Assessments

Our trained professionals can assess children, adolescents and adults.

Psychological assessments are an invaluable tool for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves or their children. They involve a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning to help diagnose, understand, and support various psychological conditions.

At Home Psychology and Speech Therapy, our trained psychologists specialise in administering assessments and reporting on a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, cognitive assessments spanning from intellectual disability to giftedness, specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, and attention deficit/hyperactivity. These assessments play a crucial role in diagnosing, understanding, and supporting various psychological conditions, helping individuals and families achieve clarity and support.

Autism Assessments

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments are designed to identify the presence and severity of ASD symptoms. The assessment typically involves a combination of standardised tests, interviews with the individual and their caregivers, and behavioral observations. These assessments are conducted by our trained psychologists who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism.

Autism assessments typically involve evaluating the individual's social communication skills, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. The assessment results can help clinicians make an accurate diagnosis of Autism, determine the severity of symptoms, and develop a tailored treatment plan.

We use the following assessment tools; 

  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) 

  • Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) 

Cognitive Assessments

Cognitive assessments focus on evaluating an individual's cognitive traits and abilities, encompassing mental processes related to acquiring, processing, storing, and utilising information. These evaluations can encompass a wide array of cognitive abilities, such as:

  • Attention: The ability to focus and sustain attention on a task.

  • Memory: The ability to store, retain, and retrieve information.

  • Language: The ability to use and understand language.

  • Perception: The ability to interpret and make sense of sensory information.

  • Executive functioning: The ability to plan, organise, and problem-solve.

  • Processing speed: The ability to quickly and accurately process information.

  • Visuospatial skills: The ability to understand and manipulate visual information.

Cognitive assessments aid in identifying an individual's strengths and areas for improvement. Our expertise extends to assessing individuals across a broad spectrum of intelligence levels.

We use the following standardised assessment tools:  

  • Standardised Cognitive Assessment such as the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence - Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V), or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

  • Adaptive functioning questionnaire such as the Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System - Third Edition (ABAS-3)

  • Clinical interview to gather background information

  • School reports.

Learning Assessments

Learning assessments are used to evaluate a individual’s cognitive and academic abilities and can help identify areas of strengths and weaknesses. Learning assessments evaluate various aspects of a child's cognitive abilities, including verbal and nonverbal reasoning, memory, and processing speed, and can help identify learning disabilities or other conditions that may impact a child's academic performance.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), there are three types of specific learning disorders:

  • Specific learning disorder with impairment in reading (also known as dyslexia): This involves difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, reading comprehension, or reading speed.

  • Specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression (also known as dysgraphia): This involves difficulties with the ability to express oneself in writing, including problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and organisation of written material.

  • Specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics (also known as dyscalculia): This involves difficulties with mathematical skills, including problems with understanding numerical concepts, memorising mathematical facts, and performing mathematical operations.

We use the following assessment tools; 

  • Standardised Cognitive Assessment such as the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence - Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V), or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

  • Adaptive functioning questionnaire such as the Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System - Third Edition (ABAS-3)

  • Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition (WIAT III) 

  • Clinical interview to gather background information

  • School reports.

ADHD Assessments

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments are used to identify the presence of ADHD symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD are generally divided into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Here are some common symptoms associated with each category:

Inattention:

  • Difficulty paying attention to details or making careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities

  • Struggles with sustaining attention in tasks or play activities

  • Seems to not listen when spoken to directly

  • Often forgetful in daily activities, such as forgetting appointments or homework

  • Difficulty organising tasks or activities

Hyperactivity:

  • Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat

  • Difficulty staying seated during class or other situations where sitting is expected

  • Runs or climbs excessively, even in inappropriate situations

  • Difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly

  • Talks excessively

Impulsivity:

  • Blurts out answers before questions have been completed

  • Difficulty waiting their turn in situations like playing games or waiting in line

  • Interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations or activities

  • Engages in risky behaviour without considering the consequences

It's important to note that not everyone with ADHD will exhibit all of these symptoms, and symptoms can also vary in severity

We use the Following assessment tools:

  • Conners - 4 ADHD Rating Scales

  • Behaviour Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3) - for children and adolescents 

  • Standardised Cognitive Assessment such as the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence - Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V), or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

  • Clinical interview to gather background information

  • School reports.

Assessment Process

  • Begin by completing our online intake forms and provide any pertinent reports from the school or other allied health professionals. 

  • Engage in a 60-minute intake session with one of our psychologists. This session involves a discussion about developmental history and current concerns. There is no obligation to proceed with the assessment at this stage. Together, you and your psychologist will identify the relevant assessment(s), create a plan, and book the assessment. A final quote will be provided after this appointment..

  • Following the intake session, your psychologist may share psychometric questionnaires with you, your child/adolescent, and/or their teacher for completion

  • Now your assessment begins! You will be booked in for between one and seven assessment sessions, depending on which assessment(s) are included in your assessment package.
    Some appointments will be for your child/adolescent, and others will be for you to attend without them. This will be made clear in the plan you receive at your intake session.

  • Now it's our turn! After we have gathered data from questionnaires, observations, interviews and test results, your psychologist will spend time interpreting the information to determine your child's strengths and areas of support. This may include whether or not your child/adolescent meets criteria for any diagnoses.
    Your psychologist will then write an extensive report which includes your background information, the results, their interpretation and, most importantly, comprehensive individualised recommendations to support your child/adolescent at home and at school.

  • Experience a 50-90 minute feedback session with your psychologist, during which you will be informed of results and diagnoses (if applicable). The focus is on explaining the decision-making process and discussing tailored recommendations.
    If the assessment was for your child, the feedback session occurs without your child/adolescent present. Optionally, include a 30-minute child/adolescent feedback session to explain results directly to them. In most cases, we recommend involving your child/adolescent's school in the feedback session. You can choose to include them in your feedback session or arrange a separate school feedback session.

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