A Comprehensive Assessment is…well…the works. Sometimes casting a broad net is a good idea because childhood difficulties rarely appear in isolation. The full assessment can provide a detailed picture of your child’s strengths and difficulties. Knowing this, you can put support exactly where it is needed.

If you are looking to assess ASD, cognitive ability and academic achievement in your child then this will be the package you need. Through this assessment you will confirm or rule out a diagnosis of ASD, and gain understanding of a child’s difficulties in the classroom. When we compare a person’s academic skills with their cognitive ability we can home in on the source of a wide range of difficulties such as specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, giftedness) or behavioural difficulties which may be getting in the way of learning.

The Comprehensive Assessment is comprised of four assessment stages. First we administer the cognitive assessment, sometimes called an IQ test or WISC. This is the gold standard method of assessing a child's (age between 6 and 16) intellectual ability in five broad areas; Verbal Comprehension, Visuospatial ability, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory and Processing Speed. There is much more to it, but we’re trying to keep it interesting here.

Second, we administer the Academic Achievement Test or WIAT, which examines a child academic ability and how a child is putting these skills to work in the classroom.

Third, we interview the primary care givers to understand the history of the difficulties.

Fourth, we do an observational assessment with the young person to gain insight into the severity of the difficulties.

Here’s what is included:

1. An initial consultation with the parents to gather historical information about your child, their difficulties, their environment and their development.

2. The assessment process (package):

• 2 x 50 minute sessions (or 1 x 100 minute session) to administer the standardised cognitive (intelligence) test (WISC-V)

• 2 x 60 minute sessions (or 1 x 120 minute session) to administer the standardised Academic Achievement test (WIAT)

• 2 x 60 minute sessions (or 1 x 120 minute session) to administer the standardised Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI)

• 2 x 60 minute sessions (or 1 x 120 minute session) to administer the standardised Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

• A comprehensive assessment report which details the findings.

• Customised set of recommendations to support your child in the home and school contexts.

• A feedback session to discuss the assessment findings, answer questions, and provide psychoeducation.