Intelligence & Educational Assessments in Perth
At Headway Psychology, we offer educational and cognitive assessments for children in Perth called a specific learning disorder assessment.
These assessments provide insights into cognitive strengths, learning difficulties, academic abilities and helping individuals access the right support and resources.
What is a specific learning disorder assessment?
An specific learning disorder assessment evaluates various aspects of cognitive functioning, academic performance, and learning abilities.
Depending on the reason for the assessment, these tests can help to diagnose specific learning disorders, intellectual disability, intellectual giftedness, or cognitive difficulties that impact school, work, and daily life.
These types of assessments are beneficial for:
- Identifying learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning disorders.
- Identifying intellectual disability.
- Measuring IQ levels for educational placement or gifted programs.
- Understanding strengths and weaknesses in problem-solving, memory, and reasoning.
- Providing recommendations for academic accommodations.
Who should get a specific learning disorder assessment?
An specific learning disorder assessment can be beneficial for individuals experiencing:
- Academic struggles – Difficulty keeping up with school or university coursework.
- Suspected learning disorders – Signs of dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or other learning disorders.
- Suspected intellectual disability – Challenges with thinking, learning, and everyday problem-solving.
- Attention or concentration issues – Challenges in focusing, planning, and following instructions.
- Giftedness identification – Exceptional intellectual ability requiring advanced learning support.
If your child experiences any of these difficulties, a professional assessment can provide clarity and appropriate recommendations.
Book an appointment for an assessment.
What does a specific learning disorder assessment involve?
Our assessments are tailored to each individual child and their unique needs. Parents are invited to attend a parent-only initial appointment where you will meet the clinician for the first time and share your current concerns.
During this appointment, an assessment plan will be created to ensure your child is receiving the most suitable assessment for them. You can expect to learn about what type of assessment is recommended and what to expect.
Generally, the next step is completing the formal assessment sessions with the child using one or more of the below assessments.
This information is then collated and interpreted to provide a report to the family. This report is shared with parents who are welcomed to schedule a follow-up appointment to clarify any questions and discuss the results in more detail.
Types of child assessments we offer:
- Cognitive Assessments – A child intelligence test measures cognitive abilities and intellectual potential.
- Educational Assessment – Assesses areas including reading, mathematics, writing, and oral language.
- Specific Learning Disorder / Comprehensive Educational Assessment – Combines cognitive / intelligence testing and educational / academic testing to help diagnose conditions such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
- ADHD Assessments – Assesses the presence of this condition which affects a child’s ability to regulate their thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.
Types of learning difficulties
Learning difficulties can manifest in various forms, each affecting different aspects of academic skills. Here are some common types of specific learning disorders:
- Dyslexia: This learning disorder affects an individual’s ability to read. People with dyslexia may have trouble with word recognition and decoding, which can impact their reading fluency and comprehension.
- Dysgraphia: Dysgraphia impacts writing abilities, making it difficult for individuals to spell correctly. This can affect their ability to express thoughts in writing and complete written assignments.
- Dyscalculia: This disorder affects mathematical reasoning and the ability to understand and work with numbers. Individuals with dyscalculia may struggle with accurate or fluent calculation and understanding mathematical concepts.
Identifying a specific learning disorder can help individuals better understand the challenges they face and develop strategies to overcome them, enabling better success in their academics or the workplace.
FAQs about Intelligence & Educational Assessments
What is an IQ test?
What does an IQ test measure?
An IQ assessment measures various cognitive skills, including:
- Verbal comprehension
- Visual Spatial
- Working memory
- Processing speed
- Fluid Reasoning
How does an IQ test measure intelligence?
An IQ test measures intelligence by assessing a range of cognitive abilities, including verbal comprehension, logical reasoning, working memory, and problem-solving skills.
These tests compare an individual’s performance to a standardised population, providing an IQ score that reflects cognitive strengths and potential challenges.
At Headway Psychology, our assessments offer a detailed understanding of intellectual abilities with thorough interpretation and personalised recommendations. Book an assessment today.
How do you take an IQ test?
At Headway Psychology, we offer IQ testing for children and adults in Perth. Our psychologists use standardised assessments tailored to each age group (6 years and older) to measure cognitive abilities such as reasoning, memory, and problem-solving.
The process includes a structured testing session, data analysis, and a thorough report with personalised recommendations. Contact us today to book an assessment.
How are IQ tests scored?
An IQ test measures intelligence by assessing a range of cognitive abilities, including verbal comprehension, logical reasoning, working memory, and problem-solving skills.
These tests compare an individual’s performance to a standardised population, providing an IQ score that reflects cognitive strengths and potential challenges.
At Headway Psychology, our assessments offer a detailed understanding of intellectual abilities with thorough interpretation and personalised recommendations. Book an assessment today.
What is a diagnostic assessment in education?
Can IQ tests diagnose learning disorders?
While an intelligence test alone cannot diagnose a specific learning disorder, they can be used alongside academic achievement tests (such as WIAT-III) and other learning disorder tests to determine learning difficulties. This is called a Comprehensive Educational Assessment.
How do you diagnose a specific learning disorder?
A specific learning disorder diagnosis requires:
- A comprehensive educational assessment (IQ & academic testing) to identify the presence of a learning disability.
- An analysis of cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
- A review of learning history and academic struggles.
Additionally, in order to receive a learning disorder diagnosis, at least six months of targeted intervention (e.g., individual or small group target learning support) will need to be provided to the child or adolescent, and there needs to be evidence that learning difficulties have persisted following this intervention.
Are IQ tests accurate?
Can IQ tests be wrong?
Can you prepare for an IQ test?
You cannot “study” for an IQ test in the traditional sense, as it measures inherent cognitive abilities like problem-solving, memory, and reasoning. However, being well-rested and focused can help you perform at your best.
At Headway Psychology, our assessments are designed to provide an accurate reflection of your cognitive strengths. Book an assessment today to learn more.
Why choose Headway Psychology for educational testing?
At Headway Psychology, we have a team of qualified psychologists specialising in IQ testing, learning disorder diagnosis, and a range of other assessments and treatments.
Our assessments are comprehensive and evidence-based, using standardised tools such as WISC and WIAT-III to ensure accurate and reliable results. We provide personalised reports and recommendations tailored to each individual’s unique needs, offering recommendations relating to academic success and/or personal development.
Book your intelligence and/or educational assessment in Perth
Call us on (08) 9226 4489, or email our team at referrals@headwaypsych.com.au to discuss your needs and book an intelligence and/or educative assessment.