recommend a cognitive (IQ) assessment if a child is experiencing learning difficulties compared to their peers or if there are reasons to believe they might be intellectually gifted. Understanding a child’s cognitive profile can clarify why they may be struggling with age-expected tasks and help in planning appropriate educational support or extension.

 

Our registered psychologists use well-established IQ tests as part of our paediatric psychology services, including:

• Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV): Designed for young children ages 2 years 6 months up to 7 years 7 months.

• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V): Used for school-aged children roughly 6 to 16 years old.

• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS): Appropriate for adolescents 16 and older (used when an IQ assessment is needed beyond the upper age limit of the WISC-V).

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Using these gold-standard tools, our clinic can determine your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The results from a cognitive assessment help us and your family make informed decisions about your child’s education – whether that means identifying the need for additional learning support or providing enrichment for gifted abilities.

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ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ASSESSMENTS

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Academic achievement assessments are administered to gauge how your child is performing in school-related skills compared to age or grade expectations. These evaluations measure a range of academic abilities and can identify specific learning disorders or areas where your child might be underperforming relative to their potential. By pinpointing academic strengths and weaknesses, we can recommend targeted strategies (such as tutoring or classroom accommodations) to support your child’s learning.

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Academic testing at Rowe & Associates typically covers key skill areas, including:

• Reading: e.g. sight-word recognition and reading comprehension

• Phonics and Spelling: understanding letter-sound relationships and correct spelling

• Mathematics: number sense, calculations, and problem-solving skills

• Language: oral expression and written language abilities

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To thoroughly assess these areas, our psychologists use the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III), a widely respected standardised test of academic achievement. An academic assessment may be done on its own or in conjunction with an IQ test. Combining both cognitive and academic results can provide insight into issues like specific learning disorders (for example, a reading disorder such as dyslexia) or whether a child is underperforming in school relative to their innate ability. We then provide detailed feedback and recommendations to help address any academic challenges identified.​

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BEHAVIOURAL ASSESSMENTS

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Behavioural assessments focus on understanding emotional and behavioural difficulties that a child may be exhibiting. If your child struggles with attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, defiance, or other challenging behaviours, a behavioural assessment can determine whether they meet the criteria for common childhood conditions.

 

We can assess for issues such as:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

• Conduct Disorder (CD)

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Our experienced child psychologists will gather information through parent and child interviews, behaviour checklists, and observations to evaluate these concerns.

 

The goal of a behavioural assessment is to identify the root causes of the behaviour and provide a clear diagnosis (if applicable). With this understanding, we can develop an effective support plan for your child. Often, this plan includes practical behaviour management strategies for home and school, and it may involve recommendations for child behavioural therapy or parent training to address the identified issues.

 

By tackling behavioural problems early, we help families restore harmony at home and improve the child’s functioning in everyday settings.

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AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)​​​

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions that affect how a child communicates, interacts socially, and behaves. Children on the autism spectrum often experience difficulties with social interaction and communication, may engage in repetitive behaviours or have highly focused interests, and can have unique strengths or delays in cognitive and language development. Because ASD presents differently in every child – from mild to more pronounced challenges – a careful and comprehensive evaluation is essential for an accurate diagnosis.

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Assessing for autism at our South Hurstville child psychology clinic is a thorough process.

 

Our autism assessments are individualised to each child and may include some or all of the following components:

• Parent/Caregiver Interviews: In-depth discussions with parents or guardians to understand developmental history, current concerns, and the child’s behaviour in different settings.

• Teacher/Preschool Interviews: When appropriate, we also gather input from teachers or childcare providers about the child’s social and learning experiences.

• Direct Observations: Observing the child both at our clinic and in natural environments (such as their preschool or school) to see social interactions, play behaviour, and responses to various situations.

• Cognitive Assessment: An IQ test or developmental evaluation to examine the child’s cognitive level, which helps distinguish between intellectual delays and social-communication issues.

• Autism-Specific Testing: Using evidence-based tools, such as the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and the ASRS (Autism Spectrum Rating Scale), which help quantify autism-related traits.

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Using this multi-faceted approach, our paediatric psychology team can determine whether your child meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder. We take care to explain the results in detail and outline the next steps. If an ASD diagnosis is given, we will guide you toward appropriate supports for your child – for example, behavioural intervention plans, speech or occupational therapy, social skills training, and school-based accommodations. Early identification of ASD can open the door to effective interventions that significantly improve a child’s communication skills and quality of life.

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Telehealth Child Psychology Services

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We understand that it’s not always easy for families to attend in-person appointments. To improve accessibility, Rowe & Associates offers telehealth child psychology services for certain assessments and therapy sessions. Through secure video conferencing, our child psychologists can conduct initial consultations, parent interviews, and some follow-up appointments remotely. This means you can access our expert child therapy services from the comfort of your own home, which is especially helpful if you live outside the South Hurstville area or have a busy schedule.

 

Our telehealth sessions maintain the same level of care and confidentiality as in-clinic visits. We ensure that all telehealth assessments are conducted effectively – for example, by guiding parents in setting up the right environment for a child’s online assessment or observation. While some tests and interactions are best done face-to-face, many aspects of child mental health evaluation and support can be managed via telehealth. This flexible service allows us to continue providing high-quality care to your family, no matter the circumstance.

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Our telehealth child psychology services allow families in St. George NSW and beyond to receive expert guidance in areas such as parent consultations, behavioural interventions, and emotional wellbeing support.

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Contact Our South Hurstville Child Psychology Clinic

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If you are seeking a child psychologist in the St George or Sutherland Shire, Rowe & Associates provides expert assessments tailored to your child’s individual needs. Our team is committed to delivering evidence-based evaluations and practical recommendations to support your child’s development.

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📞 Contact us today to book an appointment or speak with one of our experienced child psychologists. We are here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your child receives the support they need to thrive.

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