Psychometric Assessments
Psychometric assessments, also known as cognitive assessments or IQ tests, are utilised to identify a child’s intellectual potential and are a great first step when understanding what difficulties or areas of strength and exception your child may have. This assessment is conducted 1:1 with the child and psychologist, incorporating a range of age-appropriate activities and puzzles in order to determine their learning potential. Areas assessed include verbal comprehension, visual spatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed. The pattern of results, as well as the full scores, provides information helpful when considering the child’s individual strengths and difficulties, potential and areas for development. There are three versions of psychometric assessment used, depending on the age of the person being assessed, and ranges from pre-school age to adult.
All assessments come with a comprehensive report with recommendations for the home and school.
Academic Assessment
Academic assessments take the psychometric results further by assessing the child’s current achievement levels within specific academic areas. This is helpful when a child’s school performance doesn’t match the potential identified in the cognitive assessment, and provides further information which can support a diagnosis of specific learning disorders (SLD).
Behavioural & Mental Health Assessments
These assessments incorporate a range of observations., interviews and assessment tools depending on the specific concerns for the individual. These assessments are able to assist with identifying any potential diagnosis as per the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) including ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive or combined), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Major Depressive Episode, Manic Episode, Manic Depressive Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Adaptive Functioning Assessments
Adaptive functioning assessments are helpful in describing an individual’s general adaptive behaviour and their functioning across ten related adaptive skills areas. This checklist can be completed by the individual, parents and teachers to provide a summary of functioning within these ten skills across multiple environments. This assessment is particularly helpful alongside a cognitive/psychometric assessment.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments assessments are comprehensive to ensure a thorough understanding of the child is gained across the home and school environment, as well as 1:1 with Helen. An assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder typically involves interviews with parents, teachers and the child; observation of the child within the classroom and playground setting, as well as checklists specific to the child’s needs completed by parents, teachers and if appropriate, the child themselves. Following the ASD assessment, Helen is able to provide a report with a diagnosis if the criteria is met with recommendations for the child, family and school.
Professional Development Workshops
Helen is experienced in providing professional development workshops tailored to your needs. Whether you are looking at education development for teachers and staff, a deep dive in learning strategies to support students, or a workshop for parents and families, Helen can work with you to provide evidence based recommendations and information that is easily understood, practical and effective.