What a cognitive assessment can tell you

Understanding how your brain works is the first step.

What we mean by intellectual disability

One area we specialise in is the assessment of intellectual disability, a term you may hear described as a learning disability in education and social care settings.

It is not simply about how well someone does at school. It describes a difference in how the brain is wired, one that shapes how a person learns, solves problems and makes judgements.

Those differences also ripple out into daily life, affecting how someone picks up new skills or navigates their independence as they grow up.

The three things we look at

To meet the clinical diagnostic criteria, we assess three areas together:

• Intellectual functioning. The ability to learn, to reason and to solve problems.
• Adaptive behaviour. How someone manages in daily life, including communication, social skills and staying safe. This is arguably the most important part.
• Onset. These challenges need to have begun during the developmental period in childhood, before the age of 18.

A difference, not a deficit

Around 2% of the UK population have an intellectual disability.

We see this as part of the natural diversity of human experience. Our goal in an assessment is never simply to hand over a label. It is to unlock the right support, because with the right evidence based intervention everyone can maximise their potential and thrive.

Where the bell curve comes in

When we talk about intellectual functioning, we often use a visual called the bell curve. It shows that in any population most people fall into the middle, average range, and we use standard deviations to measure how far someone sits from that average.

An intellectual disability is typically identified when someone's scores fall significantly below the mean.

That score is only ever one part of the story. We believe an IQ score should never be understood in isolation, so we always balance the numbers with a careful look at adaptive functioning, at how a person navigates the real world every single day.

The tools we use

To build the most accurate picture, we use gold standard assessment tools. The Wechsler measures are the global benchmark for cognitive testing, and we choose the right one for each age group:

• WPPSI for preschoolers and younger children
• WISC for children and young people
• WAIS for adults

We deliver many of these assessments on iPads. For children and young people in particular, this makes the experience far more engaging and interactive than traditional paper and pencil tests, which can feel daunting.

Assessments for more specific needs

Alongside general cognitive assessment, we offer specialist assessments for more specific questions.

Some look closely at executive functioning, the brain's management system that handles things like planning and memory. Others take a deeper dive into learning itself, including reading, writing, spelling and grammar.

That level of detail gives us a roadmap we can share with schools, employers and families, so the support around a person is genuinely shaped to them.

What the assessment itself feels like

We know the idea of a test can feel daunting. If you or your child come to us for a cognitive assessment, your comfort is our priority.

Our clinicians are very good at putting people at ease. We take time to build rapport, we work at your pace and we make sure the environment is as calm as possible, so we see you at your best.

We are not only looking for what you find difficult. We are looking for your strengths, your potential and the best way to support your future.

Talk to us

Understanding your brain is the first step towards a more supported and empowered life.

If you have questions about cognitive assessments, or you would like to think about a referral, our team is here and happy to help.

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