Intellectual Assessments (Ages 2.5-16)
Cognitive (IQ) Assessments for Children

Belong Health offers Intellectual Assessments conducted by a Clinical Psychologist using structured, evidence-based assessment tools.

These assessments are designed to explore a child’s cognitive ability (IQ), including how they think, reason, learn, and process information.

Our Clinical Psychologist services the Peel region (including Mandurah and surrounding areas) and Rockingham and nearby suburbs (within approximately 35 km), with both clinic-based and community assessment options available.

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What an Intellectual Assessment Is For

An intellectual assessment helps to build a clear understanding of a child’s overall cognitive profile.

​It may be recommended when there are questions about:
• Intellectual disability
• Giftedness or advanced learning ability
• Differences between ability and school performance
• Learning strengths and areas of difficulty
• Support needs at school or home

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Who This Assessment May Help

This assessment may be helpful for children who:
• Are significantly ahead of peers academically
• Are finding learning more difficult than expected
• Are not progressing despite effort and support
• Have inconsistent performance across different areas
• Require a clearer understanding of how they learn

​Assessments explore both strengths and areas of difficulty, providing a balanced understanding of the child’s abilities.

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Assessment Tools Used
WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children)

The WISC-V is a widely used, standardised assessment for children aged 6–16 years.
It explores different areas of thinking and learning, including:
• Verbal comprehension
• Visual-spatial skills
• Fluid reasoning (problem solving)
• Working memory
• Processing speed

These areas combine to provide an overall picture of a child’s cognitive profile.

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Assessment Process

1. Referral or enquiry received
   
2. Reviewed by Clinical Psychologist
   
3. Parent questionnaire completed (Learning & Behaviour Questionnaire)
   
4. Assessment session scheduled (typically around 1 hour)
   
5. WISC-V assessment completed
   
6. Scoring, interpretation, and report writing
   
7. Feedback session provided to parents (child may attend part of session)

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Timeframes

Timeframes may vary depending on complexity and availability of information.

​Typical timeframe:
• Intellectual Assessment: approximately 1–2 weeks from assessment to feedback

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What the Report Includes

• Summary of concerns and background
• WISC-V assessment results
• Cognitive profile and interpretation
• Strengths and areas of difference
• Consideration of intellectual functioning (e.g. intellectual disability or giftedness where appropriate)
• Practical recommendations for home and school

​A feedback session is provided to explain results and answer questions.

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Important Information

• This assessment focuses on cognitive ability (IQ)
• Diagnosis is only made where criteria are met
• Results should be considered alongside other information (e.g. school performance, development)
• Reports support understanding and planning but do not guarantee funding or outcomes

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Fees & Funding
We aim to provide clear and transparent information so families can plan assessments with confidence.

Intellectual Assessment
6 hours total
Total: $1,650.00
Includes assessment, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and feedback session.


Medicare (Mental Health Treatment Plan)
If you have a referral from your GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year.

Clinical Psychologist rebate: approximately $136.35 per session

How Medicare applies to assessments
Medicare rebates apply to eligible face-to-face sessions that involve:
• Assessment sessions
• Clinical interviews
• Feedback and recommendations

​Medicare does not fund assessments as a packaged service. Rebates are applied per session attended.
Time spent on scoring, interpretation, and report writing is included in the overall fee but is not claimable through Medicare.

​Autism-Specific Medicare Pathway (Under 13)
For children under 13, a paediatrician or psychiatrist may refer for assessment of a complex neurodevelopmental condition (including autism).
This may allow access to:
• Up to 4 allied health assessment sessions
• Rebates of approximately $84-$150 per session
Eligibility depends on specialist referral.

Centrelink (Disability Support Pension - DSP)

A psychology assessment may be used as supporting medical evidence for Centrelink Disability Support Pension (DSP) applications.
Centrelink requires documentation from qualified health professionals, which can include a Clinical Psychologist. Our assessment reports include detailed information about:
• Assessment results
• Clinical interpretation
• Functional impact in daily life
• Recommendations

This information may assist in supporting a DSP application.

​Important to know:
• A psychology assessment is one part of the overall evidence required
• Centrelink assesses applications based on specific criteria, including diagnosis, functional impact, and ability to work
• Additional documentation (e.g. GP or specialist reports) is usually required
• DSP approval is not guaranteed based on one report alone

​DSP is available for individuals aged 16 years and over. For children under 16, families may instead access supports through the NDIS or carer payments.

​Private Health Insurance
Depending on your extras cover, you may be eligible for psychology rebates.

Typical rebates range from:
• $50–$120 per session

Please note:
• Medicare and private health rebates cannot be claimed for the same session
• Some families choose to use Medicare rebates first, then private health for additional sessions

​We recommend checking directly with your insurer for details of your cover.

NDIS
The NDIS does not fund diagnostic assessments.
However, funding may be used for:
• Functional assessments
• Therapy supports
Diagnosis is typically completed outside of NDIS funding.

Payment Information
To support a smooth assessment process:
• Payment is required on the day of each session
• Progression to the next stage occurs once previous sessions are finalised

​We will outline the assessment schedule in advance so you know what to expect.

Planning Your Costs
Families often use a combination of:
• Medicare rebates
• Private health rebates
• Private payment

We are happy to talk this through with you so you can choose an approach that suits your family.

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Signs Your Child May Benefit From an Intellectual Assessment

• Learning is significantly easier or harder than expected
• Large differences between subjects (e.g. strong verbal skills but difficulty with problem solving)
• Difficulty keeping up with school demands
• Teacher concerns about learning ability
• Questions about giftedness or intellectual disability

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Not Sure If an Intellectual Assessment Is Right?

​If you’re unsure whether this assessment is appropriate, our team can help guide you based on your concerns.
​
​Call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here

free 20min connect Session
with our clinical psychologist

If you’re unsure whether an assessment is the right next step, we offer a Free 20-minute Meet & Greet call with our Clinical Psychologist.

Book Now

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When to Consider Occupational Therapy Instead

​You may wish to consider an Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment if your focus is on:
• Everyday functioning and independence
• Memory or attention in daily tasks
• Functional Capacity Assessments (NDIS)

Learn More

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Frequently Asked Questions - Intellectual Psychology Assessments 

What is an Intellectual (IQ) Assessment?
​An Intellectual Assessment explores a person’s cognitive functioning and learning profile.
This may include areas such as:

• Reasoning and problem-solving
• Verbal comprehension
• Working memory
• Processing speed
• Visual-spatial skills

The assessment helps build a clearer understanding of cognitive strengths, learning differences, and support needs.

What does the WISC-V measure?
The WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition) assesses several areas of cognitive functioning, including:

• Verbal comprehension
• Visual-spatial skills
• Fluid reasoning
• Working memory
• Processing speed

The WISC-V is one of the most commonly used cognitive assessment tools for children.

When should a child have an Intellectual Assessment?
An Intellectual Assessment may be helpful where there are questions about:

• Learning ability
• Intellectual disability
• Giftedness
• Cognitive strengths and challenges
• Differences between learning ability and school performance
• Developmental concerns

Assessments can help guide understanding, educational planning, and recommendations.

What are signs a child may benefit from an Intellectual Assessment?
Signs may include:

• Significant learning difficulties
• Difficulty understanding or retaining information
• Delays in academic progress
• Concerns regarding intellectual disability
• Advanced or gifted learning abilities
• Difficulty with reasoning or problem-solving
• Differences between effort and school performance

Assessment helps explore the broader cognitive and learning profile.

What is the difference between an Intellectual Assessment and a Learning Assessment?
An Intellectual Assessment focuses on cognitive ability and intellectual functioning.
A Specific Learning Disorder Assessment focuses more specifically on academic skills such as:

• Reading
• Writing
• Spelling
• Mathematics

These assessments are often completed together to better understand learning strengths and difficulties.

Does an IQ test diagnose learning difficulties?
Not on its own.
An Intellectual Assessment provides information about cognitive functioning, which is interpreted alongside:

• Academic achievement testing
• Developmental history
• Educational information
• Functional impact

This helps psychologists better understand whether learning difficulties may be present.

Can ADHD affect IQ testing?
Yes. Attention, executive functioning, anxiety, fatigue, emotional regulation, or sensory factors can sometimes influence assessment performance.
Psychologists interpret results carefully within the context of the individual’s overall presentation.

Can someone be gifted and still struggle at school?
Yes.
Some individuals may have strong intellectual ability while also experiencing:

• ADHD
• Specific Learning Disorders
• Anxiety
• Executive functioning difficulties
• Emotional or sensory challenges

Assessment can help identify both strengths and support needs.

What assessments do psychologists use for intellectual functioning?
Assessments may include:

• WISC-V (children)
• WPPSI-IV (young children)
• WAIS-IV (adolescents and adults)
• Adaptive functioning assessments (e.g. ABAS-3)
• Clinical interviews
• Behavioural questionnaires where appropriate

Assessment tools are selected based on the individual’s age and presentation.

What is adaptive functioning?
Adaptive functioning refers to everyday practical skills used in daily life.
This may include:

• Communication
• Social skills
• Self-care
• Independence
• Practical daily living skills

Adaptive functioning assessments may be used alongside cognitive assessments to help understand overall functioning.

Can an Intellectual Assessment identify intellectual disability?
An Intellectual Assessment may contribute to understanding whether intellectual disability may be present.
Diagnosis considers:

• Cognitive functioning
• Adaptive functioning
• Developmental history
• Functional impact across daily life

How long does an Intellectual Assessment take?
Timeframes vary depending on the individual and complexity of presentation. Assessments are completed across multiple sessions and may include interviews, testing sessions, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and feedback appointments.

What happens after the assessment?
Following the assessment, families usually receive a comprehensive report, feedback session, and recommendations that may assist with school supports, accommodations, intervention planning, and understanding learning needs.

Can Intellectual Assessments help with school supports?
Yes. Assessment reports may help schools better understand the student’s cognitive profile and identify appropriate accommodations, supports, adjustments, or extension opportunities.

Are Intellectual Assessments covered by Medicare?
Medicare rebates may be available for eligible sessions depending on referral pathways and individual circumstances. Medicare generally does not cover report writing or scoring time.

Can adults complete an Intellectual Assessment?
Yes. Intellectual Assessments can also be completed for adolescents and adults where cognitive functioning, learning ability, intellectual disability, or giftedness is being explored.

Can assessments be completed through telehealth?
Some components of the assessment process may be completed via telehealth where clinically appropriate. However, cognitive testing components often require in-person assessment.

Do I need a referral for an Intellectual Assessment?
No referral is required to book an assessment. However, some families may access Medicare rebates through eligible referral pathways.

What if my child feels anxious about testing?
This is very common. Assessments are completed in a supportive and flexible way, and the psychologist adapts sessions to suit the child’s pace, comfort, communication style, and support needs.

Areas We Service ​
​Our Clinical Psychologist based in Rockingham, Western Australia, provides Psychology Assessments to clients across the South of Perth to Mandurah suburbs and surrounding areas.

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Anketell
Atwell
Baldivis
Banjup
Barragup
Bertram
Bibra Lake
Bouvard
Calista
Casuarina
Clifton
Cockburn Central
Coogee

Coolbellup
Cooloongup
Dawesville
Dudley Park
East Rockingham
Erskine
Falcon
Furnissdale
Garden Island
Golden Bay
Greenfields
Halls Head
Hamel

Hamilton Hill
Hammond Park
Herron
Hope Valley
Hopeland
Jandakot
Karnup
Keralup
Kwinana Beach
Kwinana Town Centre
Lakelands
Leda

Madora Bay
Mandogalup
Mandurah
Meadow Springs
Medina
Nambeelup
Naval Base
North Coogee
North Dandalup
Oakford
Orelia
Parklands
Parmelia

Peron
Pinjarra
Port Kennedy
Postans
Ravenswood
Rockingham
Safety Bay
San Remo
Secret Harbour
Serpentine
Shoalwater
Silver Sands
Singleton

South Lake
South Yunderup
Spearwood
Stake Hill
Success
The Spectacles
Wandi
Wannanup
Warnbro
Wattleup
Wellard
West Pinjarra
Yangebup

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 To secure your spot, please fill out the our enquiry form or phone us ​

Enquire Now

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Belong Health's Resource Hub
To further support your child's development, visit our Resource Hub for additional activities, tips, and tools tailored for various needs and diagnoses.
Below are our Child Psychology Free Resources

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Home Therapy Packs
At Belong Health, we are dedicated to providing tailored support that meets the unique needs of each child. Developed by our Paediatric Occupational Therapists, our Home Therapy Packs are specifically designed to align with NDIS goals, offering flexible, practical, and engaging activities for children at home.
To further enhance your approach, consider our Home Therapy Packs, specifically designed to support communication development at home.

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