Cognitive Assessments
What are cognitive assessments?
Cognitive assessments, commonly known as IQ tests involves a series of different activities to help determine an individual’s learning capability or learning potential by identifying cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Cognitive assessments are helpful to provide suitable recommendations for teachers, parents and other professional that are used to meet those learning needs of children, adolescents and adults.
At Picton Psychology we offer Cognitive Assessment for adults and children aged from 6 years. These tests can provide an estimate of overall cognitive functioning, as well as their ability in specific cognitive areas, including:
- Verbal comprehension – the ability to express general knowledge using words.
- Perceptual reasoning – the ability to problem solve without words.
- Memory functioning – the ability to concentrate and recall new information.
- Processing speed – the ability to quickly process material.
What are the benefits of assessment?
- Determine an individual’s true ability.
- Help understand how intellectual abilities affect learning.
- Assist teachers in developing Individual Learning Plans (IPLs).
- Provide evidence to schools and universities to obtain provisions.
- Obtain extension activities for gifted children.
- Prevent negative outcomes at school, including disruptive behaviours, school avoidance and refusal, and low self-esteem.
- Potential for academic and occupational achievement.
- Access school based and home based funding.
What are the tests used for assessments?
Our experienced psychologists provide cognitive assessments for children aged 10 years and above, adolescents, and adults, utilising the following assessments;
- Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children – Fifth edition (WISC-V Australian Standard) for children aged 6 to 16 years.
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth edition (WAIS-IV Australian Standard) for ages 16 to 90 years
What does the assessment process look like?
The process of a cognitive assessment involves four stages:
- Initial appointment to perform a through interview in order to obtain all relevant background information.
- Administration of WAIS-IV or WISC-V.
- Your psychologist will complete a comprehensive report, suggestions for intervention and recommendations for home and school.
- Feedback session to discuss the results of the cognitive assessment and the report.