Psycho-educational Assessment
Psycho-educational (also referred to as psychometric or cognitive & achievement) assessment for the diagnosis of learning disorders, intellectual disability and giftedness in children, adolescents and adults.
This may also form part of a broader assessment in some cases.
This typically involves two 2 hour assessment sessions. Parents are provided a report detailing the findings of the assessment.
We utilise the “gold standard” Wechsler assessments including:- The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition, Australian and New Zealand Standardised Edition (WPPSI-IV A&NZ) for children aged between 2 years 6 months and 7 years 7 months;
- the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition, Australian and New Zealand Standardised Edition (WISC-V A&NZ) for children aged between 6 years to 16 years 11 months;
- the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition, Australian and New Zealand Language Adapted Edition (WAIS-IV A&NZ Language Adapted Edition) for adolescents and adults aged 16 years and up;
- and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Australian and New Zealand Standardised, Third Edition (WIAT-III A&NZ) for children, adolescents and adults aged from 4 years and up.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Diagnostic Assessment
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessment for diagnosis.
This usually involves cognitive and achievement assessment in addition to a clinical interview and the administration of a screening questionnaires (for example, the Conners 3rd Edition (Conners-3) questionnaire ) to rule out differential diagnoses and capture information about behaviour in a range of settings (generally home and school).
We may also include the administration of other tests such as the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) , a language-free computer based test which measures variables including attention, impulsivity, and focus, to provide specific information that can contribute to a diagnosis.
Currently there is no medically based test that provides diagnostic information, however a thorough assessment such as this can ensure that all potential explanations for behaviour are being considered in order to reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis or overlooking other comorbid factors that contribute to the presentation. Diagnosis usually requires complex clinical judgements which weigh up information from many sources.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment for diagnosis.
This usually utilises a range of instruments including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Revised (ADI-R). These can be administered from the age of 12 months (ADOS-2) or from a mental age of 2 years (ADI-R).
These are considered the “gold standard” assessment tools often required for official funding for the school and community (National Disability Insurance Scheme; NDIS).
The assessment also includes an adaptive behaviour assessment to determine functional capacity. Other rating scales may be utilised to assist in making recommendations or to determine comorbid conditions.