Standard Therapy Sessions
Each session costs $230 and lasts for 50 minutes. If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you are eligible to receive 10 Medicare-rebated therapy sessions per year ($101.55 rebate per session).
NDIS
I can see NDIS participants who are plan-managed or self-managed
Private Health
Receipts/invoices can also be provided if clients wish to externally claim under their private health insurance.
Assessment Services
Meagan McDonald Psychology offers the following assessment options:
1. Brief Autism Assessment (6-8 pages): $1150
Intake and developmental history interview (1 hour)
Standardised questionnaires emailed out for completion in client’s own time
Autism-specific clinical interview (1 hour)
Feedback of report (50 minutes)
2. Comprehensive Autism Assessment (15-20 pages): $1610
Intake and developmental history interview (1 hour)
Standardised questionnaires emailed out for completion in client’s own time
Autism-specific clinical interview (2 hours)
Feedback of report (50 minutes)
3. Brief ADHD Assessment (6-8 pages): $1150
Intake and developmental history interview (1 hour)
Standardised questionnaires emailed out for completion in client’s own time
ADHD-specific clinical interview (1 hour)
Feedback of report (50 minutes)
4. Comprehensive ADHD Assessment (15-20 pages): $1610
Intake and developmental history interview (1 hour)
Standardised questionnaires emailed out for completion in client’s own time
ADHD-specific clinical interview (2 hours)
Feedback of report (50 minutes)
5. Brief Autism and ADHD Assessment (10-15 pages): $1380
Intake and developmental history interview (1 hour)
Standardised questionnaires emailed out for completion in client’s own time
Autism-specific clinical interview (1 hour)
ADHD-specific clinical interview (1 hour)
Feedback of report (50 minutes)
6. Comprehensive Autism and ADHD Assessment (20+ pages): $1840
Intake and developmental history interview (1 hour)
Standardised questionnaires emailed out for completion in client’s own time
Autism-specific clinical interview (2 hours)
ADHD-specific clinical interview (1 hour)
Feedback of report (50 minutes)
What is the Difference Between a Brief and Comprehensive Assessment?
Both the Brief and Comprehensive Assessment options include clinical interviews, social-emotional questionnaires, interpretation of results, a diagnostic outcome in accordance with DSM-5-TR criteria, and recommendations.
The difference between the two is the level of detail provided in the assessment and interpretation of results. The Comprehensive Assessment options will include extra standardised questionnaires, a longer clinical interview session, and an assessment of functioning in daily life. Overall, the Comprehensive Assessment option provides a more detailed understanding of your neurotype in terms of both strengths and challenges.
Which Option Should I Choose?
If you want assessment and diagnosis of suspected neurodivergence but don’t require a comprehensive breakdown of your specific neurotype, the Brief Assessment option may be best for you. The report can easily be shared with your health professionals and school or work.
If you want a deeper, more detailed understanding of your neurotype, then the Comprehensive Assessment option is for you.
Do These Reports Allow me to Apply for NDIS?
Both the Brief Assessment report and Comprehensive Assessment report can be used as evidence towards NDIS, DSP, and other funding applications, however, this does not guarantee acceptance. NDIS and DSP require detailed information on how an individual’s diagnosis of autism affects their daily functioning. Though a brief assessment of functional capacity is included in the comprehensive assessment report option, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and certain psychologists offer comprehensive functional capacity assessments (FCA’s); an FCA is not a requirement for NDIS applications but can provide helpful and important evidence. Meagan McDonald Psychology does not offer FCA’s.
Do I Need an Assessment for Autism or can I Self-Identify?
Yes, self-identification is completely valid, and you don’t need a diagnostic assessment to identify as autistic! Some individuals still like to go through the assessment process to receive clarity around their neurotype and to better understand themselves and how they navigate the world. If you are considering autism or ADHD but don’t want to commit to a full assessment just yet, you are more than welcome to book in some therapy sessions, and we can start exploring it together!
If I Want an ADHD Diagnosis, is it Better to see a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist?
Only psychiatrists can prescribe stimulant medication used to help manage symptoms of ADHD as they are medically registered doctors, where psychologists are not. Therefore, if your primary goal in getting assessed is to access medication, then it’s going to be timelier and more cost-effective to go straight to a psychiatrist for assessment. However, if you want to understand more about your neurotype, medication isn’t the end goal, or you want consideration of other mental health or neurodevelopmental explanations, then going with a psychologist may be best for you. It is also important to note that, regardless of having a report from a psychologist, some psychiatrists will want to reassess symptoms themselves.
Are Medicare Rebates Available?
Unfortunately, Medicare rebates are not available for autism and ADHD assessments, however, the psychologist is happy to organise a payment plan.
Appointment Days and Times
I offer both in-person appointments at my office in Rosanna as well as video call appointments via telehealth.
Wednesday
9 am – 5 pm
In-person and telehealth appointments available
Thursday
9 am – 5 pm
Only telehealth appointments available
Friday
9 am – 5 pm
In-person and telehealth appointments available
