Cognitive Functioning Assessment

Put simply, a cognitive functioning assessment is a test that psychologists use to understand how your brain functions. A cognitive functioning assessment includes questions and tasks that measure specific cognitive abilities, and identify your brain's strengths, challenges and differences. The results of assessment are used to diagnose and to inform support and strategies to improve your daily life.

Cognitive functioning assessment is available in-clinic or online.

What are the benefits?

Understanding

Cognitive functioning assessment can help you, your family, and your friends understand why you act or feel differently from others. Understanding your brain can help make sense of things that may have been confusing before.

Support

Cognitive functioning assessment identifies your brain's strengths, challenges and differences. An assessment helps you to access support and tools to improve your daily life. These supports usually help with school, university, or in the workplace.

Empowerment

It can be empowering to know that a) there's an explanation for your differences, b) there's ways to make life easier and use your differences to your advantage, and c) you’re not alone—there are like-minded communities to connect with.

How much does cognitive functioning assessment cost?

Assessment Packages

We've streamlined your neurodevelopmental assessment needs with cost-effective packages. Assessment packages help you to save money through bundling, when booking in for multiple assessments. This not only provides financial savings, but also ensures that you receive the most thorough evaluation possible.

Where should I start?

Have a specific question?

Diagnostic assessment

Assessment to diagnose ADHD, autism, giftedness, specific learning disorders and intellectual disabilities.

Unsure if it's ADHD or autism?

Neurodevelopmental screening

Screen your symptoms of ADHD and autism and get guidance from a psychologist without committing to a full assessment.

What is the process?

1. Background - You'll provide your background info and details for your practitioner.

2. Intake - You'll meet your practitioner, and have an opportunity to ask questions and present your concerns.

3. Cognitive Functioning Assessment - You'll complete a series of standardised questions and tasks that evaluate your cognitive functions with the help of your practitioner.

4. Feedback - Your practitioner will discuss your results with you (it’s a jargon-free zone, we work hard to make sure it makes sense), clarify your concerns and talk with you about the next steps,

5. Report Writing - Your practitioner will write a report summarising the assessment findings, their diagnostic impression, and recommendations for next steps.

Cognitive Functioning Assessment Services

What you can expect from us...

Scope is a truly neuro-affirming practice. All of our practitioners and team members value lived experience and take the position of an ally in every interaction. Our services are strengths-based and built around the self-identified needs of our clients. We always aim to identify environmental change to support our clients without changing the individual. Our team includes ND and NT individuals and we can't wait to meet you!

Inclusive

Our cognitive functioning assessments are available to everyone, including people with all verbal abilities (including non-verbal), low and no vision, and low motor skills.

Diverse

We have an extensive library of assessment tools to tailor your assessment and answer your questions.

Accessible

You can access assessment 100% online, in-clinic, through home visits*, or through our rural outreach services.

* Home visits are limited by time taken to travel from our clinic locations. Please ask our client support team for more information.

What should I bring?

Records

Bring any relevant medical and educational records, such as previous assessments and reports, and a list of your current medications.

Questions

You may want to jot down any questions or concerns you have about your symptoms or challenges before your first session.

Items

It may be helpful to bring a notepad and pen to take note of important information, and also a comfort item to make you feel at ease.

Who should I see for a cognitive functioning assessment?

All of our psychologists are AHPRA registered.

Danielle Copplin

FAQs

You have two options when it comes to seeking a formal assessment and diagnosis—a psychiatrist or a psychologist. A psychiatrist doesn’t typically complete neurocognitive assessment, so you don’t get to learn all that much about your brain. However, they can provide medical management for your symptoms in the form of medication. A psychologist helps you to understand your brain and can also teach you ways to manage your symptoms alongside or sometimes without medication.

Medical Management (Psychiatrist)

Seeing a psychiatrist for a diagnosis can help you to access medication for your symptoms.

Pros:

Immediate symptom reduction
Scientifically proven
Predictable effects

Cons:

Possible side effects
Doesn’t address underlying issues
Unknown long-term effects
Dependency and tolerance

Behavioural Management (Psychologist)

Seeing a psychologist for a diagnosis can help you to understand your differences and difficulties, and learn to support them and live well with them.

Pros:

Addresses underlying issues
No side effects
Improves quality of life
Skill development

Cons:

Results are less immediate
Time-consuming