Understanding Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis
Many families, school staff, and professionals find the psychological assessment and diagnosis process confusing—especially when exploring neurodevelopmental or mental health concerns. With no single, standard pathway, it can be frustrating to know where to start. This guide addresses common myths and explains how assessments work at Perception Psychology Mackay.
MYTH: Psychologists Can’t Diagnose Autism
Psychologists can diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but best practice requires a multidisciplinary approach—meaning more than one professional is involved in confirming the diagnosis.
This may include a psychologist, paediatrician, psychiatrist, and/or allied health practitioners such as speech pathologists or occupational therapists. Each professional brings a different perspective to ensure a complete understanding of the child’s needs.
At Perception Psychology Mackay, we use a comprehensive battery of reliable and valid standardised tools to assess communication, social understanding, behaviour, and emotional functioning. These tools help us form a clear and accurate picture across different settings.
We then work collaboratively with other medical or allied health professionals to confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate support.
Note: The ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) is commonly used but not required for an autism diagnosis. It is one of several valid tools. True “gold standard” assessment includes multiple assessment tools and multidisciplinary input—not one tool alone.
MYTH: Psychologists Can’t Diagnose
Psychologists can and do diagnose mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. They are specifically trained in clinical assessment and diagnosis.
Psychologists frequently assess and diagnose ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, learning disorders, and more. In fact, for some diagnoses—such as Intellectual Disability and Specific Learning Disorders—a psychological assessment is required, as these can onlybe diagnosed by a psychologist.
Psychologists can also diagnose ADHD, with paediatricians or psychiatrists sometimes reviewing the assessment if medication is being considered. However, medical involvement is not required to confirm the diagnosis.
MYTH: A Paediatrician or Psychiatrist Can Diagnose Without Psychological Assessment
While paediatricians and psychiatrists can diagnose conditions using clinical interviews or screening tools, these often don’t provide a full picture of the client’s strengths, challenges, or support needs.
Psychological assessments offer in-depth, structured evaluation and provide a detailed report with tailored recommendations for home, school, and therapy settings.
Medical professionals often request psychological assessments to support or confirm their diagnosis. If this happens after initial screening has already been done, it may result in repeated testing and added cost for families.
MYTH: School Staff Must Determine if Assessment is Needed
Some schools hesitate to complete assessment forms, believing they need to "pre-determine" the need for assessment. However, input from school staff is essential—especially when assessing learning, behaviour, or emotional regulation.
Even if teachers haven’t noticed issues, it’s still important that school staff provide feedback. Many children mask symptoms at school but show challenges in other environments. Psychologists use this information to understand the full picture and apply appropriate diagnostic criteria.
MYTH: I Need a Referral to See a Psychologist
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist. However, if you're eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), you may be able to access Medicare rebates through your GP.
For assessments, the process at Perception Psychology usually involves:
- Booking an initial/intake appointment
- Discussing your concerns and history
- Receiving a quote outlining the number of sessions and total cost. You can then decide whether to proceed based on your needs and budget.
Suggested Pathways to Assessment & Diagnosis
Cognitive / Learning Assessments
(For Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disorders)
- Concerns identified by parents or school staff
- Rule out hearing, vision, or medical issues
- Contact a psychologist to arrange assessment
- Complete psychometric assessment
- Share the psychological report with school staff, GP, or other professionals
Mental Health / Neurodevelopmental Assessments
(For ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Concerns identified by parents, school, GP, or health professionals
- Obtain a referral if Medicare rebates or medical follow-up is needed
- Contact a psychologist to arrange assessment
- Complete psychometric assessment
- Share the report with relevant professionals (e.g. paediatrician, psychiatrist, school)
Need More Information? Review our website or contact our team for guidance on referrals, fees, or whether an assessment may be right for you or your child. )