Diagnostic Assessments
Unless requested specifically by a relevant specialist (eg. Psychiatrist or Developmental Paediatrician), a Diagnostic Assessment starts with an initial assessment with our Clinical/Educational Psychologist so that they can recommend the most appropriate assessment for your child’s situation.
Following the completion of the assessments, the Psychologist will arrange for a separate feedback session to go through the Assessment Report, findings and individualised recommendations for your child and his/her school.
Our Assessment Reports are written by registered Clinical Psychologists and Educational Psychologists with specific accreditation and training in administering these instruments, and meet MOE/SEAB requirements.
Scroll down to read about the Diagnostic Assessments we offer, or jump from the links below:
ADHD Assessment
Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is a common childhood disorder that affects a child’s ability to focus well. Frequently, the child may be distractible or poorly motivated. The teacher may feedback that the child is inattentive or dreamy in class, or even fidgety or disruptive. There may also be impulsive behavior and conduct issues.
Children with ADHD are more likely to under-perform academically and get into disciplinary trouble more frequently. They are also at risk of developing comorbid conditions such as low self esteem, anxiety or mood disorders.
Why is an ADHD assessment useful?
Early diagnosis and early intervention is crucial in addressing many difficulties that children with ADHD experience, and to give them the best chance at achieving their full potential and succeeding later in life. A formal assessment aids in the definite diagnosis of your child’s condition.
Interventions for ADHD should be holistic, and include the appropriate interventional therapists/psychologists, parents/family, teachers and the school, and/or a doctor.
Our Psychologists have extensive experience working with teachers and schools to suggest individualised accommodations that will benefit your child. When it comes to the home environment, specific suggestions on managing behaviors and learning strategies will also form part of the eventual feedback and intervention sessions.
What the assessment tests for:
The ADHD assessment includes a review of your child’s academic progress and feedback. It also entails several standardized subtests such as IQ tests, tests of attention and a standardized computerized test to see if your child meets diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Dyslexia & Other Learning Disorders
Dyslexia is a fairly common learning disability that affects skills such as reading, writing or spelling. Your child’s teacher may be the first to notice a problem, as he/she starts school. Dyslexia can also affect different languages differently, for example mother tongue or Chinese.
Signs of possible Dyslexia may include:
- Late talking
- Learning new words slowly
- Problems forming words correctly, such as reversing sounds in words or confusing words that sound alike
- Problems remembering or naming letters, numbers and colors
In school, children with Dyslexia may:
- Perform poorly in certain languages despite putting in the effort
- Reading well below the expected level for age
- Problems processing and understanding what he or she hears
- Difficulty finding the right word or forming answers to questions
- Inability to sound out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word
- Difficulty spelling
- Spending an unusually long time completing tasks that involve reading or writing
- Avoiding activities that involve reading
Why is an early assessment useful?
Children with Dyslexia often face frustration in the course of learning, which negatively impacts their motivation, interest and even self-esteem. Early diagnosis and intervention not only helps academically, but also goes a long way in preventing these other emotional and psychological impacts of a learning disability.
Children with Dyslexia benefit particularly with certain accommodations in their learning environment. Our Psychologists have extensive experience working with teachers and schools to suggest individualised accommodations that can benefit your child, such as access arrangements for examinations or exemption from certain tasks.
Autism Assessment
What the assessment tests for:
Our Psychologists use standardized / ‘gold standard’ assessment tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). In addition, the full assessment also includes obtaining a comprehensive clinical history, review of the child’s academic performance, and subtests to identify any associated learning difficulties such as IQ testing and specific reading/learning tests.
Autism can present as a range of symptoms or disabilities, and as a result we often refer to this as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Cognitive function/intelligence may or may not be affected – in fact, some children fall within the milder category of Asperger Syndrome. More saliently, children with ASD have difficulties with social communication aspects. They may be awkward in social communications, have poor eye contact, play alone or have difficulties appreciating the viewpoints of others.
Children with ASD may also experience other related learning difficulties such as attentional deficits or ADHD, or specific learning or language difficulties. There may also be associated behavioral challenges such as impulsive outbursts, and mood or anxiety problems.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
To book an appointment for our Educational Assessment services, please fill in the form and we will assist you as soon as possible.
Alternatively, we welcome enquiries via our phone line at:
(+65) 67055 105