SERVICES

Cognitive and Educational Assessments

What is a cognitive assessment?

A cognitive assessment may be requested to determine a child’s overall intellectual functioning and to gain a better understanding of their cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The assessment tool we use for younger children is called the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV). The assessment tool we use for children and adolescents between the ages of 6-16 years is called the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V).

This assessment measures an individual’s ability across five different areas of cognitive functioning including verbal comprehension, visual spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed. This assessment can be particularly helpful in identifying if a young person is experiencing developmental delays, learning difficulties, or giftedness. This assessment is generally completed over one two-hour session. An additional feedback session with parents and a detailed comprehensive report with the assessment findings and recommendations is also provided once the assessment has been completed.

What is an educational assessment?

An educational assessment is an assessment of academic skills and achievement. This assessment is generally completed in addition to the cognitive assessment and is administered in a separate two-hour session. The assessment tool we use for children and adolescents from the ages of 4 to 19 years is called the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III).

This assessment identifies a student’s academic strengths and weaknesses across different skill areas including reading, reading comprehension, spelling and mathematics. The results, together with the cognitive assessment, help us better understand a young person’s learning need and identify specific learning difficulties. This information can then be used for school planning and to inform decisions around educational placements and/or any learning supports that may be required as well as assist with classroom behaviour.

What is the process for scheduling a cognitive and/or educational assessment?

If we are completing both the cognitive and educational assessments, we schedule two separate extended assessment sessions (100-110 minutes) with the young person. These appointments will need to occur face to face in the clinic. An additional feedback session with parents via telehealth (phone or video) and a detailed comprehensive report with the assessment findings and recommendations is provided once the assessment has been completed. This generally occurs 2-3 weeks after the assessments have taken place.

We may also ask you and/or your child’s teacher to complete questionnaires. It can also be helpful for us to speak with your child’s teacher and/or other health professionals (if you provide us with consent to do so) to collect further information about their insights and observations.

Please contact us if you would like more information about booking these assessments for your child.

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