Psychometric Assessments
Why seek an assessment?
Psychometric assessments can provide important information about a child or young person's strengths and weaknesses. They may provide identification through a diagnosis if one applies. Assessments can also inform appropriate strategies to support the child and facilitate appropriate educational or additional supports (such as NDIS). Some reasons people may seek assessment include:
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Learning differences or delays
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Underachievement in particular areas
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Giftedness
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Emotional or behavioural difficulties in the classroom or at home
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Difficulties making or maintaining friendships
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Difficulties adapting to changes in routine
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Trouble concentrating or easily distracted
What's involved?
At Building Blocks Psychology, we provide comprehensive assessments depending on the needs of the individual. Common parts of an assessment include:
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A comprehensive interview with parents/caregivers
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An individual assessment with the young person
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Questionnaires completed by parents and teachers
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Additional feedback from teachers
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Review of relevant reports (such as paediatrician, therapist, school reports)
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Feedback on the results on the assessment
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Comprehensive report with practical and strengths focussed recommendations
Autism Assessments
An autism assessment can help identify differences in the social communication styles, interests, sensory needs and other patterns of behaviours of the individual. It explores whether these differences might be explained by an autistic neurotype. Identification can help deepen both self-understanding and other's understanding the individual.
Our assessments are comprehensive and use evidence-based assessment tools. We
are mindful of masked and internalised presentations, particularly in girls/women, trans and non-binary folk.
These assessments can be used for NDIS applications if a diagnosis is applicable.
ADHD Assessments
An ADHD assessment can help understand more about why an individual may have more difficulties than others with areas such as concentrating, following instructions, acting without thinking or constantly fidgeting and feeling restless.
As young people who are seeking this kind of assessment often have difficulties at school, a comprehensive learning assessment is included in our ADHD assessments.
Psychologist can provide a diagnosis of ADHD, but cannot provide medications. If you are considering medication, it may be best to see a paediatrician or psychiatrist for assessment.
Learning Assessments
A learning assessment includes a cognitive assessment and may include an academic assessment depending on the areas of concern. Learning assessments can help understand cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and may provide diagnoses or identification of:
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Intellectual Disability
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Specific learning differences (such as dyslexia)
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Giftedness
To make a diagnosis of a specific learning disorder, there needs to be a period of at least 6 months of intervention. If this is something you are exploring, its best to check with your child's teacher about the learning interventions they have received before enquiring.
Prior to School Cognitive Assessments
A child's paediatrician or their prospective school may request a cognitive (or IQ) assessment prior to them starting school. This can help understand more about the child's strengths and weaknesses, and their learning potential. For children with neurodevelopmental differences (such as autism or Global Developmental Delay) who may need additional supports in their transition to school, this assessment can help to determine the best supports for them. We use the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) for prior to school cognitive assessments.