Psychological assessment and diagnosis

Any initial meeting with parents and children includes an initial assessment, aimed at understanding the nature of the difficulties presented, considering possible underlying factors, and evaluating what type of intervention may be most helpful. This process also involves clarifying initial therapeutic goals and determining whether therapy is appropriate at that stage.

In some cases, a more comprehensive assessment is required, which may include formal psychometric tools such as cognitive (IQ) testing, emotional or projective assessments, and, when relevant, psycho-educational (didactic) evaluations. These are used depending on the presenting question. For example, concerns about learning abilities or a possible specific learning disorder.

A referral for psychological assessment may be initiated by parents, educational staff, or medical and allied health professionals such as speech and language therapists or occupational therapists.

Assessments and diagnostic processes typically also involve communication with relevant educational or therapeutic professionals who know the child or adolescent and their family. This collaborative approach helps build a fuller understanding of the difficulties and ensures that tailored recommendations can be made accordingly.