What is the assessment process?

The team at the Literacy and Learning Centre understand that seeking an assessment for your child can be an overwhelming experience. They are here to provide their expertise and support to make sure you are confident and comfortable with every stage of the process.

Step 1: Consultation

The initial consultation is a chance for parents to meet with one of our Psychologists and share their concerns about their child’s learning, behaviour, or development.

During this session, we:

Clarify the reasons for assessment
Decide which tests are most appropriate
Consider your child’s history (e.g., previous assessments, involvement of other professionals)
Discuss any behavioural, emotional, or developmental concerns

This step ensures we gain a full picture of your child’s needs so the assessment can provide the most useful recommendations.

Step 2: Testing

Your child attends one or more sessions (usually 2–3 hours each) where standardised tests are administered. These may include:

Cognitive assessments (thinking and reasoning skills)
Academic assessments (reading, writing, spelling, mathematics)
Other assessments depending on the referral concerns

Sessions are designed to be age-appropriate and engaging, with breaks built in to help your child feel comfortable.

A range of assessments is available at the Literacy and Learning Centre to explore a variety of concerns about your child’s learning.

Academic / Educational / Learning Difficulties Testing

Standardised tests in reading, spelling, writing, and mathematics can help determine how your child is doing relative to their peers of the same age or grade. Additional testing can additionally provide more detailed information on academic skills which can be used by teachers or tutors to develop a remediation program. These tests can include the assessment of phonological awareness, letter-sound knowledge, reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension, spelling, written expression, or other various standardised and non-standardised literacy tests. The most common test of academic achievement used is called the WIAT III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests – Third Edition); however, the Centre is also able to complete alternative standardised tests of reading, spelling, writing, and Maths.

Find out more about academic / educational testing here

Cognitive / Psychometric / IQ Assessment

A cognitive assessment can provide parents and teachers with insight into a child’s overall levels of cognitive ability, verbal and non-verbal thinking capability, working memory, and processing speed. Moreover, such testing can help to determine a student’s academic potential, their unique learning style, and what special strengths and weaknesses they possess. In some cases, these tests can even be relevant in diagnosing issues like learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Find out more about cognitive assessments here

Psycho-Educational Testing

This involves administration of both cognitive testing and academic testing, and provides the most comprehensive picture of your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses.

Specific Learning Difficulties Assessment – dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia

Diagnostic assessment of a range of specific learning difficulties including dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (spelling and writing), and dyscalculia (Maths) are available at the Centre. Our Clinical Psychologist Sandra Graudins, is a professional allied member of the Australian Dyslexia Association (ADA) and her team of Psychologists are trained to identify dyslexia and other specific learning disorders. Dyslexia assessment can be completed with children, adolescents, and adults.

Find out more about dyslexia assessments in Sydney here

Find out more about academic / educational / learning difficulties assessments here

Assessment of ADHD / ADD

While there is no single test that diagnoses ADHD / ADD, a developmental history establishes whether there has been a pattern of concerns or behaviours that is consistent with an ADHD diagnosis or if other factors (eg, anxiety, learning difficulties, language delay etc) better explain these problems. Behaviour rating scales are also completed by parents and teachers as part of this assessment. An assessment of cognitive function can also be completed if necessary. Together this information provides important diagnostic information that can be useful for developing strategies to support your child.

Find out more about ADHD assessments here

Autism Assessments

Following the initial consultation, your child’s autism assessment will be individualised according to their developmental history and needs. An assessment typically includes a structured interview with parents/caregivers (ADIR), an session with your child using a structured series of activities that examine the development of sensory, social and communication skills, completing of behaviour ratings scales. An assessment of your child’s cognitive functioning may form part of the assessment if appropriate.

Find out more about autism assessments here

Gifted and Talented Assessments

A child is identified as ‘gifted’ through psychometric assessment. Such assessment includes administration of tests such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fifth Edition, which provides parents with an indication of thinking and reasoning skills.

Find out more about gifted and talented assessments here

Other assessments

Individually tailored assessments are are available depending on the concerns you have about your child. These include:

Assessment of developmental disorders such as developmental delay;
School readiness assessments;
Special provisions assessments for high school, college, and university;
Adult learning difficulties and dyslexia testing

Contact the Centre for more information about these assessments

Step 3. Report

Following testing, your Psychologist scores, analyses, and interprets the results. A detailed written report is prepared that:

Summarises your child’s strengths and needs
Explains results in plain language
Provides evidence-based recommendations for home and school

Step 4. Feedback session

Parents meet with the Psychologist to discuss the report. This session is an opportunity to:

Review your child’s learning profile
Ask questions about the results
Talk through practical recommendations and next steps

Having a detailed understanding about your child’s strengths and weaknesses can help parents and teachers to make informed decisions about what is appropriate support for their child’s learning and to better advocate for their child at school. Arrangements can also be made to consult with schools or other professionals to provide an integrated approach to support.

Click here to find out more about assessments or to book an appointment

Not sure if you child needs an assessment?

Why not fill out our Learning Assessment Checklist — Click here