Hargan Psychology offers a strong clinical assessment capability through access to a wide variety of clinical assessments, used in therapeutic, educational, forensic and disability settings. Our clinical assessments are delivered by experienced practitioners and result in a written report which may inform allied health professionals and other stakeholders. We take pride in our capability to select appropriate, reliable and valid assessment tools, to administer them, and to provide contextualised insights into the individual’s presenting concerns, as well tailored recommendations to support them.
Some of the more common uses of psychological assessments include:
- Diagnosis of psychopathology, including emerging psychopathology in young people.
- Assessing intelligence, learning disorders and giftedness.
- Identifying gaps in academic learning.
- Assisting therapy goals and process through personality-based assessments which provide insight into psychological syndromes, interpersonal style, relationships and self-concept.
- Assessment of risk for offending behaviours.
- Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
- Assessment of functional living skills for the purpose of identifying required supports.
Educational Assessment
Educational assessments can be required for a number of reasons, as each individual has a different set of life circumstances influencing behaviour.
As such, each child has a different set of strengths and weaknesses that can impact their academic performance and learning ability, setting them on an individual educational trajectory. At times, these trajectories may not follow the pattern expected for a child’s age or developmental stage.
An educational assessment can provide insight into a child’s cognitive functioning, academic strengths and weaknesses, and preferred learning styles. By assessing various areas of mental functioning, educational assessment help parents and educators gain insight to a child’s unique learning capacity and academic abilities, allowing them to make informed choices about a child’s ideal learning environment and their individual learning needs.
What is included in an educational assessment?
- Initial parent interview and/or questionnaire to gather information about the child’s developmental, educational, and medical history, as well as any presenting concerns.
- 1 – 1.5 hour session to adminster the standardised cognitive (intelligence) asssessment (WPPSI-IV or WISC-V). This assessment provides a measure of overall IQ as well as its component ability indices including verbal comprehension, visual spatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed.
- 1 – 1.5 hour session to adminster the standardised achievement (academic) assesment (WIAT-III). This assessment identifies level of academic achievement and any deficits in expected learning to date, including mathematical ability, problem-solving and language based skills, i.e., reading, writing, comprehension, and vocabulary.
- A detailed report of findings with behavioural and educational recommendations tailored for your child.
- Parent feedback session to discuss your child’s assessment and to answer any questions.
Depending on the purpose of an assessment, a stand-alone cognitive assessment or achievement assessment may be adminstered if a full education assessment is not required.
What are the different types of assessments?
WPPSI – The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
The WPPSI is a comprehensive measure of a young child’s intellectual ability. This cognitive assessment involves game-like activities, as well as age-specific subtests.
Assessment age range: 2.5 years – 7 years
WISC-V – The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Australian and New Zealand Standardised, Fifth Edition)
The WISC is an individually administered comprehensive clinical instrument for assessing the cognitive ability/intelligence of children.
Assessment age range: 6 years 0 months through 16 years 11 months.
WIAT-III – The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
The WIAT is a comprehensive, individually administered test for assessing the academic functioning of children, adolescents, tertiary students and adults.
Assessment age range: 4 years through 50 years, 11 months
WAIS-IV – The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
The WAIS is a comprehensive measure of teenager/adult intellectual ability which includes a full-scale IQ score in addition to index scores that measure different facets of intelligence.
Assessment age range: 16 years – 89 years
WMS – The Wechsler Memory Scale
The WMS is a comprehensive measure of a teen or adult’s memory functioning and assessesed both auditory and visual memory. The results from the test can also be used to provide further insight into an individual’s performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
Assessment age range: 16 years – 90 years
The Conners Fourth Edition
The Conners assessments measure the presence and severity of behaviours associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its most common comorbid problems and disorders, including learning problems, executive functioning problems, defiance/aggression, and peer/family relations. The Conners typically takes 20 minutes and is completed by parents, caregivers, teachers and children to provide information across home, social and school settings. Hargan Psychology also offers the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale, which assesses the above in adults aged +18.
Assessment age range: 6 years – 18 years
What are some other assessments available at Hargan Psychology?
The Personality Assessment Inventory – (PAI)
The PAI is an objective inventory of personality which measures psychopathological syndromes associated with a wide range of mental health conditions. It is assists in diagnosis of mental health conditions and treatment considerations. It can be a very helpful starting point for clients with more serious concerns about their mental health and provide valuable information to the treating psychologist on the client’s internal experience and suitability for psychological therapy.
Assessment age range: 18 years to 89 years
A PAI typically includes:
- The assessment process:
- A questionnare filled out at our practice.
- The psychologist writes up a report based on your assessment.
- 1 x 30 minute feedback session where your report is presented (and you can take it home).
The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales – Third Edition
The Vineland is used to assess individuals aged up to 90 years to measure how adequately they can live independently. It assesses the individual’s skills in specific areas and can help with treatment planning as well as helping to identify developmental delays, cognitive disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and other impairments.
Assessment age range: Birth – 90 years
A Vineland Assessment typically includes:
- The assessment process:
- An email with a questionnaire to fill out.
- The psychologist writes up a report based on your assessment.
- 1 x 30 minute feedback session where your report is presented (and you can take it home).
Assessment Pricing
Cognitive Assessment (WISC-V or WAIS-IV) |
|
Achievement Assessment (WIAT) |
|
Full Education Assessment (incl. cognitive and achievement assessments) |
|
Vineland Assessment (ABAS) |
|
ADHD Assessment (Conners) |
|
Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) |
|
- All other assessments $200-$220 per hour or part thereof (charged in 15 minute increments).
- *PLEASE NOTE: assessment cost is dependent on provisional and registered psychologist availability