Oracle Psychology
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    • Autism Spectrum Disorders >
      • Autism Assessments
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      • Dyslexia Assessments
      • Learning Assessments
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      • Child & Adolescent Depression
      • Child & Adolescent Anxiety
      • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
      • Childhood Trauma & PTSD
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  • Our Child Psychologists
    • Candice Byrnes, Child Psychologist
    • Claire Mortimer, Senior Clinical Psychologist
    • Dan McAlpine, Senior Psychologist
    • Daniel Wendt, Principal Clinical Psychologist
    • Doug Angus, Child Psychologist
    • Eliza Skelton, Clinical Psychologist
    • Julia Macris, Child Psychologist
    • Kane Becker, Child Psychologist
    • Kate Purcell, Child Psychologist
    • Kerri Corkill, Clinical Psychologist
    • Lucy Rosser, Child Psychologist
    • Madeline Cordingley, Clinical Psychologist
    • Madeline Guinane, Child Psychologist
    • Merel Van Emmerik, Child Psychologist
    • Tanya Hopwood, Child Psychologist
    • Travis Boehm, Child Psychologist
    • Zoe Guider, Clinical Psychologist
    • Frances Fay, Behaviour Support Pracitioner
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Comprehensive Assessments

All of our clinicians have been individually trained by Mr Daniel Wendt, Principal Clinical Psychologist, in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other mental health, learning or developmental conditions. Our assessments follow the same series of processes, subtests, and criteria which are all evidence based. Our clinicians use the following assessments to make diagnoses over the course of 3-4 sessions (in most cases), depending on the concerns:

Clinical Interview – With the parents/carers and/or adult client, designed to gather background developmental history from birth and provide context regarding the child/client
Cognitive assessment – Time varies depending on the child’s/client’s ability to complete the tasks - Assesses intellectual strengths and weaknesses for developmental comparison
Neuropsychological Assessment - Used where appropriate depending on the age and presentation of the child/client - Used to assess neuropsychological abilities such as executive functioning
Questionnaires – Depending on ages and presentation, questionnaires are sent to clients or parents and teachers to provide insight into behaviours in different contexts
Academic Assessment – Where appropriate depending on the age and presentation of the child/client and if time allows
Observation/Interview Assessment – This is a structured play/interview simulation used when assessing ASD or other developmental conditions

All of the history and results are then referred back to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria. If the child/client meets criteria for ASD, a learning disorder (e.g. Developmental Dyslexia) or another diagnosis (e.g. Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), etc.) the report will state as much, as the assessment is designed to pick up on multiple issues where present. These diagnoses can present as comorbid, meaning they can co-occur with one another.

If a diagnosis is not appropriate, one will not be given. In saying that, the client may not meet the full criteria for a diagnosis, but may be displaying traits of a condition, which if so, will also be noted in the report. Appropriate guidance, information and strategies will also be provided in these cases.

More guidance on fees for comprehensive assessments can be found here. Additional information on the types of assessments covered by a comprehensive assessment are listed below.

Dyslexia Assessment

Developmental Dyslexia (Specific Reading Disorder) is a learning disorder which affects an individual's ability to read and write. It makes it difficult to identify and learn sounds which can impact on comprehension. Early identification through comprehensive psychological assessment is important to assist in raising awareness, identifying needs and accessing the most beneficial supports.

Learning Assessment

Our Psychologist can administer comprehensive learning assessments which help children, adolescents and adults identify their learning strengths and weaknesses. This helps teachers and support services to recognising how they can best meet an individual's needs. We can provide full neuropsychological assessments to investigate cognitive abilities, memory, concentration and executive functions. Learning assessments include cognitive testing and achievement testing.

Diagnostic Assessment

We conduct comprehensive clinical interviews and neuropsychological assessments to identify a range of childhood and adolescent difficulties including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Separation Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Intellectual Assessment

Complete intellectual, adaptive functioning and neuropsychological assessments are available at our practice to identify and diagnose the full range of Intellectual Disabilities. Psychologists are experts in human development and can compare performance on a range of standardised assessments in order to determine age appropriate development. Intellectual assessments are also referred to as cognitive assessments.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment

Our Psychologist provides comprehensive assessments to identify and diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This includes reclassification of Asperger's Syndrome, Autistic Disorder and Pervassive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) according to the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria. Reclassification under the new DSM-V criteria can be important to assist in accessing services such as NDIS if eligible. All ASD assessments also include neuropsychological testing including cognitive assessments. 
Oracle Psychology Pty Ltd
19 Bolton Street, Suite 6, Level 1, 
Newcastle, 
NSW, 2300
P: 02 4929 2223
F: 02 4929 3637
E: admin@oraclepsych.com.au
ABN: 4716 427 5709    ACN: 164 275 709
Oracle Psychology Newcastle

Psychology Board of Australia
NDIS Registered Provider
Medicare
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
  • Home
  • New Clients
  • Psychological Services
    • Autism Spectrum Disorders >
      • Autism Assessments
    • Behaviour Difficulties
    • Behaviour Support Plans
    • Clinical Hypnosis
    • Comprehensive Assessments >
      • Dyslexia Assessments
      • Learning Assessments
    • EMDR & Trauma
    • Mood Difficulties >
      • Child & Adolescent Depression
      • Child & Adolescent Anxiety
      • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
      • Childhood Trauma & PTSD
    • Telehealth Child Psychology
  • Our Child Psychologists
    • Candice Byrnes, Child Psychologist
    • Claire Mortimer, Senior Clinical Psychologist
    • Dan McAlpine, Senior Psychologist
    • Daniel Wendt, Principal Clinical Psychologist
    • Doug Angus, Child Psychologist
    • Eliza Skelton, Clinical Psychologist
    • Julia Macris, Child Psychologist
    • Kane Becker, Child Psychologist
    • Kate Purcell, Child Psychologist
    • Kerri Corkill, Clinical Psychologist
    • Lucy Rosser, Child Psychologist
    • Madeline Cordingley, Clinical Psychologist
    • Madeline Guinane, Child Psychologist
    • Merel Van Emmerik, Child Psychologist
    • Tanya Hopwood, Child Psychologist
    • Travis Boehm, Child Psychologist
    • Zoe Guider, Clinical Psychologist
    • Frances Fay, Behaviour Support Pracitioner
  • Fees & Rebates
  • Contact Us
    • Existing Client Portal
    • Locate Us
    • About Us
    • Therapy Waitlist Form
    • Assessment Waitlist Form
    • External Third-Party Referral Form
  • Psychologist Articles
    • Scientific Critiques
  • Multidisciplinary Referrals