Understanding how your child learns
Every child learns differently, but when a child is consistently struggling at school, whether that's with reading, maths, memory, focus, or keeping up with the pace of the classroom, it can be hard to know why. A cognitive and academic assessment gives you a clear, evidence-based picture of your child's thinking and learning profile, so instead of guessing, you and your child's school know exactly what's going on and how to support them.
Cognitive and Academic Achievement Assessments, Gold Coast
What's involved?
I use two gold-standard, internationally recognised assessment tools:
WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) measures your child's cognitive ability across areas like verbal reasoning, visual-spatial skills, working memory, and processing speed. It builds a detailed picture of your child's cognitive strengths and where they may need more support.
WIAT-III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test) measures academic achievement in areas like reading, writing, and maths, and compares this against what's expected for your child's age and year level. Used together with the WISC-V, it helps identify whether a gap between ability and achievement, a common sign of a specific learning difficulty, is present.
Why families come to Mindaras for this
As a former teacher and school psychologist, I don't just administer a test and hand over a score. I've sat on the other side of the classroom, and I understand what a school actually needs from a report to put the right support in place, and what a parent needs to understand and feel confident about what's next. Every assessment includes time to talk through the results with you in plain language, not just clinical jargon.
When an assessment can help
An assessment can be useful if your child is:
Struggling with reading, writing, or maths despite effort and support at home
Achieving below what you'd expect given how bright and capable they seem
Being considered for additional learning support, an Individual Curriculum Plan, or NCCD funding at school
Showing signs of a possible specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia
In need of documentation to access exam or assessment adjustments
A comprehensive written report outlining your child's cognitive and academic profile, in language that's clear for both you and your child's school, along with practical recommendations for support at school and at home. I'm also happy to liaise directly with your child's school if that's helpful.
What you'll receive
Getting started
If you're not sure whether an assessment is the right next step, that's a great place to start the conversation. Get in touch and we can talk through what you're noticing and whether this will give you and your child's school the answers you need.
Looking for an ADHD assessment specifically? See our ADHD Assessment page.
The Mindaras Difference
Most cognitive and academic assessments come from someone who's only ever seen your child in a clinic room. I've spent years inside classrooms and schools as a teacher and school psychologist, so I understand exactly what a report needs to achieve, real support at school, not just a score.
Every assessment is thorough, evidence-based, and explained in plain language, for you and for your child's school. You'll leave with genuine clarity on how your child learns and what to do next.
Hannah
Founder / Psychologist
