Child Psychological Assessments

Hunter Children’s Psychology Newcastle provides diagnostic assessment of a comprehensive range of psychological difficulties in children up to 16 years.  This includes testing for autism, testing for ADHD, assessment of learning difficulties, cognitive assessments (IQ tests), behavioural assessments & assessment of intellectual disability or delay.

Educational Assessment | Learning Difficulties Psychological Assessment

A learning/educational assessment is an individually administered test designed to measure your child’s academic skills and problem-solving abilities. An assessment of learning disorders may be beneficial to your child if:

• Your child is suspected of having learning difficulties
• Your child performs inconsistently across a range of school subject areas
• Your child performs inconsistently across the one subject
• There are concerns about your child’s emotional and behavioural functioning
• Your child has poor hand-writing, motor skill difficulties
• Your child’s teacher has raised educational or learning concerns within the classroom

This assessment provides a genuine understanding of your child’s learning strengths and needs, identifies any underlying problems that may be influencing learning and assesses your child’s ability to achieve at school.

The comprehensive report will provide guidance, practical strategies and recommendations for parents and schools to assist the child to reach their full potential.

Cognitive (IQ) assessment

A cognitive assessment is an IQ assessment to assess your child’s overall cognitive ability. It provides an overall summary of your child’s intellectual ability when compared to age-matched peers. A cognitive assessment may be beneficial to your child if:

• Your child is being considered for early entry into school
• Your child is being considered for repeating a grade
• Your child is suspected of being Gifted & Talented
• Your child is suspected of having an intellectual impairment

When interpreted along with comprehensive background information, the results of a cognitive assessment can provide information about your child, which can assist to develop an individualised learning plan for him or her.

Behavioural Assessment

A behavioural assessment is an assessment designed to examine whether your child exhibits challenging behaviour that falls outside of the range of age-appropriate behaviour.

Such behaviours include hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression, difficulties sustaining attention and disruptions in relationships with family and peers.

A behavioural assessment may be beneficial to your child if there are concerns about Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or Conduct Disorder (CD).

A behavioural assessment can provide you and your child with a better understanding of what is causing their behaviour. The comprehensive report will provide individualised recommendations to assist parents and teachers to manage the child’s challenging behaviour at home and at school.

Developmental Assessment

A developmental assessment may be recommended if there are concerns about a child’s ability to meet expected developmental milestones and perform everyday tasks. Developmental assessment may help to identify your child’s strengths and challenges in a range of developmental domains.

A developmental assessment may be beneficial to your child if there are concerns about intellectual disability or global intellectual delay.

The results of a developmental assessment can help to establish an individualised management plan or life skills program to maximise your child’s developmental potential.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental condition characterised by impairment in communication and social functioning.

Other common areas of difficulty are restricted or repetitive behaviours, interests or activities, and sensory sensitivities. An assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder may help to improve your understanding of your child’s behaviour and needs, as well as help in the development of a tailored treatment plan.

Once a child is diagnosed with ASD, they may access funding and support, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Centrelink payments or school-based funding for classroom-based teaching aids.

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