Intellectual & Adaptive Functioning Assessment completed by a psychologist

What to expect

An Intellectual & Adaptive Functioning Assessment helpsus understand how your young person learns, thinks and manages everyday life,including both their strengths and areas where they may benefit from moresupport.

The assessment process is consistent with national bestpractice guidelines and looks at more than an IQ score. We bring togetherinformation about cognitive functioning, everyday adaptive skills,developmental history, school and family observations, and the young person’swider context. This helps us build a balanced picture of how they functionacross different settings.     

1. Before the assessment

Once the assessment is confirmed, we will send ABAS Parentand Teacher questionnaires. These ask about everyday skills such ascommunication, independence, learning, social participation and practicalfunctioning.

 We ask for information from more than one setting becauseyoung people can show different strengths and support needs at home, school andin the community.

2. Parent/caregiver interview

90–120 minutes

A clinician will meet with you to learn more about youryoung person’s development, learning, communication, everyday skills,wellbeing, previous supports and areas of strength.

The aim is to understand their story over time and whathelps them function at their best.

3. Cognitive assessment

90–120 minutes

Your young person will complete the WISC-V with apsychologist in person.

This is not a school exam and there is no pass or fail. Theactivities include puzzles, patterns, memory tasks, questions andproblem-solving activities.

 We look at the pattern of strengths and differences acrossdifferent areas of thinking, rather than focusing only on one overall score.This is particularly important for neurodivergent young people, whose profilescan be quite uneven.   

4. Putting the information together

The psychologist brings together the WISC-V results, ABASquestionnaires, developmental history and observations.

 We also consider factors such as neurodivergence, learningdifferences, communication, mental health, sensory needs, culture, language,health and life experiences, so that results are interpreted in context.

5. Feedback and report

The psychologist will meet with you to explain the findings,your young person’s strengths and support needs, whether a diagnosis issupported, and practical recommendations for home, education and otherservices.

 You will then receive a comprehensive written report whichmeets the required standards to access governmental or NGO supports.

Our aim is for the assessment to provide greaterunderstanding of your young person’s individual profile and the supports andenvironments that will help them thrive.

‍