What is a Psychometric Assessment?

A psychometric assessment is a structured process designed to evaluate an individual’s current abilities and skills across various areas of functioning. The information collected during the assessment plays a crucial role in diagnosing childhood disorders, behavioral issues, and learning disabilities. It also helps in identifying the support requirements of an individual, enabling clinicians to make appropriate recommendations.

Psychometric tests are standardised tools, meaning they are developed with consistency in administration, scoring, and interpretation. In a standardized test, all participants are presented with the same set of questions in a predetermined order and under identical testing conditions. This allows clinicians to compare an individual’s performance with that of their peers of the same age group.

Who can benefit from a psychometric assessment?

1. Problems with paying attention, focusing, and completing tasks on time.
2. Distractibility, forgetfulness, disorganization, and trouble following multi-step instructions.
3. Hyperactivity, restlessness, fidgeting, and difficulties with impulse control.
4. Struggles with reading, spelling, or math, leading to falling behind in academic performance.
5. Lack of interest, engagement, or motivation at school.

What is the target age for psychometric assessments?

We conduct psychometric assessments for children and teenagers aged between 6 and 16

What areas do we assess?

We assess the following:

1. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
2. Specific learning disorders (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia)
3. Language difficulties
4. Intellectual disability
5. Giftedness

What is the assessment process?

1. Initial Interview: During a 50-minute appointment, one of our psychologists meets with the child/teen and their parents for an initial interview. This helps in understanding the current concerns, the development of difficulties over time, as well as the young person’s academic performance, social functioning, and developmental and medical history. The suitability of a psychometric assessment is also determined in this session.
2. Online questionnaires: Following the initial interview and testing sessions, we may also request parents, teachers, and/or the teenager to complete online questionnaires.
3. Written report: Once the psychometric assessment scores have been calculated and interpreted (in comparison to age-matched peers), a comprehensive report is prepared. This report summarizes the current difficulties/concerns, background information, observations made during the testing, and the test results.
4. Recommendations: The psychologist will analyse all the gathered information and provide a summary of any diagnoses or significant weaknesses identified in the report. Individualised recommendations are offered concerning appropriate strategies/interventions, which might include referrals to paediatricians or other allied health professionals for further assessment and support, if necessary.
5. Feedback session: Parents are invited to a 50-minute feedback session where the psychologist explains the assessment results and recommendations outlined in the report. This session also provides an opportunity for parents to ask questions and discuss the next steps in the process.