Assessment

An ADHD assessment aims to understand patterns of attention, concentration, organisation and impulse control. The process typically involves gathering background information, completing structured questionnaires, and discussing current and past experiences in detail.

A psychologist can conduct a comprehensive assessment of attention and executive functioning and provide a detailed report outlining findings and recommendations. In Australia, however, a formal medical diagnosis and decisions about medication are typically made by a psychiatrist or paediatrician, who may use the psychologist’s assessment as part of the diagnostic process.

The goal of psychologist assessment for ADHD is therefore to build a clear understanding of strengths and challenges related to attention and executive functioning, and to provide recommendations that may assist with support, treatment planning, or referral for further medical evaluation where appropriate.

For further information about how psychological assessment for ADHD may be appropriate for you, please see the contact page.

A cognitive assessment looks at different areas of thinking and information processing, such as memory, attention, problem solving, reasoning and learning. These assessments use standardised tasks to better understand how a person processes information and approaches different types of problems.

Cognitive assessments can help identify patterns of cognitive strengths and difficulties that may be contributing to challenges in learning, work, or everyday functioning. In some cases, they may also contribute to the assessment of developmental concerns, including intellectual or learning difficulties.

The results can assist with diagnostic clarification where appropriate and may provide useful information for planning supports in educational, workplace, or clinical settings. In certain circumstances, cognitive assessment findings may also form part of the documentation used in funding or support applications, such as those related to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

For more information about whether a cognitive assessment may be relevant and appropriate for you, please see the contact page.

A Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) assessment examines patterns of learning that may affect reading, writing, or mathematics. Assessments for dyslexia and dyscalculia typically involve a combination of cognitive testing and academic achievement measures to better understand how a person processes and applies information in learning tasks.

The assessment looks at areas such as reading accuracy and fluency, spelling, written expression, numerical understanding and mathematical reasoning. By comparing cognitive abilities with academic performance, the assessment can help identify whether learning difficulties are consistent with a Specific Learning Disorder.

The aim of the assessment is to clarify learning strengths and challenges and to provide practical recommendations for support in educational or workplace settings. In some cases, the results may also contribute to formal diagnosis and help guide access to appropriate accommodations or supports.

To find out more information about SLDs and whether an assessment may be appropriate for you, please see the contact page.

An autism assessment aims to better understand patterns of social communication, interaction and behaviour that may be associated with autism. The process typically involves gathering developmental history, discussing current experiences, and using structured questionnaires or assessment tools where appropriate.

The assessment considers areas such as communication style, social understanding, sensory experiences, routines, and patterns of interests. Information may also be gathered from multiple sources, such as self-report, parent or partner input, and developmental history, in order to build a comprehensive picture.

The goal of the assessment is to clarify whether an individual’s experiences are consistent with autism and to provide recommendations for support where relevant. In some cases, the assessment findings may also contribute to diagnostic clarification and may form part of documentation used for accessing supports, services, or funding programs such as the NDIS.

For more information about whether an assessment for autism is appropriate for you, please see the contact page.