FAQ’s

We know there’s a lot to consider when you are trying to understand if a psychological assessment will help.

The Gray Area

We have put together some of the most frequently asked questions. Alternatively, please reach out via our enquiry form below.

  • Contact our assessments team by emailing admin@thegrayarea.com.au to book your pre assessment interview, this will ensure your psychologist has all the information needed to recommend which assessment is right for you.

  • A Medicare rebate can apply to some services if they are completed by a clinical or registered psychologist. Unfortunately, administration of cognitive assessments cannot attract a rebate under Medicare.

    To access a Medicare rebate

    You will need to contact your GP to obtain a Mental Health Care Plan. With a MHCP, you are eligible for 10 psychological sessions per calendar year.

    To access a Private Health rebate

    If you have private health cover you will need to enquire with your provider as to whether your assessment is claimable under your fund.

    To access NDIS funding

    If you have NDIS funding, and are Plan or Self-Managed, you can forward your NDIS Plan and details through to book assessments.

    Please contact our team for more information on whether you’re able to obtain a rebate on your assessment.

  • Gathering input from multiple raters, such as those who assess your child's performance, holds significant advantages for several reasons. Firstly, it offers confirmatory evidence when results align across raters, while discrepancies can provide valuable insights into potential issues within the school environment, for example.

    Having a broader range of data allows for more informed judgments and decisions regarding what is in the best interest of your child. Moreover, certain diagnoses require evidence from multiple contexts, such as home and school, to ensure accuracy and validity.

    In cases where a diagnosis is necessary for funding purposes, such as NDIS or other support funding, the availability of multiple sources of evidence strengthens the reliability and credibility of the diagnosis.

    At The Gray Area, we recognise the importance of gathering comprehensive and diverse information to ensure a thorough assessment process that leads to well-founded decisions and effective support for your child's unique needs.

  • Typically, we aim to process and deliver the assessment report within 3-4 weeks upon receiving the completed assessments. In the event of any unexpected delays, we will promptly inform you and provide updates on the revised timeline.

  • Once the report is finalised, it will be provided to you in a convenient PDF format after your Feedback Session. This allows for a comprehensive review of the assessment findings and recommendations, ensuring that you have all the necessary information to make informed decisions and take appropriate steps moving forward.

  • The assessment report will encompass the comprehensive results of all completed assessments, accompanied by relevant background information. Each assessment's scoring will be compared to a normative sample that is appropriate for the individual's age and sex, allowing for meaningful interpretation.

    The report will offer insights into potential diagnoses based on the scoring results alone and provide general recommendations for various environments, as well as additional treatment options. If you are currently receiving treatment from a psychologist at The Gray Area Psychologists, their observations will be included in the report, further enriching the overall assessment findings and recommendations.

FAQ’s

EARLY INTERVENTION

  • Early Intervention is a proactive approach to addressing developmental delays or cognitive disabilities in children. It is crucial for promoting sound wellbeing and functioning in individuals and families by identifying and supporting emotional, social, and behavioural needs early on.

  • Our program is designed to help children who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities.

    • Children on the NDIS scheme

    • Children who are 9 years or under

  • Childhood is a period marked by rapid growth and change, during which the body, brain, and nervous system exhibit high responsiveness to the environment. Early intervention uses this responsiveness, often referred to as 'plasticity,' to foster healthy growth and the establishment of positive pathways for learning, behaviour, and emotional and social development.

    Numerous factors influence the growth of your child's body and brain, with some, like genetics, remaining unalterable. However, others can be harnessed to optimise healthy maturation, including:

    • Sensory inputs, such as reading, singing, speaking, and/or signing to your child.

    • Activities that contribute to the development of postural control and fine and gross motor skills.

    • Opportunities for social and emotional connection.

    • Time dedicated to play and exploration of the environment.

    • Consideration of their diet and feeding routines.

    Establishing positive patterns during childhood lays the foundation for your child to have the best possible long-term outcomes.

  • We focus on tailoring therapeutic plans to meet the distinct needs of each child and their family, emphasising specificity, adaptability, and effectiveness for positive development.

  • We aim to provide Early Intervention services both at home and in school to ensure consistency of strategies and support. Recognising the importance of catering to the child's primary environments, this approach allows for the evaluation of specific interventions to meet the child's needs across multiple conditions.

  • No. Early Intervention services are only available to children under 9 and who receive funding under the NDIS. If you think you may be eligible for NDIS funding and don't know where to start please contact us.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

Book an appointment with our experienced psychologists and let us guide you through the shades of healing and growth. Embrace the colours of change and schedule your session today.