At CALMA Health Psychology we provide a range of neurodevelopment assessments which include Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, intellectual disorders and FASD. Assessment for neurodevelopment disorders is important for several reasons, as it can have significant implications for an individual’s well-being and quality of life. An assessment may be required when a person is experiencing difficulties with concentration, social avoidance, increase in negative behaviours.

Reasons to consider undergoing an assessment for a neurodevelopment disorder:

1. Early Intervention: Early assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopment disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), can lead to early interventions and therapies. Early interventions are often more effective in addressing challenges and improving outcomes.

2. Access to Appropriate Services: A formal diagnosis is often required to access specialised services and support.

3. Educational Planning: For children with neurodevelopment disorders, an assessment can lead to the development of Individualised Education Plans in schools. These plans may include specific accommodations and support services to help the child succeed academically.

4. Research and Treatment: Some individuals and families choose to participate in research studies or clinical trials related to neurodevelopment disorders. A formal diagnosis may be required to participate in such research, which can contribute to the advancement of knowledge and treatments for these conditions.

5. Personal Understanding: A neurodevelopment assessment can provide individuals with a deeper understanding of themselves & their cognitive and emotional processes, and how their brains work. This self-awareness can be empowering and lead to better self-management strategies.

6. Support and Resources: A formal diagnosis can connect individuals and their families with support groups and resources specifically designed for people with neurodevelopment disorders. These resources can provide emotional support, guidance, and practical advice.

7. Improved Communication: An assessment can help individuals and their caregivers or partners develop strategies for improved communication and coping with challenges associated with neurodevelopment disorders. This can lead to stronger relationships and improved quality of life.

8. Planning for the Future: A diagnosis can assist individuals and families in planning for the future. This may include making decisions about education, employment, independent living, and financial planning.

9. It’s important to remember: the decision to undergo an assessment is a personal one, and individuals and their families should consider their unique circumstances and needs in consultation with healthcare professionals.

Types of Neurodevelopment assessments conducted by CALMA Health Psychology:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopment disorder where there are deficits in social communication and interactions including making and maintaining friendships, using both verbal and non-verbal communication, insistence on sameness, fixated interests and sensory sensitivities.

2. ADHD is a persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity and interferes with occupations of daily living.

3. Intellectual Developmental Disorders (intellectual disability) is having difficulties with intellectual functions (such as reasoning, problem solving, planning among other other areas); significant impairment in functioning in daily life activities such as communication, independent living, engaging in the community; which occur during the developmental period.

4. Other specified neurodevelopment disorders associated with prenatal alcohol exposure is characterised by a number of developmental difficulties across ten domain including cognition, academia, memory, executive functioning, attention and affect.

Learning

Learning assessments can be a valuable tool that provides an insight into your cognitive and psychological functioning, helping you optimize your learning, and provide recommendations to support learning challenges. This type of assessment can consider Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and/or Dysgraphia.

Learning assessments can:

1. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: A learning assessment can help identify a person’s strengths and weaknesses.

2. Tailor Your Learning: Once you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can tailor your learning strategies accordingly. For example, if you struggle with memory, you can implement memory-enhancing techniques into your study routine.

3. Accommodations: Assist with accommodations, such as extended time on exams or note-taking assistance at school or university.

4. Overcoming Challenges: If you’ve been struggling with psychological or learning-related challenges, such as attention difficulties, difficulties with reading, writing, mathematics, a learning assessment can help identify if you have a learning disorder.

5. Optimize Learning Strategies: The outcome of a learning assessment comes with recommendations on specific strategies and interventions to improve your learning outcomes.

6. Measure Progress: After receiving a learning assessment, you can periodically reassess your skills to track your progress. This can be motivating and provide evidence of your improvement over time.

The process for each assessment includes:

• Client/caregiver interview: to discuss concerns, developmental, medical, social and other relevant history. Its an information gathering session which helps guide the assessment.

• A series of questionnaires to be completed which may include the school, parents, self or others (depending on age of person being assessed).

• Assessment Phase – direct testing with the client which may include a cognitive assessment (for example WPPSI, WISC, WAIS), memory assessment, executive functioning assessment, academic achievement assessment (for example WIAT, WRAT). We also administer the ADOS-2 where relevant.

• Feedback with the client/caregiver to discuss the outcome of the assessment, and diagnosis, if warranted.

• Comprehensive report with recommendations.

Note: There is usually a minimum three week turnaround on reports, once all information has been received.