Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluations

The Behavioural Health team operates a specialised division that collaborates closely with Kōkako Speech Therapy. Together, we offer high-quality, comprehensive psychoeducational assessments. This partnership ensures thorough evaluations that cater to the specific educational and developmental needs of individuals, promoting holistic support and effective intervention strategies.

Understanding Psycho-Educational Evaluations

A psycho-educational evaluation is a detailed assessment of a student’s cognitive abilities, academic skills, and emotional well-being. These evaluations help identify learning patterns to address weaknesses and build on strengths. Through this process, it is also possible to identify specific learning difficulties and complement a neurodevelopmental diagnosis such as ASD or ADHD. These evaluations are crucial because they guide us on the best support and services the student may need. Psycho-educational evaluations are standardised, which means your student's scores are compared to those of their peers of the same age and gender, providing a clear picture of their unique needs.

Who can Benefit?

Children and adolescents who are undergoing or have been diagnosed with ASD/ADHD.
Children who are suspected of having a learning difficulty.
Children and adolescents with memory concerns.
Young person’s pursuing a university degree or career.

Assessment Procedure

While individual evaluations may be different, most psycho-educational evaluations will have.

Background information and developmental history.

This includes information on their birth history, developmental history, medical history, academic history, social/emotional history, family history, and areas of concern. This helps in developing a diagnostic strategy and planning appropriate interventions.

Assessment of cognitive functioning.

Variety of tests are administered to understand how the student learns. These tests often include verbal and visual tasks to examine reasoning, memory, and the speed at which your student processes and responds to information.

Assessment of processing, memory and problem solving

Examiners will also look at other processing areas to determine your student’s strengths and weaknesses. This might include:

1. Speech and language processing

2. Auditory processing

3. Different types of memory

4. Attention

5. Organisation

6. Visual-motor processing

Assessment of academic functioning.

Assessments are related exclusively to reading, writing, spelling and mathematics to evaluate general academic skill. We might also add other academic assessments if we notice the student is struggling in a specific area. For example, if your student has trouble reading single words, the examiner may test phonological processing and reading efficiency to understand the cause.

Social/emotional functioning.

In cases where neurodevelopmental conditions are suspected or identified through other psychoeducational assessments, it becomes even more vital to consider how these conditions impact social and emotional functioning. Symptoms such as difficulty with social cues, emotional sensitivity, or challenges in forming relationships can significantly affect a student's academic and personal development. By comprehensively evaluating both cognitive abilities and social-emotional skills, we can create targeted interventions that support the student's holistic growth and success in school and beyond.

Benefits

A psychoeducational assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of a student's learning profile and needs, fostering a supportive environment for their academic and personal development while also playing a crucial role in diagnosing and addressing neurodevelopmental conditions, ensuring comprehensive support in educational settings.

For a university student, a psychoeducational assessment equips the students and career seekers with valuable insights and support, enabling them to succeed academically, develop professionally, and achieve their career aspirations.

A psychoeducational assessment offers several benefits:

Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

It helps pinpoint a student's academic strengths and areas needing improvement, which informs personalised learning strategies.

Detecting Learning Disabilities or Challenges

It can uncover specific learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia). Also, as these may affect university performance or career training, understanding these challenges enables students to access accommodations and support services, ensuring they can perform to their full potential.

Facilitating Access to Support Services while at University

For university students, a psychoeducational assessment can facilitate access to academic accommodations (e.g., extra time on exams, note-taking assistance) and support services (e.g., tutoring, counselling). This ensures they receive the necessary assistance to thrive academically.

Guiding Educational and Career Planning

It assists in educational and career counselling, ensuring students are guided towards paths that align with their abilities and aspirations. It also assists university students in making informed decisions about their academic paths and career choices.

Understanding Learning Styles and Strategies

It identifies how a student learns best (e.g., visual), aiding educators in adapting teaching methods and allowing them to tailor study approaches for academic success. For career seekers, knowing their learning style can enhance training and skill development in their chosen field.

Diagnosing Neurodevelopmental Conditions

It aids in diagnosing neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or specific learning disorders (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia). This diagnosis is crucial for accessing appropriate interventions, therapies, and support services tailored to the student's specific needs.

Facilitating Early Intervention

Early identification allows for timely interventions and support, potentially preventing academic setbacks and promoting overall well-being.

Enhancing Self-Awareness and Confidence

Understanding one's learning profile and potential challenges can boost confidence and self-esteem, empowering students and career seekers to navigate challenges effectively and pursue their goals with determination.

We offer complimentary screening of learning difficulties to tailor a personalised psychoeducational evaluation just for you

What is the Free Screening of Learning Difficulties?

A Free Screening of Learning Difficulties is an initial evaluation conducted before a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment. Its purpose is to gather preliminary information about an individual's learning and cognitive abilities, as well as any potential challenges they may be facing. This pre-assessment helps in determining whether a full psychoeducational assessment is necessary and what specific areas should be focused on during the comprehensive evaluation.

Learning Difficulties Screening