Cognitive Assessments
A cognitive or neuropsychological assessment investigates a person's underlying abilities that impact their learning, academic potential, and daily living skills. Cognitive functions include: intellect, short and long-term memory, phonological skills, academic abilities, attention, executive function, processing speed and visuospatial skills.
Everyone has strengths and experiences challenges in different areas but sometimes difficulties can be obstacles to an individual exercising their full abilities at work or in school. An assessment will help to determine areas where there might be challenges and can reveal where appropriate support, adaptations and strategies can be implemented to help that person reach their full potential.
It can be particularly useful for when:
A child has a known (or suspected) neurological insult or injury e.g. following chemotherapy or head injury.
A child has suspected processing deficits from an Educational or Clinical Psychology evaluation and a more in-depth assessment information is needed for intervention planning.
There is a need to clarify an unclear diagnosis e.g. to differentiate between ADHD and ASC or to identify a subtype of reading, writing or maths difficulty.
A child has a dramatic drop in educational achievement that cannot be explained by psychological or environmental factors, or when a child is not responding to existing intervention strategies.
A family requires a detailed and tailored ‘road map’ that helps to understand how to best support learning, emotional, psychological, and behavioural needs both inside and outside of school.
What does a cognitive assessment involve?
The assessment involves the child undertaking pen and paper assessments that measure various brain processes such as: sensorimotor functions, attentional processes, visual-spatial processes, language functions, learning and memory, executive functions, speed and efficiency of cognitive processing, academic achievement, and social-emotional functioning.
The basic assumptions of the assessment are:
Each brain is unique in its capacity, efficiency, adaptability, flexibility, experiences, and its interaction with the environment.
All children want to do well in school and get along with their peers.
Every brain can learn, but each brain does so differently.
The assessment will aim to identify the child’s unique pattern of strengths and difficulties, and the presence of any diagnosable conditions. This is invaluable for planning and supporting the child’s development and success in the school environment.
What can I expect following an assessment?
Following the assessment, families will receive an in-depth written report which details analysis and interpretation of the test results through a neuropsychological lens. The report will identify the child’s neuropsychological strengths and weaknesses, the presence of developmental disorders, learning disorders and subtypes of learning disorders (where applicable). The report will also identify how multiple patterns of symptoms may intersect and impact academic, social-emotional and behavioural functioning. Tailored recommendations will be made.
Please navigate to fees if you believe this service is for you or contact us if you would like to know more about our offerings.
