Assessment Sessions
Where:
Most of the assessments are conducted at the offices in 642 New North Road, see our location on the map. Arrangements will be discussed at the time of the initial consultation. To complete a Cognitive and Educational assessment for the younger children two sessions are required – the first one is usually of two hours duration and the second approximately one-one and a half hours although this is age and developmentally related; if we see your child is tired, we may arrange extra sessions. A short break is taken mid-way through each session. For the older children one longer sessions of two and a half to three hour session is usually adequate although sometimes it may require two sessions.
Reporting Back:
A brief verbal feedback will be given at the time of the assessment. If necessary an extra booking, which will be charged for, can be made to discuss the report in more depth. The report will include the assessments used, the results, how this was interpreted and the recommendations given to support your child at home and school. Sometimes a referral may be made to another agency e.g. Doctor, Speech-language therapist or perhaps an Optometrist. For an extra fee, our personnel can report back to the school and/or attend a meeting or an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
What happens to the information?
All information and subsequent reports are treated with privacy and confidence. Psychologists are bound by the Psychologist's Code of Ethics which includes a strict commitment to client confidentiality. Reports are only disclosed to additional parties with prior consent from the parent/caregiver.
What is involved in an assessment report?
The reports are comprehensive and include the assessment(s) observations, results, data analysis and recommendations and suggestions to support your child and family both at home and school. Parents sometimes question the cost of a report, it is important to consider that you are receiving excellent yet perhaps some unconsidered value in the form of :
Assessment time and report writing:
Assessment and writing up reports. To ensure the report ‘ is right’ takes time, both to think about and write the report. This includes time spent talking about your child, reading prior information, collecting data and at times liaising with school and other professionals.
Professional costs:
Annual registrations, membership of professional bodies, indemnity insurance, copyrighted assessment kits and associated forms, professional resources such as journals and books, ongoing Professional Development, updated software, Professional Supervision, previous and ongoing University training:
Administration costs:
Ongoing office costs including IT equipment and furniture, insurances, running costs including website building and maintenance, stationery, printing, lighting, heating etc. Compliance costs e.g. administration staff, accountant, GST, IRD, ACC levies, staff expenses, car and travel expenses.
