Assessments

Psychometric/Diagnostic Assessments

Do you feel that your child is not reaching their full potential at school? Do they struggle with learning, attention or processing information in a way that you can’t quite pinpoint? If this is the case, you may want to consider a psychometric assessment for your child.

Psychometric assessments are used to identify core issues and the underlying reasons for why these issues are occurring. They also provide valuable insights into a child’s strengths and weaknesses. We use this information to help parents and teachers understand how to best support the child with their learning and development. It is important that issues are identified early so that interventions can be put in place to prevent children from falling behind in their learning.

Psychometric assessment can also be useful for adults undertaking further study, to provide information to their university or college about particular learning difficulties that may impact on their studies. This ensures they receive appropriate support and accommodations so that they can make the best of their further education.

Assessment areas that can be examined include:

  • Learning: Specific Learning Disorders (similar to Dyslexia, Dyscalculia), difficulties with reading, writing and maths, IQ, Gifted & Talented
  • Attention: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), selective and sustained attention
  • Other areas of Cognition: working memory, processing speed, visual perception and executive function
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): social communication and interaction, repetitive and restricted interests and behaviours

At SACAC Counselling all assessments are administered by highly qualified, experienced and accredited psychologists. We use a range of standardised psychometric tools including the WPPSI-IV,WISC-V,WAIS-IV,WIAT-III, Tea-Ch 2, & Conners CPT-3, ADOS-2 & ADI-R.

The Process

All assessments start with an initial parent-only interview in order to obtain a comprehensive history. Parents are generally asked to bring copies of school reports and other assessment reports. With consent, teachers are often contacted directly to obtain further information and to complete screener questionnaires. At times a school observation may be indicated. Based on this information,an individualised assessment program is formulated.

Psychometric testing with the child then takes place over 1-2 sessions depending on the area of assessment and the functioning of the child. Results are scored and interpreted in a written psychometric report, which includes recommendations for support strategies in school and home settings.

A separate feedback session is then organised to discuss the results. This session often involves parents alone, but can sometimes include older children and adolescents. If requested, a further feedback session and follow up review meetings can also be arranged with the child’s school.

Personality Tests

Personality assessment can provide insight into several aspects including the person’s self-concept, thought patterns, personal, social, and behavioural problems, strengths and challenges, coping mechanisms, interpersonal issues, severity of distress, risk, reality-contact and ego-strength. Often, the requisite awareness or understanding of the dynamics contributing to a person’s distress is inadequate or incorrect, hence assessment provides a comprehensive and objective picture of their mental and emotional health and functioning.

Assessment provides valuable data for relevant interventions and therapeutic support for children, teenagers, adults, couples and groups. Some of the common concerns for which personality assessment is often useful are: feelings of depression, anxiety, fears, conflicts, relationship and communication problems, trouble making or keeping friends and/or jobs, anger, trauma, abuse, behavioural difficulties, low impulse control, addiction, psychosis/Schizophrenia, low confidence and self-esteem, social difficulties, occupational difficulties, marital difficulties, medically unexplained or difficult to treat illness, aches or pains, personality issues and personal development.

SACAC Counselling provides Personality Assessment using empirically validated clinical tests like:

  • Rorschach Inkblot Test
  • MMPI
  • MCMI
  • Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
  • Children’s Apperception Test (CAT)
  • Myers-Briggs Type Indication (MBTI)
  • Strong Interests Inventory
  • DISC
Team for Assessments