Cognitive Assessments

Crystal offers Cognitive Assessments to address a variety of questions commonly asked by parents such as:

• Is my child exhibiting any particular cognitive difficulties or impairments?

• Is my child gifted?

• Does my child have problems with memory?

• Does my child have processing difficulties?

Cognitive Assessments are able to give us information about a child’s general intellectual ability, in addition to specific information about their areas of strength and areas of weakness.

This can be very beneficial to ensuring a child’s success, particularly at school, as it helps identify areas that require additional support and what skills a child already possesses, which can be utilized to overcome any areas of difficulty.

Crystal uses the WISC-IV (Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition), a very commonly used assessment tool, recognized as one of the best available for conducting assessments with children aged 6-18years.

Crystal is also able to conduct cognitive assessments with children under the age of 6, utilising the WPPSI-III (Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 3rd edition).

Learning Assessments

Learning Assessments involve conducting an initial Cognitive Assessment (as described above) to identify a child’s cognitive ability/potential, followed by conducting a test of achievement. A test of achievement investigates whether or not a child is able to complete tasks to the level we would expect, given their cognitive potential. Tests of Achievement assess the child in the main areas of school-based learning including Reading, Mathematics, Written and Oral Expression. If a child’s achievement score is below that predicted based on their Cognitive ability score – this is indicative of a potential learning disorder in that area.

Reports and Feedback

When conducting either a Cognitive or a Learning assessment, Crystal provides a comprehensive report explaining, in detail, all tests used and all results. The report also includes a comprehensive summary and list of recommendations for home and school, as appropriate.

A 1-hour feedback session is then held with parents to explain the results, go through the report and answer any additional questions that either parent may have. This session can also be used for planning of any further assessment or intervention that a parent may which to engage their child in.