Neuropsychology & Educational and Developmental Assessments in Brisbane
Neuropsychological and Educational & Developmental Assessments in Brisbane
Neuropsychological and Educational & Developmental Assessments will be tailored to address the specific assessment question in mind, but can include assessments of intelligence, reasoning, abstract thinking, attention and concentration, memory and learning, executive functioning, planning, problem solving, impulse control, mental flexibility, academic skills, processing speed, and social/behavioural functioning.
Our Psychologists are experienced in conducting a wide range of assessments of neuropsychological functioning in adults. In addition to Neuropsychology and Educational & Developmental assessment Hardwick Psychological Services also offers therapy and counselling service from Psychologists in Brisbane.
When might a Neuropsychological or Educational and Developmental Assessment be useful?
Psychologists use cognitive assessments to investigate the following possible concerns:
- ADHD Kids & Teens
- ADHD Adults
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Leaning & Educational difficulties
- Gifted and Talented
Book a Cognitive Assessment
What does a Cognitive Assessment involve?
Cognitive testing typically involves a 4 – 6 hour assessment session in Brisbane, which includes a clinical interview with the client and possibly a family member, and cognitive testing using various validated psychometric measures.
The Assessment report will summarise the assessment results, outline the client’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and provide a range of strategies, interventions or support services that might be of use to address any areas of concern. The findings will then be explained as part of a feedback session with the client and any relevant support people.
Meet the Neuropsychology & Cognitive Assessment team
Dr Sascha Hardwick
DIRECTOR – Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Neuropsychologist
Rebekah Randall
SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST Clinical Neuropsychologist & Psychologist
Caitlin Knight
ENDORSED PSYCHOLOGIST Clinical Neuropsychologist
Dr Sarah Pollock
TEAM LEADER - Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Neuropsychologist
Dr Katharine Baker
(Leave until 2025) SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST Clinical Neuropsychologist
Mikayla Hancock
PSYCHOLOGIST - Ed & Dev Registrar
Whitney Rose
SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST Clinical Neuropsychologist
Sophia Robson
PSYCHOLOGIST
Teagan Kind
PSYCHOLOGIST
Janet Wright
PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Stuart Wilkinson
PSYCHOLOGIST
Neuropsychological Therapy and Rehabilitation Services
Following a Neuropsychological Assessment, a therapy or rehabilitation programme can also be delivered which can address any identified concerns, assist with adjustment to the injury, and support those who are close to the client (e.g. family, partners and children). Types of interventions that may be of use include the following:
- Adjustment to injury counselling
- Memory retraining
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Planning and problem solving skills development
- Impulse control
- Behavioural problems
- Social functioning
- Insight and awareness
- Anger management
- Relationship/intimacy issues
- Increasing independence
- Carer support and advice
Costs of a Neuropsychological assessment
The length, detail and number of assessments undertaken can vary greatly depending on the needs of an individual. We offer a tailored approach to address specific assessment questions. Call or email for a quote based on your requirements:
Email: hello@hardwickpsychology.com.au
Phone: (07) 3515 0172
Private Referrals
- The cost for a private referral for a Cognitive / Neuropsychological Assessment vary based on requirements. Call for a Quote
Organisational / WorkCover
- For WorkCover / NIISQ / BUPA / NDIS / Insurance – Call for a Quote
FAQ
The difference between a Clinical Psychologist and a Clinical Neuropsychologist?
In short:
- A Clinical Psychologist is someone who assesses and treats a range of emotional, relationship or mental health issues.
- A Neuropsychologist is someone who conducts cognitive assessments of individuals following brain injury, to determine their level of functioning and answer questions about their capacity to return to various roles. A Neuropsychologist might also conduct therapy to assist those with a brain injury to recover.
Clinical Psychologists
A Clinical Psychologist is a professional who has received advanced training in psychology at either a Masters or Doctoral level. They would have also received endorsement from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to enable them to use the title of Clinical Psychologist. A Clinical Psychologist would have studied the research surrounding mental health conditions and understand theoretical models of how such problems operate. They would have also learnt various treatment methods for how to help their clients manage these emotional and mental health issues. The type of treatment methods used might vary from Psychologist to Psychologist, depending on their training and interest. Experienced Clinical Psychologists will have training in a range of therapeutic techniques so that they can tailor the treatment to the client’s particular needs.
Clinical Neuropsychologists
A Clinical Neuropsychologist is also someone who has completed advanced training in the brain and brain injury at either the Masters or Doctoral level. They also would have received endorsement from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to enable them to use the title of Clinical Neuropsychologist. They will have studied how the brain works, and how various injuries or insults to the brain may result in changes in the individual’s functioning.
A large part of a Clinical Neuropsychologist’s work is conducting cognitive assessments of brain function. Cognitive assessments involve the provision of various tasks/tests that aim to measure underlying brain function. The Clinical Neuropsychologist will use this information to answer various questions, such as whether the client can return to work. Some Clinical Neuropsychologists might have also studied how to provide rehabilitation services to clients to enable them to overcome difficulties experienced as a result of their brain damage. This might involve support the client to better understand their brain injury, adjust to the changes that their injury has caused to their life, and learn strategies to manage the cognitive changes, such as memory and organizational strategies.
Some professionals might be registered as both a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist, and such professionals will be able to provide a well-rounded approach to managing both mental health issues and cognitive issues.
When would a Neuropsychologist be needed?
A Neuropsychological assessment is often used to answer a specific referral question. The following types of people might make a referral for a Neuropsychological assessment or treatment:
- The individual or family member;
- A Health Professional (e.g. General Practitioner, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Psychiatrist, Neurologist, or Paediatrician);
- Employment Services (e.g. WorkCover, Commonwealth Rehabilitation Services, or an employer);
- Educational Professional (e.g. Guidance Counsellor);
- Legal Professional (e.g. Solicitor);
- Disabilities Services or Agencies; or
- Child Protection Services (Department of Communities).
An example of some of the presenting problems and the types of questions that might be asked include the following:
Problem | Question |
Acquired Brain Injury | Has there been a brain injury? What is the prognosis for recovery? How severe is the person’s cognitive problems? Can they return to work/study? |
ADHD | Do I have ADHD? Is it likely to affect my work/study? What can I do to manage it? |
Memory Problems | Do I have memory problems and what is causing them? |
Intellectual Impairment | Does this person have an intellectual impairment and if so what is the severity? What is the likely impact of the person’s intellectual impairment on their capacity to work / parent / live independently / make financial and legal decisions etc? |
Dementia | Does my mother/father have Dementia or are they experiencing normal age-related memory problems? What type of Dementia do they have and how will their functioning change over time? What can I do to support them and improve their quality of life? |
Learning Difficulties | How is my reading/mathematical skills compared to my peers? Do I have a learning disability? What can I do to be more successful in my study? What type of occupation might be best for me? |
Neurological Conditions (e.g. Stroke, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis etc.) | What is the person’s level of functioning? What types of support are they likely to need to manage their activities of daily living? What is their likely prognosis? How can I best support them? |
What do Neuropsychologists do?
A Neuropsychologist is trained to use a range of psychometric tests to examine an individual’s cognitive functioning. Cognitive areas that are typically assessed include the following:
- Intelligence & Reasoning
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Skills
- Attention, Concentration & Working Memory
- Information Processing Speed
- Memory and Learning
- And Executive Functioning skills (including Planning, Organisation, Abstract Thinking, Multi-tasking, Sequencing, Self-monitoring, and Fluency of Thought etc.).
An individual’s test results are then compared with their peers to determine whether the person is performing at age-appropriate levels. Certain tests might also be used to determine if a person is performing at a level that is consistent with their pre-existing level of functioning.
Once this assessment is completed the Neuropsychologist writes a report which summarises the results and provides feedback to the individual and their support people. The Neuropsychologist might also answer any particular questions that the person or referrer has about the meaning of the results (e.g. Will I be able to return to work soon? What is the likelihood my memory will improve? Has this person suffered a brain injury?).
Some Neuropsychologists are also trained in the provision of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. This is the name given to the treatment of cognitive problems, and might involve training the individual in the use of internal or external strategies to assist them to overcome or manage their cognitive difficulties.
What is involved in a Neuropsychological Assessment?
A neuropsychological assessment typically involves an initial interview in our Brisbane offices where the individual’s current difficulties and background are explored. Following this, the client participates in testing that lasts between two and four hours depending on the referral question. The exact tests employed are likely to change from case to case, but might include tasks such as being asked to put blocks together to make designs, giving the meanings of words, remembering lists of words, or completing various visual puzzles.
The assessment might also involve reviewing documents relating to the individual such as medical or educational reports. An interview with a family member or health professional might also be useful.
After the assessment is complete a report is produced. The report generally covers all the information gained through the interview and assessment with a summary of the person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The report also generally outlines the likely cause of any weaknesses and recommendations for strategies or support services that could be of use.
What is Neuropsychological Rehabilitation?
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation is that name given to support provided to those experiencing cognitive problems. It involves assisting the individual to learn a range of practical strategies that can assist them to deal with their particular areas of cognitive difficulty.
For example, a client with memory problems might learn a range of memory strategies such as mnemonics, to improve their memory effectiveness in every day life. Or a person with organisation difficulties might be taught to use a system of strategies to assist them with planning and organisation (e.g. diaries, wall calendars, notes and checklists).
The nature of the rehabilitation programme is always driven by the person’s specific goals and progress is measured against such goals.
Often in addition to cognitive issues there can be a range of emotional problems that accompany brain injury, including anger, depression, adjustment difficulties, and anxiety. Problems might also be of a relationship or sexual nature. If this is the case, then rehabilitation will also provide support around adjustment to these emotional/relationship changes in order to improve the individual’s overall quality of life.
Our location
We’re based in Ashgrove, Brisbane. You’ll find us on level 1 of Highpoint Plaza. There is ample off-street parking with lift and disability access.