Comprehensive Child and Educational Assessments in Bentleigh East
Understanding How Your Child Learns, Thrives and Reaches Their Potential
Are you noticing your child struggle with reading, focus or school anxiety?
Is your child getting frustrated because learning feels so hard, no matter how hard they try?
With 27 years of specialised experience in schools, Lara provides compassionate, individualised cognitive, academic, ADHD and Autism assessments for children, teens and young adults from her beautiful rooms in Bentleigh East
A Warm, Child-Centered Approach to Assessment
Having spent 27 years working inside schools, first as a classroom teacher, then as a special educator and for the last 17 years, as a school psychologist, I have seen first hand the transformative impact of the right assessment.
When a young person completes an assessment, they are asked to be brave, vulnerable and trust an adult with tasks they may feel are difficult. Here is how my approach is different:
Individual Behavioural Observations: Every report includes rich, meaningful observations of how your child actually approached those challenges during testing. This gives both you and their teachers vital insight into how their mind works, beyond just scores on a page.
Strengths- Based Approach: I am a firm believer in the importance of knowing your child's strengths just as much as understanding their challenges. In my assessments and reports, I focus on uncovering your child’s unique strengths and showing how they can be used to support areas for growth.
Practical Strategies for School & Home
An assessment should lead to real support, not just a list of scores. I provide realistic, individualised recommendations designed for everyday life:
For the Classroom: Feasible accommodations and teaching strategies grounded in my 27+ years in school environments.
For the Home: Gentle, practical adjustments parents can use to support learning, routine, and your relationship with your child.
Does my child need an assessment?
Every child has a unique brain that learns and develops at its own pace.
You might consider an assessment if your child:
Struggles with learning: Finds reading, writing, spelling, or maths challenging despite extra help at home or school.
Finds focus & organization hard: Is easily distracted, struggles to follow multi-step instructions, or finds everyday routines overwhelming.
Struggles to retain information: Has difficulty remembering or recalling key concepts they’ve previously learned.
Shows signs of school distress: Experiences anxiety, emotional outbursts, or "school can't" / attendance resistance during the term.
Navigates social or emotional hurdles: Finds it challenging to make or keep friends, read social cues, or manage big, overwhelming emotions.
Has been recommended for an evaluation: A teacher, GP, paediatrician, or childcare worker has suggested getting a deeper picture of how their brain works.
Assessment Packages and Pricing
Assessment packages include comprehensive testing sessions with Lara, a fully customised report with detailed recommendations, and a dedicated parent feedback session.
| Assessment Service | Focus & Purpose | What's Included | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Step: Assessment Intake | Essential initial consultation to explore your child's history, goals, and map out the right assessment pathway. | • 50-minute clinical interview • Developmental & school history review • Individualised assessment plan |
$255(Billed separately prior to testing) |
| Cognitive / Intellectual Assessment | Understanding thinking styles, problem-solving, cognitive strengths, and learning potential. | • Comprehensive testing (WISC-V / WPPSI-IV) • Detailed written report with practical recommendations • Parent feedback session |
$1,205 |
| Cognitive-Educational Assessment | Investigating specific learning differences (e.g., Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia) and academic achievement. | • Cognitive + Academic achievement testing (WIAT-III) • Comprehensive report tailored for school support • Parent feedback session |
$2,005($1,205 if recent cognitive assessment completed) |
| Cognitive-Educational & ADHD Assessment | Exploring learning profile alongside attention, focus, executive functioning, and behavioural concerns. | • Cognitive + Academic achievement testing • Standardised ADHD rating scales (parent, teacher, self) • Clinical interview & observation • Comprehensive report & feedback |
$2,505($1,505 if recent cognitive assessment completed) |
| Standalone ADHD Assessment | Targeted evaluation of executive functioning, attention, impulsivity, and daily impact. | • Clinical interview & developmental mapping • Standardised rating scales (parent, client, school) • Tailored report & parent feedback session |
$805($1,805 when combined with cognitive testing) |
| Cognitive & Functional Capacity Assessment | Evaluating cognitive profile alongside everyday adaptive skills, social communication, and NDIS/funding needs. | • Cognitive testing + Adaptive functioning assessment • School or kindergarten observation • Comprehensive report & parent feedback |
$2,005 |
| Comprehensive Autism Assessment | Neuroaffirming identification of Autism profiles, strengths, and support needs. | • Gold-standard evaluation tools (ADOS-2 / MIGDAS-2) • In-depth parent interview & Functional Assessment • Cognitive assessment (included if needed) • Detailed report & parent feedback |
$2,755 |
| Comprehensive Neurodevelopmental Package | Complete, holistic evaluation across Autism, ADHD, learning differences, and cognitive profile. | • Gold-standard Autism evaluation (ADOS-2 / MIGDAS-2) • ADHD interviews & standardized rating scales • Educational & Cognitive testing • Functional assessment, integrated report & feedback |
$3,755 |
| Observational Behavioural Assessment | Observing learning engagement, emotional regulation, and social interactions in the educational setting. | • On-site school or kindergarten observation • Practical summary report & classroom strategies |
$505 |
Assessment Fees and Policies
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Because independent practices require significant preparation and upfront test material costs, we do not bill as a single lump sum. We split the cost into three manageable steps:
Part 1: Intake Session The assessment process begins with an intial intake session in which Lara will take a full developmental history and explore the goals of assessment, finally laying out an assessment plan and discussing the total cost. This session costs $250 dollars which you will be required to pay on the day of appointment.
Part 2: Booking Deposit A $500 deposit is required at the time of scheduling. This secures your multi-hour calendar slots, initiates your paperwork, and allows us to purchase your customized digital testing. Dates are provisionally held for 48 hours and locked in once the deposit clears.
Part 3 :The Remaining Balance – The remaining balance of your package is automatically processed on the morning of your final face-to-face testing session.
Thel last two payment dates will be documented and discussed with you in the initial assessment intake session.
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Once your final payment has gone through, Lara will begin the report writing process.
You should receive a full report within 2-4 weeks of the final assessment session.
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With 5 business days or more notice, you can reschedule assessment appointments free of charge.
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Unlike a standard 50-minute counselling session, a face-to-face assessment appointment can be up to 2 hours long, depending on the age of the client. These large windows are incredibly difficult to fill at short notice.
It is therefore important to know that if you reschedule an assessment appointment with less than 5 business days notice, you will incur a $250 cancellation fee.
If you cancel on the day, or do not show up for an assessment appointment, you will be charged a $500 cancellation fee.
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If you or your child wakes up unwell on testing day, please let Lara know immediately. Testing someone who is sick heavily compromises the accuracy of the results. We will waive the fee and reschedule your day if a medical certificate is provided.
Not sure what assessment you need or want to book an assessment?
If you have any questions about which package fits your needs, or if you're ready to secure a booking, please click below to fill out our initial enquiry form.