ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
At Cocoon we provide neuropsychological services to assess:
When to seek an assessment?
Whether you are seeking an assessment for yourself or your child it is worthwhile investigating diagnoses if behaviour, mood and/or academic performance noticeably deviates from same age peers. Assessments investigate whether symptoms have been present lifelong, exist regardless of circumstances, and significantly impact functioning to a degree that meets DSM 5 diagnostic criteria. It is important to note that many people experiencing challenges in some areas, some of the time - and those challenges may align with some diagnostic criteria - however confirmation of diagnosis requires evidence of disabling levels of dysfunction for extended periods, often lifelong, and across multiple situations.
Why choose Cocoon Psychology for an assessment?
At Cocoon, our director, Janelle Nichols provides assessments. Janelle loves working with children and adults and understands that undertaking an assessment can provoke anxiety and feel daunting. We maintain standardised processes whilst also providing a caring approach to help you/your child feel comfortable in all aspects. Janelle uses the most advanced psychometric measures of child and adult cognitive ability, based on recent research in the area of cognitive neuroscience (Pearson et al). It is important to note that an assessment is an investigation of how the mind operates, and uncover learning style, and the profile of strengths and weaknesses unique to individuals. A formulation of results may or may not lead to diagnosis - either way, you will have a deeper understanding of why some things are easier and some things more challenging - you will also gain peace of mind knowing whether diagnosis is applicable.
- ADHD/ADD (6+ & adults) is assessed via a Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Questionnaires.
- Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia - Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) are assessed through completing a comprehensive cognitive and educational assessment using the WISC V (child) or WAIS V (adult) and WIAT IV (all ages).
- Intellectual Disability (ID) is assessed via Cognitive tests using the WISC V (child) or WAIS V (adult) and Adaptive Functioning Assessment using the ABAS III.
- Intellectual Giftedness is assessed via a Cognitive Assessment using the WISC V (child) or WAIS V (adult) and provides an IQ score.
When to seek an assessment?
Whether you are seeking an assessment for yourself or your child it is worthwhile investigating diagnoses if behaviour, mood and/or academic performance noticeably deviates from same age peers. Assessments investigate whether symptoms have been present lifelong, exist regardless of circumstances, and significantly impact functioning to a degree that meets DSM 5 diagnostic criteria. It is important to note that many people experiencing challenges in some areas, some of the time - and those challenges may align with some diagnostic criteria - however confirmation of diagnosis requires evidence of disabling levels of dysfunction for extended periods, often lifelong, and across multiple situations.
Why choose Cocoon Psychology for an assessment?
At Cocoon, our director, Janelle Nichols provides assessments. Janelle loves working with children and adults and understands that undertaking an assessment can provoke anxiety and feel daunting. We maintain standardised processes whilst also providing a caring approach to help you/your child feel comfortable in all aspects. Janelle uses the most advanced psychometric measures of child and adult cognitive ability, based on recent research in the area of cognitive neuroscience (Pearson et al). It is important to note that an assessment is an investigation of how the mind operates, and uncover learning style, and the profile of strengths and weaknesses unique to individuals. A formulation of results may or may not lead to diagnosis - either way, you will have a deeper understanding of why some things are easier and some things more challenging - you will also gain peace of mind knowing whether diagnosis is applicable.
ADHD & ADD ASSESSMENTS
ADHD & ADD assessments test attention, focus, and hyperactivity via a Continuous Performance test and a combination of evidence gathered from family, school and/or the workplace
A continuous performance test (CPT) is a computerized neuropsychological assessment that measures sustained attention, selective attention, and impulsivity. Participants observe a stream of visual and/or auditory information, and are required to respond to target stimuli and inhibit responses to non-target stimuli. Performance is measured and provides imperative objective measures of ADHD and ADD symptoms.
CPTs are commonly used as a supplementary tool to help diagnose Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder alongside questionnaires. At Cocoon we use the MOXO - CPT and Connors Questionnaires to help gather information to diagnose or rule out ADHD and ADD.
Fee starts at $1400 and range up to $1900.
INTELLIGENCE (IQ) ASSESSMENT
An IQ assessment also known as a cognitive assessment, evaluates an individual's mental abilities, including memory, attention, reasoning, language, and complex problem-solving skills.
An IQ assessment provides a score referred to as an Intelligence Quotient (IQ score) and helps to understand overall cognitive functioning, and to identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses which can be useful for diagnosing giftedness, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and areas of cognitive impairment (e.g., memory and auditory processing).
At Cocoon we use gold standard measures including; the WISC-V to assess children and adolescents between the ages of 6 years 0 months through 16 years 11 months, and we use the WAIS-V to assess adolescents and adults between the ages of 16 years to 90 years, 11 months. Most tasks are completed on ipads, and others require pen, paper and manipulatives.
The fee for assessing giftedness for the majority starts at $1400 for a WISC V (children) or WAIS V (adults) IQ test. The fee for a more comprehensive test of IQ , learning and academic achievement starts at $2100 and can range up to $3100 for NDIS participants and clients with complex or additional needs.
SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY ASSESSMENT
To investigate the presence of an SLD an IQ and academic assessment are both required.
Academic assessments identify the level of academic skills compared to peers of the same age. We will typically explore oral language, reading, written expression and mathematics skills. To investigate the presence of specific learning disabilities, both the Cognitive assessment and Academic assessment are necessary.
We may use a range of assessment tools to assess academic skills but often use the WIAT-IV.
Fee starts at $2100 and can range up to $3100 for NDIS participants with complex or additional needs.
What next?
After a review of all the evidence, a diagnostic formulation is completed and you will meet to discuss the outcome of the assessment and future recommendations. Regardless of the outcome of the diagnostic process, you will always be provided with a comprehensive report that includes individualised and detailed recommendations.
If the assessment is for a young person and you would like the child’s school involved in feedback, we are very happy to accommodate and can provide zoom and school visits. Janelle’s reports are highly regarded as she is an experienced psychologists, with a strong background in educational settings and supporting NDIS participants. Janelle regularly collaborates with all school systems in Tasmania including Catholic Education, government (DECYP), and Independent schools, and tailors recommendations to suit learning plans. This makes it easy for your child's learning plan to be developed or updated.
To receive an information pack and confirm fees please email [email protected]
ADHD & ADD assessments test attention, focus, and hyperactivity via a Continuous Performance test and a combination of evidence gathered from family, school and/or the workplace
A continuous performance test (CPT) is a computerized neuropsychological assessment that measures sustained attention, selective attention, and impulsivity. Participants observe a stream of visual and/or auditory information, and are required to respond to target stimuli and inhibit responses to non-target stimuli. Performance is measured and provides imperative objective measures of ADHD and ADD symptoms.
CPTs are commonly used as a supplementary tool to help diagnose Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder alongside questionnaires. At Cocoon we use the MOXO - CPT and Connors Questionnaires to help gather information to diagnose or rule out ADHD and ADD.
Fee starts at $1400 and range up to $1900.
INTELLIGENCE (IQ) ASSESSMENT
An IQ assessment also known as a cognitive assessment, evaluates an individual's mental abilities, including memory, attention, reasoning, language, and complex problem-solving skills.
An IQ assessment provides a score referred to as an Intelligence Quotient (IQ score) and helps to understand overall cognitive functioning, and to identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses which can be useful for diagnosing giftedness, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and areas of cognitive impairment (e.g., memory and auditory processing).
At Cocoon we use gold standard measures including; the WISC-V to assess children and adolescents between the ages of 6 years 0 months through 16 years 11 months, and we use the WAIS-V to assess adolescents and adults between the ages of 16 years to 90 years, 11 months. Most tasks are completed on ipads, and others require pen, paper and manipulatives.
The fee for assessing giftedness for the majority starts at $1400 for a WISC V (children) or WAIS V (adults) IQ test. The fee for a more comprehensive test of IQ , learning and academic achievement starts at $2100 and can range up to $3100 for NDIS participants and clients with complex or additional needs.
SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY ASSESSMENT
To investigate the presence of an SLD an IQ and academic assessment are both required.
Academic assessments identify the level of academic skills compared to peers of the same age. We will typically explore oral language, reading, written expression and mathematics skills. To investigate the presence of specific learning disabilities, both the Cognitive assessment and Academic assessment are necessary.
We may use a range of assessment tools to assess academic skills but often use the WIAT-IV.
Fee starts at $2100 and can range up to $3100 for NDIS participants with complex or additional needs.
What next?
After a review of all the evidence, a diagnostic formulation is completed and you will meet to discuss the outcome of the assessment and future recommendations. Regardless of the outcome of the diagnostic process, you will always be provided with a comprehensive report that includes individualised and detailed recommendations.
If the assessment is for a young person and you would like the child’s school involved in feedback, we are very happy to accommodate and can provide zoom and school visits. Janelle’s reports are highly regarded as she is an experienced psychologists, with a strong background in educational settings and supporting NDIS participants. Janelle regularly collaborates with all school systems in Tasmania including Catholic Education, government (DECYP), and Independent schools, and tailors recommendations to suit learning plans. This makes it easy for your child's learning plan to be developed or updated.
To receive an information pack and confirm fees please email [email protected]
