Neuropsychology Assessments

Autism can present in many different ways, and for both children and adults a thoughtful, comprehensive assessment is the starting point for making sense of long-standing differences in social communication, sensory experiences, interests and ways of thinking. Dr McLean’s assessments follow the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism in Australia and are tailored to your stage of life whether that’s a young child whose parents have noticed differences in play and connection, a school-aged child or teenager who is struggling socially or emotionally, or an adult seeking clarity after years of feeling “different.”

A typical assessment includes a detailed developmental and life history, gold-standard diagnostic tools such as the ADOS-2 and, where appropriate, the ADI-R, cognitive and adaptive functioning measures, and information from people who know you or your child well. Dr McLean also screens for commonly co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, learning disorders and language difficulties, so that the picture is complete rather than partial. You’ll receive a clear written report with a diagnostic formulation, a strengths-based description of your or your child’s profile, and practical recommendations for school, work, relationships, NDIS access where relevant, and ongoing support.

Starting school is a big milestone, and it can be hard to know whether your child is ready or whether another year of preschool would set them up for greater success. A school readiness assessment offers a clear, evidence-based picture of how your child is tracking across the skills that matter most in those early years: thinking and reasoning, language, attention and self-regulation, fine motor coordination, social and emotional development, and early pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills.

Dr McLean uses a combination of standardised testing, parent and teacher input, and observation to identify your child’s strengths and any areas where they may benefit from extra support. You’ll receive a written report with practical, individualised recommendations to help guide your decision, share with your child’s preschool or future school, and support a confident transition into the classroom.

When reading, spelling, writing or maths are persistently more difficult than expected – despite good teaching, effort and support – a comprehensive learning assessment can provide answers.

Dr McLean assesses for Specific Learning Disorders as defined in the DSM-5, including dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (written expression) and dyscalculia (mathematics), in both children and adults. The assessment combines a detailed developmental and educational history with standardised testing of intellectual ability, academic skills, phonological processing, rapid naming, working memory, processing speed, attention and executive functioning, so that we can identify the underlying pattern driving the difficulties rather than the surface symptoms alone.

You’ll receive a clear diagnostic formulation and a practical, individualised report with recommendations for evidence-based intervention, classroom or workplace adjustments, NDIS or tertiary disability support documentation, and applications for special provisions in school exams, NAPLAN, the HSC, or university assessments.

Students with a disability, learning disorder, mental health condition or chronic illness may be eligible for disability provisions in the HSC such as extra time, rest breaks, a separate supervised setting, or the use of a reader or writer. NESA requires recent, specialist evidence that clearly describes the diagnosis and, importantly, demonstrates the functional impact of the condition on exam performance.

Dr McLean’s assessments are designed to meet these requirements and include completion of the relevant NESA medical and specialist forms, standardised cognitive and academic testing where indicated (including measures of reading, writing, processing speed and working memory), and a detailed report linking your child’s profile to the specific provisions being sought.

Dr McLean works closely with students, parents and the school’s Learning Support team so that applications are well-evidenced and submitted within NESA’s timelines, giving students the best chance of showing what they truly know in their HSC exams.

A gifted assessment helps families and schools understand a child’s intellectual profile in detail, so that learning at home and in the classroom can be matched to their actual abilities. Using gold-standard cognitive measures such as the WISC-V (and, where appropriate, the Stanford-Binet 5 or WPPSI-IV), together with academic achievement testing and information from parents and teachers, Dr McLean looks closely at verbal reasoning, visual-spatial thinking, working memory, processing speed, and learning across reading, writing and mathematics. The assessment also identifies twice-exceptional profiles, where giftedness sits alongside conditions such as ADHD, autism, or a specific learning disorder that may otherwise mask a child’s potential. The written report provides clear documentation of giftedness for applications to selective schools, opportunity classes and gifted and talented programs, along with tailored recommendations for extension, enrichment and emotional wellbeing.