ADHD
The ADHD assessment process involves an initial consultation with parents to discuss traits of ADHD using a psychometric assessment as well as discussing any current concerns to help inform the assessment process and recommendations. The assessment process will include questionnaires with parents and teachers, and will include cognitive, academic and attentional testing. Interviews with teachers may also be included if appropriate. The completed report contains recommendations containing neuro-affirming skillbuilding and support for the child, parents and teachers to be implemented at home, in the community and at school.
Academic Assessment
An academic assessment measures a child’s performance across key academic areas and compares their progress to age expectations and peers, identifying strengths and skill levels in reading, writing, mathematics, and written expression while providing valuable insight into their academic abilities. These assessments help pinpoint specific skill needs, support the diagnosis of learning disorders such as Dyslexia or Dyscalculia, and inform strategies for effective classroom support. The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III) is commonly used to guide the development of individualised learning plans tailored to a child’s unique strengths and differences.
Cognitive Assessment
A cognitive assessment, often referred to as an IQ test or psychometric evaluation, helps identify a child’s learning potential and preferred ways of processing information by examining skills such as verbal comprehension, visuospatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed, offering valuable insight into their cognitive strengths and differences. These assessments also support the diagnosis of learning difficulties, intellectual disabilities, and intellectual giftedness, enabling the development of personalised learning plans and appropriate classroom accommodations. A widely used tool for this purpose is the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), which measures key areas of cognition to better understand how a child learns.
Autism
An autism assessment at Balanced Kids Psychology is a thorough, two-part process designed to give you and your child's support team a complete and accurate picture. It draws on two gold-standard tools: the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) — a structured, play-based session where your child completes activities and conversations with the psychologist, allowing for direct observation of social communication and behaviour — and the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised), an in-depth interview conducted with parents or carers that explores your child's developmental history, early milestones, and current day-to-day experiences. Together, these two assessments are considered the most reliable combination available for diagnosing autism in children. The process is unhurried and child-led, with your child's comfort always the priority. At the end, you'll receive a comprehensive written report with a clear explanation of the findings and practical recommendations for school, home, and any further support.
Prior to meeting the child for assessment, a meeting with parents or carers is scheduled to conduct a semi-structured interview to understand the childs history, challenges and strengths. After each assessment, a detailed report is written, including recommendations for families and school. Throughout this process families are ensured transparency and communication.