Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I see you in person for assessment?
I mostly offer assessment via Telehealth. That said, I can offer in-person assessment in Brisbane 1 day a week - yay! If you are local to Brisbane and wish to discuss this option please send me an email.
2. What happens during our assessment?
I aim for assessment to feel conversational. I ask questions and introduce topic areas for us to explore, but these are fluid and flexible. I often say during assessment that "we go where we need to go" rather than assessment sessions feeling like structured, formal interviews.
During our series of appointments you will be emailed links to online questionnaires. You can complete these on your computer/smartphone. Your responses are then returned to me. On average you will be sent 4-5 questionnaires (this can vary).
Information about you from a third party who has known you from childhood is needed in most cases. This is to document that traits were evident in your early development, satisfying current DSM 5 TR criteria. To assist with this, I will ask you if there is a parent, Aunty/Uncle, family member, family friend or other safe person you trust to complete some questionnaires about you. At times, it can be more helpful for me to have a conversation with your safe person. If we think this option would be best, I would work with you to outline the questions I would like to ask, in order to uphold transparency and your ongoing informed consent. Other sources of helpful information can be school reports, letters from school, prior assessment reports and childhood diaries.
After our assessment conversations and all questionnaires are complete, we meet for feedback where we talk through the assessment outcomes. After this feedback I finalise your written report. This is then sent to you via email around 4-6 weeks after feedback.
I understand that it is sometimes difficult to access third party information, and that these sources may not always yield helpful diagnostic information. Please be assured that I do not include or exclude diagnoses based on singular sources of information. My goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of you and your life, after bringing together as much information about you as possible.
3. Are there any downsides, risks or negatives to being identified as Autistic?
This can be hard to predict as there is little concrete information available. Anecdotal feedback from the Autistic community is that there may be difficulties obtaining life insurance policies and entering military/policing career pathways if identified as Autistic. For people who are not Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents, there has also been anecdotal feedback that being identified as Autistic can interfere with gaining citizenship/residency. It is difficult to source specific sources of information on these potential outcomes, so I recommend that anyone considering assessment researches their concerns before making any decisions.
4. Can you assess my child/teenager?
At times I have some limited capacity to assess children and young people. I offer these assessments in-person at my Brisbane practice. I do not offer Telehealth assessment for child/youth clients. Please email me if you would to check my current availability for child/youth assessment.
5. How does payment work?
You will be asked to input credit/debit card information when completing the online intake forms. Card data is stored securely in encrypted practice management software. A deposit is paid to secure your appointments. I am happy for the balance to be managed with a payment plan (e.g., dividing the remaining fee into instalments paid at each appointment).
6. Am I guaranteed to be identified as Autistic?
No. You may or may not receive formal identification or diagnosis. It is important to manage your expectations up front. If assessment suggests you are not Autistic, we will still discuss your overall clinical picture as well as other diagnoses that may seem apparent.
7. Can I see you for ADHD assessment?
I no long offer ADHD assessment (or combined Autism/ADHD assessment). However, I still screen for ADHD in all Autism assessments as a matter of evidence-based best practice.
In all honesty, if you are considering trialling medication if you were to be identified as an ADHDer, I recommend referring directly to a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists conduct their own assessments when evaluating ADHD (even if given a Psychologist's report). Therefore, referring directly to a Psychiatrist saves time and money as you won't be paying for two assessments. A Psychologist assessment is not required to see a Psychiatrist. All you need is a GP referral.
8. Will a diagnosis mean I can apply for NDIS or for Centrelink/Human Services/Disability Support Pension?
**Updated information October 2026** - NDIS eligibility rules and decision-making processes are currently uncertain given recent legislation changes. Due to this, I cannot provide any reliable information as to whether Psychology assessment reports will be helpful for NDIS Access Requests moving forward. If you are considering making an NDIS Access Request, I encourage you to make enquiries with the NDIA directly, to find out what information or evidence they require.**
The below information is being kept in my FAQ for transparency, and was up-to-date/accurate prior to the NDIS legislation changes that occurred from August 2026.
Reports provided by Kaleidoscope Assessment can be used as evidence to support an NDIS Access Request. However, you will also need other reports/supporting documents as part of the NDIS multidiscipinary/team-based assessment pathway.
If you are seeking Autism assessment with the foreknowledge that you wish to make an NDIS Access Request, please be aware that NDIS have established their own rules that single clinician diagnostic reports are only accepted from Psychiatrists, Paediatricians and Clinical Psychologists at this time. Thus, it is suggested that you seek assessment with one of these professionals should you have NDIS in mind.
It is important to manage your expectations when requesting to access the NDIS. Whilst assessments and reports are completed to robust clinical, professional and ethical standards, both health and allied health professionals have no decision-making power about NDIS Access Requests. We do our best to support client access, but NDIS/the NDIA are the sole decision-makers.
Registered Psychologists can provide supporting evidence for some categories of Centrelink/Human Services Disability Support Pension (DSP) applications. If applying for DSP, relevant supporting documentation can be written at the standard consultation rate ($252.99/50 min). This is in addition to assessment fees, given the time it takes to prepare written documents for Centrelink/Human Services.
9. What else can I use the report for?
Formal diagnosis supports your right to access supports, accommodations and reasonable adjustments in workplaces and educational institutions, as well as protection under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). Some people share reports with their GP to confirm the information as part of their medical history, though this is not required. Who you choose to share your assessment results with is your own very personal decision. Lastly (but not at all in the least), some folk find relief, self-compassion, self-acceptance, celebration and deep personal meaning in formal confirmation of their neurotype.
10. Can I see you for ongoing support/therapy appointments after assessment?
If I have suitable capacity and availability at the time of your assessment, I am happy to offer follow-up support or therapy sessions. We can discuss your needs as we move through the assessment process. I am also happy to recommend other therapists who may be a good fit.
You can read a bit more about therapy with me here.
11. How do I book appointments?
The first step is to book an initial appointment here. Look for an available 'Assessment' appointment (if there are none, I do not have any currently availability).
At the link, select a date and time that suits you for the initial appointment. There is a box in the top right of the booking screen to input your location (e.g. type in 'Sydney' or 'Adelaide'). This adjusts available appointment times to be displayed in your local time.
After you book an initial appointment, I will make contact via email so that we can arrange the rest of your assessment appointments and organise payment of the deposit fee.
