Our team of expert clinicians are skilled in the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability (ID), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Learning Difficulties, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Patches currently has the capacity to complete one-off assessments only, and are not able to provide ongoing medication management services. As a part of this assessment, recommendations for therapy and other supports will be provided to you. If you would like to access therapy services, then we would be happy to pass your details across to our therapy team for ongoing support.

Our assessment services are tailored to suit the specific needs of each client, agreed with you at your initial consultation.

Following the initial consultation (1 hour with the relevant clinician), an assessment and/or therapy pathway will be recommended. We offer standard and complex assessments, with one or multiple clinicians. Pricing is based on the hourly rate and number of hours required.

Please see below for our private and metropolitan assessments price guide.

Please note: Patches hourly rates are aligned to the NDIS Price Guide. This may be subject to change. 

Yes. A current referral from a GP (within 12 months), or another medical specialist (within 3 months), is required for an appointment to be scheduled.

Provided you have a valid referral from a GP or specialist, consultations with our Paediatricians may attract a Medicare rebate. Consultations with allied health practitioners under an appropriate Medicare plan may also attract Medicare Rebates.  Ask your GP about the most appropriate Medicare Plan. 

For more information please visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/.

A Patches assessment aims to document specific areas of cognitive, functional, or behavioural difficulty.  In some cases, a specific diagnosis may be made, such as for ADHD, autism, or FASD.  It is not possible to guarantee that an assessment, even if a diagnosis is made, will lead to NDIS eligibility.  Patches assessment reports are written in a way that addresses the NDIS eligibility criteria, based on functional ability.  Depending on the overall diagnostic outcome, and the level of functional ability impairment, the NDIS will review your assessment and application, independent of Patches.

Patches cannot apply to the NDIS on behalf of individuals. This is the responsibility of the individual, or their caregivers/family, who may provide the Patches assessment report, and any other relevant information, to the NDIS.  Information on NDIS eligibility can be found via the following link.

A 50% deposit will be required to secure your assessment booking. The balance of payment is to be made at the time of the assessment appointment. We offer EFTPOS (which incurs a 1.5% surcharge) or Bank Transfer (no fee). Reports can only be distributed after full payment has been received.

We require a telephone call and follow up email from the family, to make a cancellation.  Same day cancellation or non-attendance will forfeit your 50% deposit.

Non-attendance or cancellation before the day of your appointment, and within 48 work day hours of the appointment time, will incur a $250.00 Late Cancellation Fee (excluding GST).

Cancellations more than 48 work day hours before the appointment time will not incur a cancellation fee.

In a Patches autism assessment, two clinicians complete the assessment, as a team.  An autism assessment takes up to 1.5 hours of time that our paediatrician or paediatric registrar spends with the family and child.  Additionally, one of our allied health (OT or Speech pathology) or psychology clinicians will spend up to 2 hours with the family and child.  The clinicians that see your child are also allocated additional time outside of their time with the child and family, that is spent reviewing information, discussing the assessment outcomes with each other, and report writing.

Paediatric assessment may be performed by a consultant paediatrician, or by a paediatric trainee / registrar who is under formal supervision from a Patches consultant paediatrician, endorsed by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. The paediatric trainee or paediatrician will conduct an interview with relevant adults and the patient, will review past documents and reports, and may conduct a basic physical examination if appropriate. The paediatric trainee or paediatrician does not directly administer assessments such as cognitive or behavioural tests. In addition to scheduled telehealth/face to face assessment time, the paediatric trainee or paediatrician is allocated additional consultation, and report writing time to complete their report.

Psychological assessment may be performed or assisted by a provisional psychologist or psychology registrar who is under supervision from a Patches psychologist. The provisional psychologist, psychology registrar or psychologist will conduct an interview with relevant adults and the patient, will review past documents and reports, and may administer any relevant behavioural questionnaires and assessments. In addition to scheduled telehealth/face to face assessment time, the provisional psychologist, psychology registrar or psychologist is allocated additional consultation, and report writing time to complete their report.

Yes.  As part of our commitment to simplifying the assessment journey for individuals and families, Patches delivers a comprehensive report within 14 days of an assessment being completed.  A copy of the report will be emailed to the family member listed on the referral form, as well as the referring General Practitioner or specialist.

Our autism assessments are available via a combination of  telehealth and face-to-face appointments at one of our national clinics.  Contact us to get the most up to date information on wait times and to discuss the option to receive telehealth service from another one of our locations with sooner availability.

In order to assist our team of clinicians determine the most appropriate assessment for your child the following types of documents may be useful: 

-Medical Records from birth hospital

-Medical Reports and Letters (i.e. Paediatricians, Specialists). 

-Allied Health Reports 

-School IEP and Reports 

-School Psychology Reports

NB – Behavioural screening questionnaires will be sent via email to the nominated contact. And may need to be forwarded on to additional recipients (e.g. school, youth justice officer, carer) for completion. These behavioural screening questionnaires must be completed and returned 2-weeks before the scheduled assessment.

In a Patches autism assessment, two clinicians complete the assessment, as a team.  An autism assessment takes up to 2 hours of time that our paediatrician or paediatric registrar spends with the family and child.  Additionally, one of our allied health (OT or Speech pathology) or psychology clinicians will spend up to 2 hours with the family and child.  The clinicians that see your child are also allocated additional time outside of their time with the child and family, that is spent reviewing information, discussing the assessment outcomes with each other, and report writing.

The consultations are available either via telehealth or face-to-face at one of our national clinics.  Our assessment services are comprehensive and tailored to each client. Our Autism assessment team are committed to providing you with a diagnostic report within 14 working days of completing the final component of the assessment.

Step 1- Understanding your needs and goals: Receiving academic, behavioural and past assessment information from school and home, via referral forms and screening questionnaires.

Step 2 – Listening to you: Asking what your goals and priorities are with the assessment. Then taking a full developmental history in a diagnostic interview from individuals or carers, including information about pregnancy and infancy, through early childhood and to the current time.

Step 3 – Assessing strengths, challenges, and symptoms: Speaking with, observing, and interacting with the child, either in person or via telehealth.  using a set of structured questions about Autism symptoms.

Step 4 – Making sense of things and providing the pathway forward: Our clinicians will thoughtfully prepare a written diagnostic report and communicate this via email to with the client or family and the referring doctor. Recommendations for therapy and support will be provided. Families and clients can book a feedback session with one of our clinicians if they wish to discuss or clarify their diagnostic report.

After the assessment report is completed and distributed –

Families and clients can book a further session with one of our clinicians if they wish to discuss or clarify their diagnostic report. This is separate from the assessment itself and we would allocate a 45-minute appointment either face-to-face or via telehealth at a cost of $550.

Please note: Patches cannot guarantee that medications will be recommended, or that medication management and support will be provided after an assessment.

A range of neurodevelopmental conditions may be screened for during an assessment, however, a full diagnostic assessment cannot be provided for multiple conditions during one session.

The length of an assessment varies depending on the developmental concern, individual complexity, and clinicians required. We aim to complete most assessments on the one day, within a few hours. Our assessment team staff will advise the length of your child’s assessment at the time of booking.

An autism assessment takes up to 2 hours of time that our paediatrician or paediatric registrar spends with the family and child.  Additionally, one of our allied health (OT or Speech pathology) or psychology clinicians will spend up to 2 hours with the family and child.  The clinicians that see your child are also allocated additional time outside of their time with the child and family, that is spent reviewing information, discussing the assessment outcomes with each other, and report writing.

For most assessments both parents or caregivers and the child are required to be in attendance, either in person or via telehealth. For Medicare eligible appointments, the child or client always needs to be present at the practice.  

Our friendly team happy to assist with any queries you may have. Please contact us via: assessments@patches.com.au or Ph. 1300 111 728 to get in touch with us today.