Spark for Life psychology provides psycho-educational assessment for children, adolescents, and young adults.

​​

Assessments can be conducted for a range of difficulties including for the purposes of diagnosing:

• Specific Learning Difficulties, more commonly known as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia

• Cognitive Ability

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD and ADD)

• Autism 

​​

What assessment involves and how it can help

An assessment is generally requested due to current concerns from parents, teachers, and medical professionals regarding an individual's progress academically, socially, behaviourally. and/or emotionally. 

​

For concerns around academic difficulties, assessment usually focuses on identifying a person’s learning strengths and weaknesses, and to determine whether an identifiable learning disorder, such as dyslexia, exists. Individuals attending for a psycho-educational assessment have usually struggled with one or more core academic skills (reading, writing, spelling, mathematics) for an extended period of time. The difficulties they experience are generally unexpected compared to their abilities in other areas and the education they have received.  It is also generally the case that attempts to help them with their difficulties have not been successful (or at least have been less successful than would have been expected). 

​​

Most young people find the various assessments tasks interesting and generally quite enjoyable. The questions asked change according to age so that people will not be asked many questions that are too challenging. There is always time, both before and after the assessment, to ask questions.

​​

A detailed report is provided approximately three weeks after the assessment with details of the individual’s strengths and weaknesses, with evidence-based strategies and recommendations included.

​​

​​

Assessment Structure

Full psycho-educational assessments at Spark for Life involve (for Specific Learning Difficulties and ADHD):

1. Parent Initial Consultation – 1 hour

2. Cognitive (IQ) Assessment – 2 hours

3. Functional Assessment – 2 hours

4. Report Preparation – 3-5 hours

5. Parent and or young person Feedback Consultation – 1 hour

​

Autism assessments at Spark for Life involve:

1.   Parent Comprehensive Interview – 2 hours

2.   Clinical Observation and Assessment – 2 hours

3.   Observation at school - 1 hour plus travel

4.   Report Preparation – 3-5 hours

5.   Parent and or young person Feedback Consultation - 1 hour

​

In situations where previous psychometric testing has been completed, it may not be appropriate to undertake all of the above steps. For more information about our fee structure, please review our FAQs.

​

Assessments may be conducted in the clinic, your home, your child’s school, or other suitable location. Assessments require a table and two chairs in a space that is free from interruptions and distractions.

​​

​​

Click here​ to book now, or contact us to discuss the benefits of counselling for your situation