What is a cognitive assessment and why might my child need one?

At the Walky Talky hub, our clinical psychologist completes cognitive assessments for children.
Cognitive assessments can help provide a better understanding of your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The assessment assesses specific areas of cognition (verbal comprehension, visual spatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed) and provides an overall measure of intellectual functioning. This can assist in developing strategies to improve your child’s learning.

What is involved when my child has a cognitive assessment at the Walky Talky Hub?

A cognitive assessment involves at least 3 different appointments, both with and without your child.

Appointment 1: Developmental Interview:
Parents are asked to come in for a developmental interview. The clinical psychologist will ask questions about your child’s developmental years - including the pregnancy, birth and important milestones such as walking, talking and toileting. The clinical psychologist will also ask about your child’s family background, medical history, psycho-social functioning and learning and behaviour at school.
We ask that you bring any school reports, allied health reports or medical documents that may be relevant to the assessment for the clinical psychologist to review.

Appointment 2: Cognitive Assessment
The clinical psychologist completes the cognitive assessment with your child. Your child will be asked to complete a number of tasks looking at pictures, answering questions and working with blocks.
This is a 2hr appointment so please make sure your child has had some food and brings a drink bottle.
We ask parents are not in the room during the assessment as this can be distracting and impact on the results of the assessment.

Appointment 3: Feedback Session

Parents are asked to come in for a session with the Clinical Psychologist to go through the results of the assessment and provide recommendations.

Our Clinical Pyschologist, Lydia Cargeeg, offers cognitive assessments for children aged 6-16 years. 

Contact [email protected] if you would like to book in to see her for an assessment at the Walky Talky Hub in Myaree, Perth.