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Assessments

As a part of all assessments, the client will be provided with a psychological report outlining the assessment results, and a feedback session explaining the results.

Please contact us for information on assessment fees.

Cognitive assessment

A cognitive assessment explores a person’s IQ (intelligence quotient), which can be described as their cognitive or thinking abilities. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fifth Edition (WISC-V) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) are cognitive assessments which explore different thinking abilities, including verbal comprehension, visual spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed. Cognitive assessments are available for individuals aged from 6 years to adulthood.

Academic assessment

An academic assessment explores a person’s academic achievement in different areas. The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Third Edition (WIAT-III) is an assessment of academic skills that measures a person’s academic abilities in the areas of reading, writing, oral language and mathematics. Academic assessments are available for individuals from 4 years to 50 years of age.

Cognitive and academic assessment, including for Specific Learning Disorder

Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which involves continuing difficulties with reading, writing and/or mathematics. SLD assessment involves assessing the child’s cognitive and academic skills using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fifth Edition (WISC-V) or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Third Edition (WIAT-III). Assessment for SLD is available for individuals aged from 6 years to 50 years of age.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment

*Final quote to be provided following the intake session*

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving difficulties with social interactions, communication and behaviour. An ASD assessment for children and adolescents involves collating parent and teacher reports, including a semi-structured interview with the parent and questionnaire measures for parent and teacher, in addition to an assessment of adaptive behaviour (i.e. everyday living skills) and clinician observations. It also involves an assessment of the individual’s cognitive abilities, including exploring whether the individual may also have an Intellectual Disability or strengths and/or weaknesses in particular cognitive abilities.

The following represents the assessments typically administered as part of an ASD assessment. Some assessments may be added or removed at the clinician’s discretion and in consultation with the client:

  • Childhood Autism Rating Scale Second Edition (CARS-2)
  • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fifth Edition (WISC-V) or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
  • Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales Third Edition (Vineland-3)
  • Social and emotional screeners (e.g. Child Behavioural Checklist and/or Social Responsiveness Scale Second Edition)
  • Play-based observation in the clinic and/or naturalistic observation at home or school, if necessary

ASD assessments are offered for children, adolescents and adults. A screening process is in place to ensure suitability for ASD assessment within the scope of what we are able to offer at Align Psychology.

Intellectual disability (ID) assessment

ID involves low general intellectual functioning and significant challenges with adaptive behaviour (i.e. everyday living skills). An assessment for ID involves a cognitive assessment using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 5th edition (WISC-V) or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and an adaptive behaviour assessment using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales Third Edition (Vineland-3). Other assessments may also be included at the clinician’s discretion. ID assessments are available for individuals aged from 6 years to adulthood.