Cognitive Assessments
These assessments are standardised psychological tests that are used to provide estimates of an individuals intellectual functioning. Often referred to as IQ tests they are used to provide a cognitive profile of intellectual strengths and weaknesses. Cognitive assessments are also used to provide a comparison of cognitive functioning between the individual tested and peers of the same age. Cognitive assessments are used for a number of reasons including eligibility for applications with various government agencies such as the department of health and aging as well as assistance with decision making regarding appropriate school placement and levels of support. Cognitive assessments are most often requested by schools or parents to assist in determining any potential delay that may be contributing to difficulty learning or poor overall outcomes. In contrast, they are also used to identify individuals who may be functioning well above their same age group and to determine how they can be engaged and extended.
Cherished Minds provides comprehensive and practical reports that assist in understanding the individuals cognitive and learning profile including recommendations for support and next steps. All assessments include an initial parent interview, clinic assessment and parent debrief to discuss outcomes and recommendations.
Weschsler Child Intelligence Scale: WISC-V
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children®- Fifth Edition Australian Standardised Edition (WISC-IV) provides essential information and critical clinical insights into a child’s cognitive functioning.
Using updated norms to match the current Australian census data it is designed to provide a profile of intellectual functioning of children aged 6.0-16.11 years. The WISC-V provides scores that represent intellectual functioning in five specified domains, Verbal Comprehension IQ, Visual Spatial IQ, Fluid Reasoning IQ, Processing Speed IQ and Working Memory IQ. The WISC-V also provides a full-scale IQ score measuring general intellectual ability.
Weschsler Adult Intelligence Scale: WAIS-IV
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale | Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) is the most advanced adult measure of cognitive ability, based on recent research in the area of cognitive neuroscience and the theories and work of David Wechsler PhD.
The WAIS-IV provides scores that represent intellectual functioning in five specified domains, Verbal Comprehension IQ, Visual Spatial IQ, Fluid Reasoning IQ, Processing Speed IQ and Working Memory IQ. These scores assist in understanding the individual’s cognitive capacity when compared to other individuals their age. The WAIS is designed to assess individuals from 16 years to 90 years 11 months.
WIAT-III: Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (Aus & NZ)
The WIAT-III A&NZ is a measure of academic achievement.
Using a total of 16 sub-tests it provides information to identify the academic strengths and weaknesses of a student, assist with making informed decisions regarding eligibility for educational services, educational placement, or diagnosis of a specific learning disability. The WIAT is often used when a child’s cognitive profile (using the WISC) fails to identify a particular concern however the child continues to struggle academically.
The WIAT-III is further designed to assist planning interventions that will assist with intervention and skill development.
Assessment of Functioning
A Functional Capacity Assessment is an evaluation that is used to determine a person’s functional abilities and limitations in performing everyday activities. It is often used to ensure that individuals have the right level of support to achieve their goals. Functional capacity assessments are often paired with cognitive assessments to give an overall view of the individuals cognitive capacity as well as how they function in a practical manner day to day. This can further assist in determining any gap between the two which can be an important distinction to identify.
ABAS-3: Adaptive Functioning Assessment
The Adaptive Behaviour Assessment system (ABAS-3) is a comprehensive, norm-referenced assessment of adaptive skills needed to effectively and independently care for ones-self, respond to others, and meet environmental demands at home, school, work and in the community. The ABAS-3 reflects current standards of describing adaptive behaviour and diagnosing conditions in which it may be impaired.
The ABAS-3 is a versatile instrument and allows for a variety of respondents including parents/carers in addition teachers and other professionals.
The ABAS-3 cab be used for individuals from birth to 89 years in many different settings. The results of the ABAS-3 are also used assess and create interventions to support and promote daily living skills and an individual’s overall quality of life.
Other assessments
Cherished Minds provides various assessment options to assist in identifying areas of need and what support may be required. Cherished Minds can provide assessment regarding autism diagnosis, ADHD diagnosis, learning and cognitive profiles, risk assessments, anxiety, depression and other neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions. Cherished Minds uses a variety of methods to complete a thorough assessment such as interview with parents and teachers, school and clinic observations and evidence-based screeners and standardised assessments.
If you are unsure what assessment or service you may require, please call and talk to our friendly team who can place you in contact with one of our psychologists for a brief discussion. Alternatively, you can book a one-off consultation with a senior psychologist to discuss your situation and next steps.