Psychological supports, delivered by registered psychologists

For the NDIS decision-makers, and plan reviewers:

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Psychologists working in the NDIS space are often positioned to offer qualified and unique expertise and services regarding neurodevelopmental differences and supports:

• diagnostic authority* of neurodevelopmental conditions

• training in differential and cooccurring diagnosis, comprehensive biopsychosocial formulation and formal theoretical and clinical knowledge in human psychological development (across the lifespan)

• upheld to professional standards in general and specific areas of operation e.g., child development and neurodevelopmental conditions

• trained in evidence-based research and evaluation of current research literature

• are uniquely positioned to draw from formal education and training in specific psychological evidence-based interventions and therapeutic approaches, as well as more specific training

• proficiency to build internal social, emotional and cognitive capacities that support sustainable skills in engaging, persisting and self-advocating across functional domains and environments

• scope to work with complex diagnostic and functional neurodevelopmental profiles, including how these may manifest across functional domains and environments

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*Clarity on the diagnostic capacity of Registered Psychologists
Diagnosis of psychological, mental health, psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions:

Registered Psychologists hold diagnostic authority and are legally and professional qualified to make diagnoses. This is irrespective of endorsement (e.g., ‘Clinical Psychologist or ‘Educational and Developmental Psychologist’) which is not a separate AHPRA or PsyBA registration (i.e. A ‘Clinical Psychologist’ is a Registered Psychologist with Clinical Endorsement), and such endorsements (or titles) do not confer diagnostic exclusivity, nor alone represent expertise in neurodevelopmental conditions. Diagnostic Authority is also assigned to other selected professionals, such as paediatricians and psychiatrists.