Cognitive Assessment
A cognitive and educational assessment is a comprehensive individual assessment that involves gathering information from parents/ caregivers, and teachers on academic performance and collaborating this information with an individual’s performance on a standardised I.Q. assessment and an assessment of academic achievement. The goal of a cognitive and educational assessment is to obtain an accurate profile of the individual’s intellectual functioning, thinking and reasoning skills, and academic strengths and weaknesses to assist in developing learning strategies and recommendations.
Cognitive Testing
Verbal Comprehension
verbal reasoning and conceptualisation, thinking with words and expressing thoughts in words
Perceptual Reasoning
Visual perceptual reasoning and skills in solving nonverbal problems
Social readiness
Children need to be able to socialise and play with their classmates. Consider whether your child can take turns, share, compromise and work with others as part of a group.
Academic readiness
Although children do not need to be able to read and write in order to start school, consider whether your child can do things like hold a pencil and use scissors.
A cognitive assessment can be undertaken from 3 years of age provided the child has the capability to communicate with the assessor
Educational Testing
Reading – comprehension and decoding
Written expression
Spelling
Mathematics – operations and reasoning
Listening comprehension
Oral expressive skills
Academic fluency – speed of reading, writing and calculating
Educational Screening assessments can be undertaken from Prep (VIC) or Kindy (NSW) but this is not considered a diagnostic tool. To make a diagnostic Educational Screening Assessment, the child must have completed Year/Grade 2 and include other special preconditions.
What is a Cognitive and Educational Assessment?
A school readiness assessment may include testing and assessment in the following areas:
- Concept knowledge
- Attention
- Memory
- Speech and language
- Auditory processing
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Social skills
- Behaviour and functioning
- Psychological and emotional functioning
A number of standardised tests are used, including those appropriate for funding applications such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WPPSI and WISC-IV) and and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). Further assessments are also conducted as required, such as the Dyslexia Screener, Giftedness Rating Scale, and the Test of Non-Verbal Intelligence- Fourth Edition (TONI-4).
At the conclusion of the cognitive and educational assessment, a written report detailing the results and recommendations is provided during a feedback session with a qualified psychologist.
Get in touch with our friendly staff to arrange a consultation and assessment
Level 1, 66 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn VIC
Level 19, 56 Pitt St, Sydney NSW
