Cognitive Assessment
WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT?
Our assessment services are crafted to unveil a comprehensive understanding of individuals, exploring their cognitive functioning, personality traits, underlying diagnoses, and potential neurodivergence. These insights not only empower us to tailor personalized support but also contribute to a more nuanced identification of their unique strengths and needs, guiding us towards thoughtful and effective next steps.
HOW DO ASSESSMENTS WORK?
The National Positive Behaviour Support conducts assessments through a carefully structured process. It commences with an initial session dedicated to gathering pertinent background information, progresses through assessment session(s), and concludes with a final feedback appointment. The cost includes these sessions and a detailed report, all encompassed within the quoted total prices.
It’s essential to acknowledge that the assessment process may undergo slight modifications based on individual needs and the specific type of assessment required. Our clinic administration team and clinicians will be able to further discuss with you what your specific assessment process may look like.
COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS
Cognitive assessment serves as a comprehensive exploration of an individual’s general thinking and reasoning ability, commonly known as intellectual functioning. These assessments prove invaluable when addressing challenges in learning, navigating broader difficulties within educational or professional settings, or when individuals are exploring eligibility for support services or funding programs.
At National Positive Behaviour Support, our approach to cognitive assessments involves the administration of standardized intelligence tests from the Wechsler suite. These tests, tailored to the client’s age and referral reason, cover crucial cognitive domains:
- Verbal comprehension: Grasping and expressing thoughts using words and understanding verbal information.
- Perceptual reasoning: Organizing and reasoning with visual information, solving visual problems.
- Working memory: The ability to retain and manipulate information in short-term memory.
- Processing speed: Scanning, processing, and accurately identifying information.
Depending on the client’s age and purpose of referral, we utilize specific tools:
- WPPSI-IV (pre-school & primary): 4 years to 7 years 7 months
- WISC-V (children): 6 years to 16 years 11 months
- WAIS-IV (adults): 16 years to 90 years 11 months
Our commitment is not only to conduct assessments but also to provide a wealth of valuable information about an individual’s cognitive profile and abilities.
AUTISM ASSESSMENT
Our assessment team, tailor each assessment to the unique needs of the individual. We extend our autism assessments to children (aged 4+), adolescents, and adults.
What’s Involved? Commencing with a thorough initial interview, our clinicians diligently determine the client’s assessment needs, evaluating whether there’s ample evidence to proceed. Following the autism assessment, the clinician meticulously reviews the results and compiles a comprehensive report. Subsequently, a feedback session is scheduled to effectively communicate the assessment findings.
Why Are Autism Assessments Beneficial? Unveiling the intricacies of an individual’s brain function not only fosters a deeper understanding but also empowers them to leverage their strengths. This understanding prevents misinterpretations of difficulties that may arise from not recognizing their neurodivergent identity.
Instruments Used in the Assessment: Our autism assessment team employs a range of standardized assessment tools, including:
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (2nd ed.) (ADOS-2)
- Autism Diagnostic Interview – revised (ADI-R)
- Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) or;
- Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales
As part of the comprehensive process, cognitive and adaptive functioning assessments are commonly recommended, conducted by either student clinicians or the registered psychologist themselves. The assessment also encompasses screening for other presentations to determine if additional assessments, such as for ADHD, are warranted.
ADHD ASSESSMENT
Behavioural assessments serve as invaluable tools in exploring a spectrum of concerns, encompassing but not confined to hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression, attention, learning, or social difficulties. These assessments are instrumental in discerning whether such behaviours align with age-appropriate expectations.
Primarily focused on assessing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, our clinics specialize in conducting comprehensive behavioural assessments. Individuals with ADHD may exhibit a range of behaviours, including:
- Inattention: Making careless errors, difficulty concentrating, challenges in organizing tasks, losing items, and being easily distracted.
- Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Restlessness, excessive talking, loud behaviour, impulsiveness in responding, impatience in turn-taking, and interrupting others.
Who Can Receive an ADHD Assessment? These assessments are available for individuals aged 5 and above.
What’s Involved in an ADHD Assessment? The assessment process typically commences with a thorough interview, delving into comprehensive developmental, social, and educational history. Whenever possible, we involve parents/caregivers and, for children and young adolescents, their teachers. This multi-perspective approach enhances our understanding of the individual’s functioning across various settings.
Instruments Used in ADHD Assessments: Our registered psychologists are adept in utilizing various assessment tools, including:
- Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-5) or;
- Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Children (Young DIVA-5)
- Vanderbilt Assessment Scales (VAS)
- Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale – Short or;
- Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) – Short
This comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of behavioural patterns, facilitating accurate and insightful ADHD assessments.
ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING
Our adaptive functioning assessments are designed to evaluate an individual’s capacity to effectively manage daily activities and navigate social interactions. The insights derived from these assessments play a crucial role in supporting applications (e.g., NDIS, DSP, etc.) and contribute valuable information for progress reporting, program development, and treatment planning.
WHODAS 2.0
The WHODAS 2.0 stands as a comprehensive health and disability assessment tool, spanning six domains of functioning: cognition, mobility, self-care, interactions with others, life activities (household and work), and community participation. Its holistic approach provides a nuanced understanding of an individual’s capabilities across various aspects of life.
VINELAND ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR SCALES (3RD EDITION) The Vineland-3 assesses three broad domains of adaptive functioning: communication, daily living skills, and socialization. This assessment tool not only aids in diagnosis but also furnishes valuable information essential for crafting educational and treatment plans tailored to an individual’s unique strengths and needs.
ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR ASSESSMENT SYSTEM, THIRD EDITION (ABAS-3)
The ABAS-3 proves particularly useful for evaluating individuals with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, learning disabilities, neuropsychological disorders, or sensory and physical impairments. By measuring adaptive skills, the ABAS-3 becomes a pivotal tool in scenarios where a disorder or condition impacts an individual’s daily functioning. Whether guiding decisions about the optimal learning environment for a child or ensuring the independent living capabilities of an older individual, the ABAS-3 provides indispensable information for making clinically sound decisions and designing effective interventions.
Our assessment services are crafted to unveil a comprehensive understanding of individuals, exploring their cognitive functioning, personality traits, underlying diagnoses, and potential neurodivergence. These insights not only empower us to tailor personalized support but also contribute to a more nuanced identification of their unique strengths and needs, guiding us towards thoughtful and effective next steps.
CONTACT US
We also conduct a range of assessments suitable to support a diagnosis.
Please fill the referral form using the button below to discuss what might be suitable for you.
