Comprehensive Educational Assessments comprise of both a Cognitive (IQ) and an Academic Assessment. To answer most referral questions, we will need to include both assessments.

What is a cognitive (IQ) assessment?

Cognitive assessments identify your child's cognitive (intellectual) profile. It will provide you with an IQ score and scores in three to five domains. A cognitive assessment identifies areas of strength and of support needs and is extremely valuable when trying to understand how to create a world (home and school) which fits your child well.

At Rosie Psychology, we use the WPPSI-IV to assess children between the ages of 2 years, 6 months through 7 years, 7 months; the WISC-V to assess children and adolescents between the ages of 6 years 0 months through 16 years 11 months; and the WAIS-IV to assess adolescents and adults between the ages of 16 years to 90 years, 11 months.

What is an academic assessment?

Academic assessments identify the level of academic skills compared to peers of the same age. We will typically explore oral language, reading, written expression and mathematics skills, but this may be adjusted depending on your referral question.

We may use a range of assessment tools to assess academic skills, but often use the WIAT-III.

When to seek an educational assessment?

If your child's academic performance is noticeably lower or higher than their peers, then it is worthwhile exploring an educational assessment.

If you are completing an assessment for ADHD and/or autism, there are often cognitive factors which can look similar to, or mask other neurodevelopmental disorders and it can often be useful to include a cognitive assessment into your assessment package. This can be discussed in your intake appointment.

Why choose Rosie Psychology for an educational assessment?

At Rosie Psychology, we have a team of experienced psychologists who are all passionate about assessment. We aim to make your child's assessment experience comfortable, fun, affirming, and strengths-based.

We regularly collaborate and have strong relationships with all school systems in Tasmania including government (DECYP), Catholic Education, and Independent schools, and tailor our recommendations to suit learning plans. This takes the guesswork out of interpreting and implementing our recommendations and makes it easy for your child's learning plan to be developed or updated.

Our team of psychologists at Rosie Psychology are trained in assessing a broad range of psychological and neurodevelopmental conditions which means we are well-placed to see other factors which may be present for your child, beyond the educational assessment, including suggesting other assessments which may be useful, if applicable.

What information or diagnoses are possible from an educational assessment? 

• Specific Learning Disorders (e.g., dyslexia)
  • The most common diagnosis which is explored with an educational assessment is a specific learning disorder (e.g., dyslexia). Please note that your child must have completed at least six months of targeted, evidence-based intervention in the areas of difficulty, for us to diagnose a specific learning disorder.
• Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD)
  • To diagnose an IDD we will also need to gather information about your child's adaptive skills. This involves an extra interview with you (the parent or carer) and an extra questionnaire for your child's teacher.
• Giftedness
  • If your child reaches a certain threshold of intellectual ability, they may be considered 'gifted'. While this is not a recognised diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, it can be a useful way to conceptualise clever cookies and ensure they are being adequately extended and supported at school.
• No diagnosis at all!
  • If you get no diagnosis from this assessment, you will still receive a wealth of information on your child's pattern of strengths and areas of support. We provide extensive recommendations as to how best to support your child regardless of whether or not we make a diagnosis.

What is involved in an educational assessment with Rosie Psychology? 

We offer comprehensive and affirming educational assessments at Rosie Psychology. The assessment process involves:

• A cognitive assessment: this takes up to 90 minutes and includes a range of activities such as puzzles, memory games, and questions.
• An academic assessment: this takes up to 2.5 hours to administer and includes a range of school-work-like tasks.

In most cases, these two assessments can be completed on the same day. If needed, these appointments can be separated into two assessment days.

After the diagnostic formulation, you will meet with your psychologist for a feedback appointment to discuss the outcome of the assessment and future recommendations. Regardless of the outcome of the diagnostic process, you will always be provided with a comprehensive report that includes individualised and detailed recommendations. If your young person would like to also receive feedback on the assessment, an additional feedback session can be scheduled. Please discuss this with your psychologist if you would like this to occur.

FAQ:

• Is there an ideal time to seek an educational assessment? 
  • If you are concerned about your child's academic progress, then there are a few things to consider when it comes to timing:
    • Firstly, if your child is really struggling or really excelling at school across all areas then it is worthwhile getting them assessed as early as possible to put interventions in place quickly.
    • If your child is only struggling in a specific area (e.g., literacy) then we suggest waiting until they are around Grade 2, so they have had enough time and exposure to evidence-based interventions before they are assessed.
    • If you suspect your child has a learning disorder, then they must have completed at least six months of targeted intervention before we can make a diagnosis.
  • We also recommend an assessment if your child is on the cusp of an academic milestone or change (e.g., changing schools, moving from primary to high school, etc.) as we can then tailor our recommendations to the new environment and make suggestions to help with this transition.
• My child typically takes medication. Should I medicate them on their assessment day? 
  • Absolutely, in fact this is essential! We need to see your child's 'best' ability when assessing cognitive ability and academic skills. In most cases, we cannot reassess your child within a two-year window (approximately).
• My child is sick, tired, has just been through a traumatic event - should I go ahead with the assessment? 
  • If you do not feel your child is able to provide their 'best' effort, then it is strongly recommended you reschedule your assessment.
  • You will not lose your position on the waitlist if you choose to do this.
• My child gets very anxious, can I be in the room when they are assessed? 
  • At Rosie Psychology, we are skilled at helping your child feel at ease throughout the assessment process. If your child is anxious, we will spend time with you and them, usually chatting or playing a game (e.g., Uno) before the assessment begins, until they do feel comfortable. Standard testing protocols do not allow a parent to be in the room while completing cognitive or academic testing and it is our preference that children complete the assessment without anyone else present. Under some circumstances we will proceed with the assessment with you in the room. You will be asked to sit to the side, read a book (or something similar) and are asked not to engage with your child while they are being assessed. We will need to make note of this in the report and caution that the results may not be accurate. You'll be able to discuss this in your intake session with your psychologist.
• When would I include just a cognitive assessment (i.e., no academic assessment)? 
  • The most common reasons for wanting to complete a cognitive assessment without also including an academic assessment are:
    • When you wish to add this onto an autism or ADHD assessment. There are often cognitive factors which look similar to the differences seen in these two conditions (e.g., working memory difficulties or higher/lower overall functioning). Including a cognitive assessment in your ADHD or autism assessment package can provide a wealth of useful information, particularly for school.
    • If your child is too young to participate in formal education then it would not be worthwhile adding in an academic assessment.
• When would I include just an academic assessment (i.e., no cognitive assessment) in my assessment package?
  • The most common reasons for wanting to complete an academic assessment without also including a cognitive assessment are:
    • You have previously completed a cognitive assessment and the results were deemed valid. If this is the case, your psychologist will require a copy of this assessment.
    • You are wishing to complete a re-assessment to look specifically at whether certain areas of academic skills have improved following certain recommendations made in a recent educational assessment. Again, we would require a copy of this assessment.
• Do I receive a Medicare rebate?
  • In most cases, Medicare rebates are not available for an educational assessment.
  • If your child is diagnosed with some specific disabilities then their assessment may attract a Medicare rebate, if referred by an appropriate medical practitioner. More information may be obtained from: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-items-for-complex-neurodevelopmental-disorders-and-eligible-disabilities