IQ & Cognitive Assessments
Understanding Your Child’s Intellectual Potential
At Steps and Stones Psychology in Blackwood, we believe that every child’s mind works differently. Whether you are seeking to support a diagnosis of Intellectual Disability, apply for a gifted education program (like IGNITE), or simply understand your child’s cognitive strengths, we provide the clarity you need.
We go beyond simple scoring. Our comprehensive assessments look at the whole child, their reasoning, memory, processing speed, and adaptive skills, to provide a complete picture of their potential.
Why Seek an IQ Assessment?
Cognitive testing is not just about a number. It is a clinical tool used to open doors for educational support and funding.
1. Giftedness & High Potential Learners
Supporting Extension & Scholarship Applications
If your child is bored in class or showing advanced reasoning skills, they may be intellectually gifted. We provide the formal evidence required for:
- IGNITE & Extension Programs: South Australian Department for Education special entry programs.
- Scholarship Applications: Private school academic scholarships.
- Curriculum Acceleration: Evidence to support “grade skipping” or subject extension.
2. Intellectual Disability (ID) & NDIS Access
Supporting Funding & Special School Enrolment
To diagnose an Intellectual Disability, you need more than just an IQ score. You need to prove that cognitive challenges are impacting daily life. Our assessments meet the strict criteria for NDIS access and Special School enrolment by combining:
- Cognitive Testing (IQ): Measuring intellectual capacity.
- Adaptive Functioning (Vineland-3): Measuring practical daily living skills (communication, socialisation, and self-care).
3. Non-Verbal Assessments (UNIT-2)
Fair Testing for Diverse Needs
Standard IQ tests rely heavily on language, which can disadvantage children with Autism (ASD), speech disorders, or those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. We are one of the few clinics in the Adelaide Hills to offer the UNIT-2 (Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test). This allows your child to demonstrate their intelligence using gestures and visual puzzles, no spoken language required.
Our Comprehensive Assessment Process
We don’t just administer a test; we conduct a full clinical investigation. This ensures our reports are robust, accurate, and align with the standards expected by the Department for Education and NDIS.
1. Clinical Interview
We begin with a detailed intake session to understand your child’s developmental history, medical background, and your specific goals (e.g., funding vs. giftedness).
2. Cognitive Testing (WISC-V or UNIT-2)
Depending on your child’s needs, we administer:
- WISC-V: The gold standard for verbal children.
- UNIT-2: The specialist option for non-verbal or language-impaired children.
3. Academic Screening (Selected WIAT-III)
Where appropriate, we administer selected subtests from the WIAT-III to screen for basic academic skills. This helps us see if their cognitive potential is translating into actual school performance.
4. Adaptive Functioning (Vineland-3)
Essential for Intellectual Disability & NDIS. We administer the Vineland-3, a standardised questionnaire completed by parents and teachers. This measures how your child functions in the ‘real world’ compared to other children their age.
5. Teacher Consultation
We value the teacher’s voice. We collect standardised questionnaires and conduct interviews to understand how your child functions in the classroom environment.
Fees & Investment
Our IQ assessments are comprehensive packages designed to provide all the evidence required for your specific goal.
Standard Cognitive Assessment ($1,450)
- Includes: Clinical Interview, WISC-V (or UNIT-2), Adaptive Functioning (Vineland-3), Teacher Consultation, Report & Feedback.
- Best for: Giftedness applications, Intellectual Disability diagnosis, NDIS evidence, or School Funding applications.
Note: If you require a full investigation into Specific Learning Disorders (Dyslexia), please view our Educational Assessments page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The WISC-V requires the child to listen to questions and speak their answers. The UNIT-2 is completely non-verbal; instructions are given via gestures, and the child answers by pointing or arranging objects. We use the UNIT-2 to ensure fair testing for children with speech delays or English as a second language.
Yes. Our reports use the standardised tools (WISC-V) required by most South Australian gifted programs and private schools. However, entry criteria vary between schools, so we recommend checking their specific requirements first.
No, you do not need a referral to book an IQ assessment privately.
Unlock Your Child’s Potential
Whether you are seeking support for a disability or opportunities for a gifted learner, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a professional cognitive assessment.