Cognitive Assessments or intelligence tests   are used to assist with determining a person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

How might a Cognitive Assessment help my child?

There are many reasons why your child’s psychologist may suggest a Cognitive Assessment. For instance:

1. To obtain an accurate profile of a child’s overall intellectual functioning or IQ level
2. To identify a child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses<
3. To assist in exploring a child’s learning difficulties
4. To assist in the examination of:

• Intellectual giftedness
• Specific learning disabilities
• Intellectual disabilities

How does a Cognitive Assessment help an adult?

• Some roles such as government positions require a cognitive assessment as part of the application process.

• Offices such as Centrelink often require a Disability assessment as part of the application process for Disability assessment. In conjunction with an Adaptive Functioning Assessment, a cognitive assessment is required for a diagnosis of Intellectual Delay.

• Those who are unable to sit for the Citizenship Test due to cognitive impairment will need to provide a current report supporting the diagnosis of intellectual delay.

For further information, contact Psychological Assessment Solutions on 0425 269 658 to book a Cognitive Assessment either at our offices, your home or school, or simply to discuss if a Cognitive Assessment could benefit your child.

When most people think about Dyslexia, they think about reversing numbers and letters and difficulties with reading. But Dyslexia is far more than this. Most children and adults who are diagnosed with Dyslexia report a number of other difficulties with spelling, writing, comprehension and memory.

Without proper diagnosis, children quite often become frustrated without the knowledge of why they are experiencing difficulties at school, lack interest in school and consequently are quite often mistaken for having behavioural difficulties.

Many teens and adults may have found ways to mask Dyslexia often re-teaching themselves in ways that they can retain and re-use information presented to them. Over time, the focus becomes on developing compensatory strategies when they have to read, write and spell.

Contact us for more information about Dyslexia in adults.

Benefits of undergoing a Dyslexia Assessment: There are a number of reasons why undergoing a Dyslexia Assessment is useful. Firstly, it will identify key problem areas and will provide more knowledge so you can assist your child best or improve their skills to circumvent these difficulties. More specifically:

• Many schools require a formal report in order to be provided with extra accommodations at school, like additional time for test-taking or modifying how homework is delivered.
• It may help the child feel to better about the difficulty, because they know it’s not “their fault”, but just how their brain is wired.
• The assessments usually give you a profile of your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses in things like phonemic awareness, visual-spatial skills, and more.
• Adults that are diagnosed with Dyslexia are able to apply for additional time for their studies. Furthermore, a lot of people find it difficult to explain the problem to others and the report will help you to be able to do that better.
• In the workplace, the report can be used to see if any adjustments can be made to the way you work in order to help you do your job more efficiently.
• And for those who are seeking employment and finding it difficult due to the need to complete psychometric assessments, a formal report can assist you in requesting a modified assessment process. A Dyslexia assessment is also a useful safeguard in the event that you are discriminated against at work.

Are you thinking of enrolling your child into Primary School next year? Starting school is a big step for little children. You might have heard the term ‘school readiness’ – but what does that really mean? Find out all about school readiness and how you can help your child prepare for big school!

What is ‘School Readiness’?

‘School readiness’ is a measure of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that enable children to participate and succeed in school. Parents sometimes think that school readiness means being able to read, write and do basic maths before starting school. But this isn’t the case! School readiness is about the development of the whole child – their social and emotional skills, physical skills, communication skills and cognitive skills. Children cannot thrive at school if they haven’t developed the skills to manage things like getting along with other children, following instructions, and communicating their needs.

Research shows that children who start school when developmentally ready to learn tend to do better in school – and it sets them up for further success later in life.

Who should have a school readiness assessment?

• Worried your child isn’t developmentally &/or cognitively keeping up with their peers?
• Worried your child may not be emotionally ready for school?
• Does your child have language delays?
• Does your child have fine motor skill problems?
• Does your child have difficulties concentrating and paying attention?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions a school readiness assessment may be appropriate for your child.

A school readiness assessment can be conducted to clarify any specific areas of strengths and weaknesses of your child. The assessment will describe skills that your child may need to develop, and we will also give you recommendations for how problem areas can be addressed. We work together with you to put together a program to help accelerate your child’s cognitive development so that starting school doesn’t have to be a struggle.

A three hour consultation is all it takes to help you make the right decision. Not only will you know if your child is school ready, but we will be able to give you the confidence on how you can support your child’s learning, drawing on the things that they are good at, so the experience becomes positive for all, especially for your child.