Adult Cognitive Academic Combined Assessment

If you have been given a referral for a Cognitive or Academic Assessment, this might be the appropriate assessment for you. Alternatively, this is the assessment to choose when you are concerned by any of the following behaviours:

• Memory Issues
• Slow at Activities
• Concerns with Intellectual Function
• Lack of Independence
• Difficulty Meeting Expectations at Workplace or University
• Difficulty with Comprehending Written Language
• Difficulty with Daily Mathematics Use
• Difficulty Comprehending Instructions
• Historical Difficulties with Reading, Writing and Mathematics throughout Lifespan

This assessment can also be administered for confirmation of a suspected high IQ, where you may have noticed the following behaviours:

• Advanced Language Skills
• Intense Curiosity
• Rapid Learning Ability
• Exceptional Memory
• High Attention Span
• Emotional Intelligence
• Unusual Sense of Humour
• Advanced or Early Development
• Perfectionism

Please note: These behaviours are only indicators that this assessment may be helpful. These behaviours are normal and can be observed to different extents in all individuals.

Cognitive assessments aim to provide information pertaining to your ability to learn. A cognitive assessment may be used to identify an intellectual disability, giftedness, specific learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia), obtain placement in specialised programs, aid funding or support applications and inform clinical intervention.

An Academic Assessment aims to identify your achievement across a range of subject areas and assesses academic skills. This assessment provides information about skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, comprehension, and mathematics. An Academic Assessment may help you to better understand your strengths and weaknesses for university or the workplace. 

Currently, we provide Adult Cognitive Academic Combined Assessments to individuals aged 18 and over. We are able to see NDIS and insurance clients. 

1. Assessment Agreement/Pre-Service Questionnaire

You are required to complete a pre-service questionnaire before the assessment can commence. This collects background information. 

2. Initial Consultation 

The initial consultation is a fact-finding, information gathering session where you will meet the clinician for the first time. It is to ensure you are receiving the most suitable assessment and to discuss background information and your current concerns.

3. Questionnaires

We ask you to complete a range of questionnaires prior to the testing sessions. These are completed online and take approximately 20 minutes each to complete. 

4. Psychometric Testing Sessions

Typically, an adult cognitive/academic combined assessment requires 2 testing sessions, which can be completed online through Telehealth. You may be sent physical response booklets in the mail for Telehealth sessions. 

5. Report

After the testing sessions are complete, your clinician will prepare a comprehensive assessment report. The report would include a diagnosis if diagnostic criteria are met and, a summary of the results and recommendations for next steps. 

6. Feedback Session

Your Clinician will meet with you to discuss the results and recommendations. You will be provided with an electronic copy of the full assessment report following this session. Please advise if you require a hard copy.

We use a combination of online questionnaires, clinical interviews and psychometric testing sessions in our adult cognitive/academic combined assessments. 

Julia Links, Psychologist

• Assessments across the lifespan:
• Cognitive (IQ) Assessments and Intellectual Disability
• Educational and Learning Assessments including Specific Learning Disorders (Dyslexia, Dyscaliculia & Dysgraphia)
• Attention difficulties including ADHD
• Adaptive behaviour and Functional Abilities
• Behavioural Disorders including Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder
• School Readiness
• High Potential and Giftedness

Trudy Ross, Psychologist

Assessments across the lifespan:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADHD
• Cognitive Assessments
• Educational/Achievement Assessments including Learning Difficulties
• Adaptive Behaviour
• Functional Skills
• School Readiness
• Giftedness and Early Entry Programs
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Behavioural Assessment including Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Our adult cognitive/academic combined assessments can be completed online via Telehealth. 

We do not process private health funds claims here at Northside Psychology. However, if you have private health, you can check with your fund if they cover psychological assessments.