CANBERRA PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
“Problems with learning are often due to a range of factors that may include poor attention, behavior problems, problems with executive functioning or learning difficulties.”
Psycho-educational Assessment
What is a psycho-educational assessment?
“Psycho-educational assessment” is an umbrella term for various assessments that evaluate your child’s cognitive functioning (link), academic skills, and social and emotional wellbeing.
These assessments help to identify learning difficulties, determine appropriate educational interventions, and provide recommendations for support. They can also identify giftedness, ADHD, and other educational needs.
They are valuable tools for developing appropriate plans and interventions to support children in various areas of their life, especially learning.
CANBERRA PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
“At CPCCF, our assessments cover all relevant areas to identify any difficulties and strengths, and to recommend the best supports and interventions for your child.”
– ESTABLISHED 2014 –
The components of our psycho-educational assessments usually include:
Cognitive Assessment
This involves evaluating intellectual abilities, such as verbal and nonverbal reasoning, memory, processing speed, and problem-solving skills.
It helps identify strengths and weaknesses in cognitive functioning. (See IQ Page)
Attention Assessment
This evaluates attention span, impulse control, organisation, planning, and other executive functions that are important for general functioning and academic success. (See ADHD page)
Observations and Interviews
Parents, Teachers, or other relevant individuals are involved to provide key information about functioning across a range of areas in different settings.
Academic Assessment
This assesses your child’s academic skills in areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, and spelling. It helps identify specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia, or areas of strength. (SEE WIAT-III)
Social and emotional Assessment
Assessment: This assesses social and emotional functioning, including behaviour, social skills, emotional regulation, and mental health concerns that may impact general functioning and learning.
Writing
This can encompass challenges with spelling, written expression, overall written composition.
Report and Recommendations
Following the assessment, a detailed report is provided summarising the findings and recommendations for interventions, accommodations, and support services that may be beneficial for your child.
CANBERRA PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
“CPCCF was created with a vision to provide a centre of excellence within Canberra that combines assessment/diagnostics and evidence-based therapies.”
SERVING CANBERRA & SUROUNDING DISTRICTS SINCE 2014
Gifted Assessment
Gifted Assessment
A gifted assessment is designed to evaluate individuals who demonstrate exceptional intellectual abilities or potential in comparison to their peers.
If you suspect your child is gifted, testing will allow you to understand your child’s specific learning needs, including strengths and weaknesses.
By identifying giftedness early on, it’s more likely that your child’s giftedness will be developed into talents.
Generally, the best time to test gifted children is between the ages of 4 and 8.
The assessment process typically involves a combination of cognitive testing and academic evaluation.
Please note that our Assessment Team are happy to assist with MENSA applications.
Benefits of a gifted assessment:
Adaptive functioning is assessed through standardised measures with the individual and interviews with others, such as family members, teachers and caregivers (link to ABAS)
Gifted assessments are usually comprised of:
Evaluating academic achievement in reading, writing, mathematics, and other subjects helps identify discrepancies between intellectual ability and academic performance.
CANBERRA PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
“ The purpose of an assessment is to determine the cause of the academic problems so that proper services, interventions and treatments can be put in place.”
SERVING CANBERRA & SURROUNDS – EST. 2014
Early Entry Assessment
Early Entry Assessments
“Early entry” is the enrolment of a child into a state-run, private or independent school earlier than the state’s legislated starting age.
This is an accelerated option for children with highly developed natural abilities and/or an IQ in the gifted range.
Our Psychologists are experienced and qualified in conducting early entry assessment reports that comply with all ACT and NSW requirements.
To be considered:
In the ACT, to be considered for early entry into preschool or Kindergarten, a child must be three years old before commencing preschool, with a birth date falling before 30 April in the year of commencement, or four years old by 30 April to commence Kindergarten.
To apply:
To apply, parents must submit the Early Entry to Preschool or Kindergarten parent nomination form along with a cognitive assessment report, undertaken by an Australian Registered Psychologist, showing the child has a Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) score of 130 or above.
Our Psychologists are experienced and qualified in conducting early entry assessment reports that comply with all ACT and NSW requirements.
For more information on the requirements for early entry in the ACT, please click the link below.
CANBERRA PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
“ The purpose of an assessment is to determine the cause of the academic problems so that proper services, interventions and treatments can be put in place.”
SERVING CANBERRA & SURROUNDS – EST. 2014
Intellectual Disability Assessment
What is a Intellectual Disability (ID) ?
Intellectual Disability (ID) is a generalised developmental condition that affects a person’s ability to think, learn, and perform everyday tasks.
These challenges begin before the age of 18 and can range from mild to severe.
Early understanding of intellectual disabilities is vital and assists parents/family, clinicians and educators recognise the condition, provide appropriate interventions, and support individuals in leading meaningful,fulfilling lives.
CANBERRA PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
“At CPCCF, our assessments cover all relevant areas to identify any difficulties and strengths, and to recommend the best supports and interventions for your child.”
– ESTABLISHED 2014 –
This neurodevelopmental condition affects functioning in many areas that can be summarised to two key areas:
1. Cognitive functioning
Cognitive functioning refers to the mental processes used to acquire, store, and use information.
It encompasses a range of abilities important for daily life, including learning, thinking, reasoning, memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and attention.
Cognitive functioning is assessed via an age-appropriate IQ test (See IQ Page)
2. Adaptive functioning
3 main areas summarised as follows:
Adaptive functioning is assessed through standardised measures with the individual and interviews with others, such as family members, teachers and caregivers
What is Cognitive functioning ?
An IQ test, to assess cognitive functioning, is essential in the diagnosis of learning disorders.
Cognitive functioning refers to the mental processes used to acquire, store, and use information.
It encompasses a range of abilities important for daily life, including learning, thinking, reasoning, remembering, problem-solving, decision-making, and attention.