Paediatric Neuropsychological Services
About
About Ellaina
Ellaina is a registered psychologist and endorsed Clinical Neuropsychologist with a strong passion for paediatric neuropsychology. She has extensive experience across clinical and research settings, with a particular focus on the assessment and support of children with neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disorders, and FASD. Her aim is for every family to leave with greater confidence, clear guidance, and strategies to help their child reach their full potential.
She works at Monash Children’s Hospital within the specialised Developmental Regression Clinic and provides private assessments through Offspring Health. Her area of expertise is working with children aged 2 to 15 years.
Alongside her clinical work, Ellaina is a PsyBA-approved supervisor, is a PhD Candidate and previously held an academic position at Monash University.
What is neuropsychology?
Paediatric neuropsychology focuses on how brain development and function impact a child’s thinking, behaviour, emotions, and daily life. Neuropsychologists study brain-behaviour relationships to understand difficulties in areas such as attention, learning, memory, problem solving, planning, and behavioural regulation. Often, cognitive challenges and behavioural issues are closely linked
Neuropsychological assessments aim to understand how neurological or developmental conditions may affect a child’s functioning across home, school, and social settings. By providing comprehensive assessments, diagnoses, and tailored intervention strategies to support children with:
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ADHD
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Learning disorders (e.g., dyslexia)
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Autism spectrum disorders
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Intellectual disability
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
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Neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, brain tumours)
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Acquired brain injuries
Common questions Neuropsychology testing can help answer
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Is my child eligible for support services like the NDIS?
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Could ADHD, autism, or a learning difficulty be impacting my child's learning or behaviour?
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Is my child ready to start school?
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What supports are available for VCE or exam modifications?
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How does a medical or neurological condition (like epilepsy or a brain injury) affect my child’s thinking, emotions, or daily life?
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My child is bright but still struggling—why?
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Why is my child having trouble focusing, following instructions, or staying organised?
Specialized Services
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Cognitive and Educational Assessments
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Assessments for autism
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Clinical supervision
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Guest Lecturing
What does a neuropsychology assessment involve
3. Collateral information
To gain a comprehensive understanding of your child across different settings, not just in the clinic, the assessment process may include speaking with your child’s school, as well as any other clinicians or allied health professionals involved in their care. All of the information gathered will be carefully integrated into a detailed report, outlining the assessment findings and providing clear, tailored recommendations for next steps.
1. Caregiver interview
The first stage of any assessment is a comprehensive caregiver interview. This is an opportunity to discuss your child’s developmental history, from pregnancy and birth through to their current functioning at home, at school, and in social settings.
This conversation helps clarify your goals for the neuropsychological assessment and ensures the testing approach is thoughtfully tailored to your child’s unique needs
2. Face to face assessment
Cognitive testing is typically completed over 2 to 4 sessions, each lasting between 60 to 90 minutes.
Clinical Neuropsychologists are trained to administer a wide range of standardised assessment tools. These may include, but are not limited to, the WISC-V, WIAT-III, WPPSI-IV, and ADOS-2.
The selection of tests is guided by your child’s age, grade level, and the specific goals identified during the parent intake session, ensuring a tailored and meaningful assessment process
4. Family Feedback
The final stage of a neuropsychological assessment involves a feedback session with the family, and with the young person, depending on their age. This is an opportunity to discuss the assessment outcomes, any relevant diagnoses, and the recommended next steps.
These next steps may include:
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Referrals to a paediatrician or other allied health professionals
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Collaborating with the school to identify learning goals and strategies to support your child in the classroom
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Guidance on accessing appropriate support services, such as the NDIS, and
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Implementing tailored cognitive strategies to help your child in daily life
FAQs
What will my child do at the assessment?
Your child will complete a range of structured tasks designed to explore their thinking and learning skills. These may include puzzles, memory games, attention tasks, language-based activities, and academic-style tasks. The assessment is designed to feel engaging and interactive, and breaks are offered as needed.
How long will it take to do the assessment?
The full assessment journey typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, depending on your child’s age, needs, and the reason for referral. In some cases, the assessment may be completed in a shorter or longer time frame depending on your family's specific needs.
Do parents attend the testing sessions?
Typically testing is conducted one-on-one with your child to help them focus and feel independent. For younger children, a parent may be asked to remain nearby if it helps the child feel more comfortable.
Is the assessment covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
Neuropsychological assessments are not typically covered by Medicare. Some private health funds may offer partial rebates depending on your extras cover. We recommend checking with your insurer. You may also be able to use NDIS funding if your child is already approved.
Can the report be used to apply for school support or funding?
Yes. Our reports are detailed and include recommendations that can assist with school-based supports, VCE Special Exam Arrangements, and applications for funding through the NDIS or other programs.
