Learning Assessment

What is a Learning Assessment?

A learning assessment (or Academic Achievement testing) evaluates a person’s developmental progress, learning style and educational needs. Learning assessments consist of both a cognitive assessment and an academic assessment. At Approach Psychology, we offer testing for children aged 6 years through to adults using the WISC-V or WAIS-5 and WIAT-III.

Key areas assessed in an Educational Assessment:

• Cognitive Functioning – To see the key areas assessed in a Cognitive Assessment, click this link: click here.
• Reading – Sight words, sounding-out words, and reading comprehension, including understanding written passages.
• Writing – spelling, grammar and written expression through sentence and paragraph formation.
• Mathematics – calculation, reasoning and problem solving
• Listening & Oral Expression – understanding and expressing ideas.

Why should you / your child have a Learning Assessment?

• To identify learning difficulties and clarify if a child has a specific learning disorder in reading, mathematics or written expression (e.g Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia)
• To tailor educational supports to a child’s specific needs, including to support special education services and individualised learning support
• To clarify how a child learns best and their emerging strengths

What does the process look like?

The process is structured, collaborative, and tailored to the individual. It typically includes:

Initial Consultation (Face-to-Face or Telehealth)

• A biopsychosocial interview to explore developmental history, current concerns, medical background, and family context.
• Discussion of goals and expectations.
• Review of school reports, previous assessments, and other relevant documents
• The initial assessment is predominantly information gathering to ensure that appropriate tests are administered and that any recommendations are individually tailored.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Questionnaires

• Following your initial assessment, your clinician may electronically issue relevant questionnaires and assessments to be completed by each parent/carer/client and, where appropriate, teachers.

Duration: Each questionnaire is approximately 10-15 minutes.

Face-to Face Testing

• Your psychologist will recommend and administer a series of standardised tests, usually the WISC-V or WAIS-5, depending on your / your child’s age, and the WIAT-III.
• Testing is typically completed in the morning to maximise alertness and reduce the risk of mental fatigue influencing the results.
• The duration of testing varies depending on the tests required and child-specific factors such as motivation, alertness and concentration.

Duration: 3-4 hours, which may be split across two days to capitalise on an individual’s focus and alertness.

Feedback Session

• A collaborative discussion of findings
• Review of questionnaires completed by the individual, parents and teachers/observers
• Opportunity to ask questions and clarify results
• Recommendations for support, therapy, or accommodations

Duration: 60-90 minutes

Comprehensive Report

• A detailed document summarising the assessment, diagnosis (if applicable), and tailored recommendations.
• Useful for accessing services, school supports, or workplace accommodations and, where applicable, NDIS funding.

What is the cost?

The cost of a Cognitive Assessment is dependent on several factors, including the number of questionnaires, the complexity of the presenting issue, and the specific testing required. At Approach Psychology, our assessments are administered only by Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Psychology Registrars who have undertaken specialist and extended university-level training in administering and interpreting Psychometric Assessments.

For a personalised quote, please speak to our friendly reception team on 0478 763 163 or Click Here.