The cognitive assessments used are the WISC-V UK (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) for those aged 6 years to 16 years and 11 months; and the WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) for those aged 17 years +. These assessments measure the intellectual ability of children and adults and were developed to provide an overall measure of general cognitive ability, and also measure intellectual functioning in Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed. 

Pros:

• Can give standardised scores across the four domains of cognitive functioning: perceptual reasoning, verbal comprehension, working memory and processing speed.
• Standardisation means it has been administered to a large representative sample of individuals and the results have been analysed to create ‘norms'. This allows for the results of a cognitive assessment to be compared to those of others the same age and to provide a clear picture of their cognitive abilities.
• Gives a comprehensive overview of a wide range of cognitive functioning.
• Easily accessible.
• Allows identification of strengths and weaknesses within an individuals cognitive profile.
• For children - can provide an insight into a child's progress in school, and can provide valuable information for educational and intervention planning.

How long does it take?

• The assessment is conducted face to face and can take anywhere between 1 hour - 2 hours.

What is included?

• A full cognitive assessment, a report with recommendations, and a 30 minute feedback session. 

A cognitive assessment is not:

To be diagnosed with a learning disability and be considered eligible to receive support from learning disability services (criteria may vary across counties), there are three requirements which must be met:

1. Significant impairment of intellectual functioning;
2. Significant impairment of social/ adaptive functioning;
3. The age of onset of both of the above being before 18 years of age.

A full assessment involves the following:

• An interview with parents, carers, or someone who knows you well. This interview focuses on developmental and educational history. This can be conducted in person or remotely and can take anywhere between 1 hour and 1.5 hours.
• An assessment of adaptive functioning. This can be done with you, and/or parents, carers, or someone who knows you well. This assessment focuses on how well you are able to manage in day to day life. This can take anywhere between 1 hour and 1.5 hours.
• A cognitive assessment (WAIS-IV). The assessment is conducted face to face and can take anywhere between 1 hour - 2 hours.