Assessments at Wildflower!
- Alexandra McCarthy
- Aug 14
- 6 min read

As we move through 2025, we’ve taken a moment to pause and reflect on the incredible impact of our assessment work at Wildflower. So far this year, we’ve completed 88 assessments, each one representing a unique journey toward clarity, understanding, and self-discovery.
Hearing the success stories from both our big and little legends fills us with immense pride and reminds us exactly why we’re so passionate about what we do.
Before we dive into all things assessments including some exciting new updates we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every individual and family who has chosen to embark on this path with us. It’s a true honour to be welcomed into your world and trusted with such a meaningful part of you or your child’s story. Your trust means the world to us, and we are deeply thankful to walk alongside you on this journey.
This past financial year has seen a remarkable increase in the number of assessments completed at Wildflower, and with it, a growing sense of purpose. The clarity, relief, and self-understanding that have emerged from these experiences are a testament to the dedication of our clinicians and our unwavering commitment to ensuring that each person feels truly seen and heard throughout the process.
In today’s blog, we’re celebrating the huge year we’ve had in this space while also offering a comprehensive look into our approach to assessments, what makes us different, and why we believe assessments can be a pivotal step in helping individuals flourish as their most authentic selves. You’ll also meet our newest clinical psychologist, Brittany, who brings a deep passion for recognising and honouring those who are often misunderstood and learn about some exciting new assessment offerings now available at Wildflower.
Why are Assessments Important?
There are many reasons why assessments are important, however in a nutshell, an assessment provides clarity and a deeper understanding of who you are.
It’s not just about reaching a diagnosis - it’s about gaining a deep understanding of how your brain works. A diagnosis acts as a starting point, guiding us to ask meaningful questions like, “What does this really mean for you? How does it shape the way you navigate the world?”
By exploring these questions, we aim to truly see and recognise each individual for who they are. It’s about making sense of the “why” behind certain behaviours, thoughts, or feelings and connecting those insights to a bigger picture. This process allows us to provide a comprehensive understanding of your unique strengths and areas for growth, paving the way for meaningful support and guidance.
Receiving a diagnosis can truly be life-changing, and the many success stories we hear after assessments are a testament to that. A diagnosis becomes a meaningful part of a person’s identity. It’s not just a label. It’s a description of how your brain works, offering clarity and insight that helps you understand yourself and find the best ways to thrive.
More specifically, for children, it can unlock support early at school, at home, and in the community, so they’re not left feeling like something is “wrong” with them. It helps parents, teachers, and therapists see the world through their eyes and respond with understanding, not frustration.
For teens and adults, it can shine a light on challenges they’ve been quietly carrying for years. It explains the “why” behind certain struggles, celebrates strengths that may have gone unnoticed, and makes space for more authentic relationships and opportunities.
For those already diagnosed, a reassessment can bring clarity during life changes, guide the next steps for support, and ensure funding or services reflect current needs.
At its core, an assessment is a tool for understanding. And as we know, understanding changes everything.
Why Choose Us? What Makes Our Assessments Different?
At the heart of what we do at Wildflowers is a deep passion for truly seeing, hearing, and understanding each individual. This is no different in our assessments. We have a deep passion for providing assessments and diagnoses that go beyond a simple label.
What sets us apart is our commitment to accuracy and depth, especially in a landscape where misdiagnoses are far too common. We take the time to fully understand your internal world, recognising nuances that are often overlooked. This is particularly important for adults or high internalising women, where overlapping symptoms can lead to confusion or inaccurate conclusions. Our team excels at differentiating and pinpointing the root causes, ensuring our assessments are thoughtful, precise, and comprehensive.
A standout aspect of our service is the comprehensive, tailored reports we provide. These reports are designed to be practical, actionable, and specific to you.
For parents, they serve as an invaluable tool to advocate for their child in school settings, offering insights into how their child can thrive.
For adults, they are a guide to understanding personal strengths, developing coping strategies for challenges, and creating a path to navigate life with greater ease and confidence.
Whether it’s finding accommodations, managing stress, or leveraging unique talents, our reports are crafted to help you succeed.
A diagnosis is just the beginning.
We prioritise a collaborative, empowering process when delivering results. Our approach isn’t just about telling you, “You meet the criteria for ADHD.” It’s about helping you connect the dots: “Oh, that’s why I do that!” or “Now this makes sense!”. This clarity leaves you feeling empowered, informed, and confident in understanding yourself on a deeper level.
From the moment you connect with us, we hope you’ll experience a seamless blend of expertise, kindness, and thoroughness. Our mission is to make you feel seen, heard, and truly understood, with an outcome that not only validates your experiences but also equips you to thrive.
Our Assessment Process
Thinking about getting an assessment with us but unsure what it looks like or the steps involved? You’ve most likely felt overwhelmed with this, and you’re not alone! We’ve broken down our assessment process into simple steps to help you understand what to expect. The process may vary slightly depending on the type of assessment and individual needs, but this overview should give you a clear starting point!
Child/Adolescent Assessments
Initial phone intake with the parent is booked and the assessment deposit is taken.
If applicable, online questionnaires are sent to parents and teachers.
In-person assessment with clients in our practice. This goes for 1-2 hours depending on the individual. At this stage, we require 50% of the assessment cost.
Psychologist/OT scores, interprets and writes the results and provides a comprehensive report with recommendations.
When the report is finalised we reach out to book a feedback session to deliver the results of the assessments with parents/carers and answer any questions that arise.
Adult Assessments
Initial phone intake is booked and the assessment deposit is taken.
If applicable, online questionnaires are sent to yourself and a significant other.
In-person assessment at our practice lasts 1-2 hours depending on the individual. At this stage, we require 50% of the assessment cost. To cater for varying needs this aspect of the assessment can also occur online.
Psychologist/OT scores, interprets and writes the results and provides a comprehensive report with recommendations.
When the report is finalised we reach out to book a feedback session to deliver the results of the assessments and answer any questions that arise.
Our assessment process for adults, adolescents, and children follows a similar structure but is always tailored to the unique needs of each individual, something we believe truly sets us apart.
The reason why we start with an initial intake prior to meeting yourself or your child, is because we take the time to gather valuable information and provide our expert guidance on the most appropriate steps and assessments for you or your child, rather than rushing through the process. This personalised approach ensures that when the assessment process begins, you can feel confident knowing it’s the right path for you or your family member.
Assessments we Offer
Cognitive Assessments |
Learning and Education Assessments |
Autism Assessments |
ADHD Assessments |
Sensory Assessments |
Functional Assessments |
Behavioural Assessments |
Primitive Reflex Assessments |
Non-verbal intelligence Assessments |
Re-assessments (Autism levels and Second opinions) |
What Next at Wildflower?
Non-Verbal Intelligence Testing
In 2024, we launched non-verbal intelligence assessments at Mater Dei School and Early Learning. We’re excited to now offer these at Wildflower, providing a fair, accurate measure of cognitive abilities for individuals who experience language or communication challenges.
Second Opinion Assessments
Sometimes a diagnosis doesn’t sit right. Sometimes, important parts of a person’s experience have been overlooked. That’s why we now offer second opinion assessments, whether it’s re-evaluating autism levels or providing a fresh perspective on an existing diagnosis, our aim is to give you clarity and confidence moving forward.
Girls and Women
In 2025, our focus remains on creating spaces where every person feels seen, valued, and understood. This past year, we’ve seen more referrals for females, especially tweens and teens, presenting with high internalised anxiety. Our clinicians are passionate about recognising and supporting girls, women, and anyone with an internalised presentation that can easily go unnoticed.
We know assessments can feel overwhelming. Not because of the assessment itself, but because the process can often feel daunting. At Wildflower, we’re here to make the journey less daunting, providing support, understanding, and guidance every step of the way.
If this speaks to you, submit an enquiry below and we’ll be in touch.
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