Cognitive Assessments
PSYCHmatters practitioners are here to provide crucial help and support.
What is Cognitive Assessment?
Cognition is the process in obtaining knowledge and understanding of our environment through experiences, thoughts and our senses. Not only does cognition assist of our mental process, but also making sense of it. In order for an individual to develop and learn, identifying intellectual strengths and weaknesses relative to an individual’s learning ability may assist them in developing their cognition. The purpose of cognitive assessments is to provide an individual with information about their thinking and learning capability. At Psychmatters we use powerful clinical tools that assist with identifying intellectual strengths and weaknesses relative to the cognitive ability of the individual
A series of activities and standardised psychometric tools are administered to assess numerous areas of cognitive abilities including:
– Processing speed
– Verbal comprehension
– Working memory
– Perceptual reasoning
– Fluid reasoning
Reasons for Cognitive assessments:
A cognitive assessment will assist in identifying an individual’s intellectual giftedness. This may include the ability to access gifted or talented programs, opportunities or acceleration in advanced activities. Another important component of cognitive assessment is evaluating learning difficulties or disabilities. Identifying the presence of these difficulties can assist in making appropriate educational adjustments or minimise poor academic results, avoidance of learning or build higher self-esteem in learning ability.
If an individual has limitations in their cognition, this may have an impact towards the effectiveness in meeting the standards that are expected for that age group or by someone who shares the same background.
This assessment will benefit you in knowing how much support you need as determined by standardised scales and clinical assessment.
Psychological Testing and Treatment Designed to Help
Cognitive Assessments
A cognitive assessment will assist in identifying an individual’s intellectual giftedness. This may include the ability to access gifted or talented programs, opportunities or acceleration in advanced activities. Another important component of cognitive assessment is evaluating learning difficulties or disabilities. Identifying the presence of these difficulties can assist in making appropriate educational adjustments or minimise poor academic results, avoidance of learning or build higher self-esteem in learning ability.
Developmental Assessments
Early development provides the base of the brains organisational and functioning development throughout the life span and sets the foundation for an individual’s later learning, behaviour and health. An individual’s development can be influenced by many factors such as genetics, prenatal events, a child’s own learning capacity and environmental influences. Watching an individual grow and learn from their environment is an exciting yet overwhelming experience, particularly if a parent is experiencing worries and concerns about whether the child is developing in correspondence to children in the similar age bracket.
Behavioural Assessments
Behaviour affects is affected by the environment and those around us. The importance of understanding behaviour is vital for an individual to develop, learn, build positive relationships and exhibit intrinsic motivation. A behavioural assessment is concerned with the likely reasons of why a behaviour occurring. For instance, an individual may be questioning if a behaviour that seems rather challenging is typical or normal and whether that behaviour fits in with the standards of their environment or age bracket. This assessment will enable us to observe, predict, explain and assist with improving behaviour. With this knowledge, individuals can start to formulate plans to alter the persisting behaviour and better understand the underlying foundations of that behaviour.
Psychometric Assessment
A psychometric assessment is conducted in order to evaluate an individual’s suitability for a certain role in a workplace or to examine someone’s cognitive/educational functioning, based upon intellectual abilities and required personality characteristics. During a psychometric examination each person will receive a standardised method of assessment to ensure there’s an accurate and equal evaluation of each individual.
Adaptive functioning Assessments
Adaptive functioning is an integral component in the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions in children or adults. An adaptive functioning assessment will assist in developing the functional skills and intellectual ability necessary for an individual to navigate the demands of life that are essential for daily living.
Vocational Assessments
Vocational assessments assist in creating a formalised report corresponding to an individuals’ previous work history, transferable skills, experience and personal factors which is then translated into employment options for the adequate career path. This assessment may be based upon the desires of the individual and what they are physically and mentally capable of. For individuals contemplating a career or career change this assessment will carefully consider all the vocationally relevant information and any specific requirements for the purpose of which this assessment is being undertaken.
Diagnostic Assessments
Diagnosis is an analysis of a situation which can assist in improving the effectiveness of learning and development of an individual. A Diagnostic Assessment aims to evaluate whether an individual meets criterion or demonstrates behaviours for a formal diagnosis. This assessment identifies an individual’s knowledge and/or how much an individual understands and assists in implementing learning objectives or support services. After the initial assessment of the individual, a discussion of what may be a suitable approach in supporting this information and new skills.
Locations:
Concord
172 Majors Bay Rd,
Concord, NSW 2137
Bondi
Unit 2, 4-12 Waverly St,
Bondi Junction, NSW 2022
Cammeray
Suite 109, 506 Miller St,
Cammeray, NSW 2062
Central Coast
73 Dening St,
The Entrance, NSW 2261
NDIS Treament Plan Management
PSYCHmatters Plus team can help with you through the NDIS Process and delveop a treatment plan to benefit the individual’s quality of life and foster their psychosocial wellbeing.
Extensive Therapeutic Support
We believe that psychological treatment is critical in supporting the wellbeing of individuals living with a disability. PSYCHmatters Plus offers extensive therapeutic support.
Collaborative Approach
PSYCHmatters Plus NDIS participant treatment plan includes meetings and collaboration between stakeholders including professionals’ practitioners and community support groups.