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cognitive assessment
A cognitive assessment is an individually administered intelligence test that is designed to measure general cognitive ability (IQ) and to provide a profile of individual strengths and weaknesses in cognitive functioning. A cognitive assessment is recommended when there is a suspected deficit in intelligence or giftedness. It can also be used to identify deficits in executive function and attention.
At Stepping Stones our Psychologists are highly trained in the standardised administration and scoring of intelligence tests and in providing comprehensive reports. We administer the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – fifth edition (WISC-V) (Australian Standard) which is used to assess the cognitive ability of children between the ages of 6 years through to 16 years 11 months.
achievement assessments
An achievement assessment is an individually administered test that is designed to measure an individual’s academic skills and problem-solving abilities. An achievement assessment is recommended when there is a suspected learning difficulty or specific learning disability.
At Stepping Stones our Psychologists are highly trained in the standardised administration and scoring of tests of achievement and in providing comprehensive reports. We administer the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – third edition (WIAT-III) (Australian Standard) which is used to measure aspects of the learning process that take place in traditional academic settings, to allow for the evaluation of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses across the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and oral language. The WIAT-III can be used for individual’s aged 4 through to adulthood.
benefits of cognitive assessment and an achievement assessment
The key benefits of undergoing a cognitive assessment and an achievement assessment may include:
- Identification of Intellectual Impairment
- Early identification of reading & learning difficulties
- Early identification of specific learning disabilities
- Understanding of an individual’s learning profile/ learning patterns
- Identification of gifted children
- Provides recommendations to schools to provide accommodations and modifications to the curriculum to develop individual learning plans and support learning and achievement
- The ability to determine learning processes, which include both strengths and weaknesses and the impact that they might have on individual academic performance.
- Combining the WISC-IV and WIAT-II helps to identify specific learning disabilities by providing predicted scores in achievement areas, based on an individual’s IQ. If the predicted score is much higher than the actual score in an achievement area, there is often a problem associated with these skills, which then can lead to the identification of specific learning disabilities or difficulties in a certain area.
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