What Makes a Good Assessment Report in Psychology? A Psychologist’s Guide to Reports That Don’t Suck

Let’s be honest: most psychologists didn’t get into the field because they love writing assessment reports. And yet, report writing is a huge part of our professional responsibilities. Whether it’s a diagnostic report, a letter to a GP, or a comprehensive psychological assessment for NDIS, your written communication reflects your clinical judgement and professionalism.

But here’s the thing: many assessment reports are either too vague, too full of jargon, or aren’t fit for purpose—and sometimes, all three.

So how do we write reports that are clinically meaningful and easy to understand? Let’s talk about what makes a good assessment report (and how to avoid the common pitfalls).

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What’s the Purpose of an Assessment Report?

Before you start writing, ask yourself: Who is this for, and what do they need to know?

A good assessment report:

• Communicates clinical findings clearly

• Provides meaningful recommendations

• Supports continuity of care

• Respects the client’s voice and dignity

• Is accessible to the intended reader (whether that’s a GP, teacher, allied health professional) and the client themselves

  
  

If your report reads like it was written for a PhD examiner, or if it leaves your referrer unsure about what to do next, it’s probably missing the mark.

1. Start with a Clear Structure

💡 Tip: Structure supports clarity.

Use consistent headings to break up the report. Common ones include:

• Reason for Referral

• Assessment Tools Used

• Background History

• Observations During Session

• Results and Interpretation

• Diagnostic Impressions (if applicable)

• Recommendations

Having a predictable format helps with the flow of a report and ensures you don’t accidentally leave out important sections. It also helps you stay focused as you write. Make sure you tailor your format for the specific diagnostic assessment you are doing.

2. Tailor the Language to Your Audience

It’s easy to fall into the trap of “psych-speak” in reports. But unless your reader is another psychologist, they probably don’t need a literature review on the psychometric properties of the tool you used.

Instead: 

✔ Use plain language where possible

✔ Avoid excessive acronyms or overly clinical terms

✔ Be kind to your reader—remember that your client (or their family) are likely to read

this. Are you comfortable with how you are speaking about them?

Remember: clear communication is a clinical skill. You’re not oversimplifying it—you’re making your language useful to the reader.

3. Keep It Relevant (Not Just Comprehensive)

More information doesn’t always equal a better report. A common mistake is including every single detail from the clinical interview, even if it’s not relevant to the referral question.

💡 Ask yourself: Does this add value?

If you’re writing a report for ADHD assessment, do we need two paragraphs on early toilet training? If you’re writing for a school, do they need to know about the parents' trauma history? Maybe. Maybe not.

Be thorough—but stay on task. Ensure what you are writing about is clinically relevant to the reason for referral.

4. Interpret the Results—Don’t Just Describe Them

Listing scores from standardised tools is not enough. You need to interpret the results in plain English and link them to the client’s real-life functioning.

For example:

"The client’s performance on the Working Memory Index (WMI) fell in the low

average range. Combined with her reported difficulties following multi-step

instructions at school, this may suggest challenges retaining and manipulating

verbal information in learning contexts."

Now you’re linking data to presentation—and giving the reader something meaningful.

5. Provide Realistic, Individualised Recommendations

Generic recommendations like “may benefit from therapy” are vague and unhelpful. You want your report to be actionable.

✔ What kind of therapy?

✔ What specific accommodations might help?

✔ Who can implement these strategies, and how?

Tailor your recommendations to the client’s context. If it’s a teen with ADHD who’s struggling in class, name the executive functioning strategies. If it’s an adult seeking an autism diagnosis, include workplace accommodations and psychoeducation resources.

Bonus Tip: Reports Should Not Be Traumatic to Read

I’ll say it plainly: some assessment reports are written with such cold, deficit-focused language that they can be distressing for clients to read. Choose your words carefully.

✔ Use neutral language wherever possible

✔ Frame observations with context

✔ Avoid pathologising phrasing like “manipulative” or “attention-seeking”

Clients deserve to see themselves reflected in your reports with dignity and compassion.

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Want Support with Writing Better Assessment Reports?

If you're working with neurodivergent clients and want to lift the quality of your Autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments and reports, my Autism and ADHD Diagnostic Assessment Training goes beyond the basics. In this training, I walk you through how to write reports that are affirming, diagnostically sound, and tailored to the unique needs of your clients—especially those with internalised or less stereotyped presentations.

Included exclusively in this course is my custom-built Autism and ADHD diagnostic report template. You won’t find this template sold separately—it’s part of the comprehensive support I provide inside the training.

➡ Learn more about this training here:

Autism & ADHD Diagnostic Assessment Training

Final Thoughts: Reports Should Be Fit For Purpose

Good assessment reports should be clear, purposeful, and usable. When you write with your reader in mind—and let the referral question guide you—you’ll produce reports that genuinely support better care. Let’s lift the standard without lifting your stress levels.