Assessments

 

We are able to provide a range of developmental and psychometric assessments. All assessments include a clinical parent interview that forms a critical part of the assessment, taking into consideration a child’s developmental history and other important factors (e.g., Cultural background). Assessments offered include (but are not limited to):

Assessment of Intellectual Functioning

Measuring a child’s intellectual functioning is sometimes referred to as measuring a child’s “IQ”. These measures help us to identify a child’s pattern of intellectual strengths and weaknesses across a range of areas. The most common measures used to assess intellectual functioning in children are the WPPSI (age range 2-5) and the WISC (age range 6-16).

An assessment of intellectual functioning can assist in a better understanding of a range if presenting issues including (but not limited to):

• academic difficulties/strengths in the classroom
• behavoural difficulties in the classroom
• developmental issues (e.g., Intellectual disability, Autism spectrum disorders)
• assessment of children with high intellectual potential

Educational Assessments

An educational assessment consists of a combination of measures that assess a child’s intellectual functioning (see above) and academic performance. The most common measure used to assess academic achievement in children is the WIAT which measures a child’s academic performance across a wide range of areas (Reading, Math, Writing, and Oral Language) in comparison to same age and/or grade peers.

An educational assessment can assist in the overall understanding of a range if issues including (but not limited to):

• poor academic performance within certain areas at school
• behavoural difficulties in the classroom (e.g., aggressive behaviours, acting the “clown”)
• attention and concentration difficulties in the class room
• appearing “bored” or disengaged in the classroom

School Readiness Assessments

As a parent, do you wonder whether your child has the necessary skills and abilities to commence school? Do you have concerns about delaying school entry?

At MCPC we work individually with each child/family giving careful consideration to a developmental checklist of skills and/or formal assessments to determine your child’s readiness for school.

We can also consult with your child’s pre-school or child care centre before school entry as well as provide advice regarding schools that may be suitable for your child.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments

Sometimes a parent may be concerned that their child is having 'social' difficulties. Sometimes, another professional working with your child may also express concern. The term 'Asperger's Syndrome' or 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' might be used to explain these difficulties. However, Autism Spectrum Disorders are more than just a child's difficulties in the social arena.

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The assessment of a child for Autism Spectrum is complex and is comprised of a clinical interview and a formal psychometric assessment. Unfortunately there is no single test which covers the whole spectrum of strengths and weaknesses as shown by children who may qualify as having a diagnosis and accurate diagnosis relies on the opinions of experienced clinicians such as, but not limited to, psychologists.

To make a determination of Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome) a child’s behaviours and functioning are evaluated in terms of the diagnostic criteria set out in the international guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-V).

Assessments that contribute to the decision relating to the diagnosis:

• Interviews with parents
• Discussion with Classroom teacher
• Interviews with previous and present professionals working with the child
• A cognitive assessment (e.g., WISC )
• Observation of the child at kinder/school and/or in other settings and the completion of The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
• Completion of other questionnaires by parents and teachers

Neuropsychology Assessments

Neuropsychological assessment can help determine the basis for memory problems, learning difficulties, attention problems and/or sudden changes in behaviour. A comprehensive examination of your child or adolescent is carried out, with specialised testing to provide a complete and thorough profile of your child's strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:

• Verbal intellectual skills
• Visual/nonverbal intellectual skills
• Language abilities
• Memory and learning skills
• Attention and information processing
• Higher level/ executive skills (such as problem solving, planning, reasoning, impulse control)
• Personality, social skills, behaviour, mood

The information enables useful diagnosis and/or monitoring of outcomes after treatment or over time, in relation to disorders that may be:

• Psychiatric (e.g. schizophrenia, OCD, mood disorder)Neurological (e.g. epilepsy, MS, younger and older age dementia)
• Acquired (e.g. head injury, stroke, alcohol related brain conditions, encephalitis, or other medical disorders)
• Developmental (e.g. learning disability, behavioural and attentional problems, birth disorders).

What practical outcomes can be achieved?

A neuropsychology assessment will also communicate therapeutic advice including strategies individually tailored to your child's identified strengths, and difficulties as well as the preferred goals and needs of the individual, their families, employers or teachers such as:

• Support strategies/coping skills
• Adapting and managing expectations
• Developing understanding
• Management plans
• Rehabilitation advice
• Learning techniques
• Behavioural management
• Occupation and/or education plans and supports