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Beyond IQ Scores

Autism Assessment Handbook for Psychologists

Would you like to gain confidence in making behavioural observations during cognitive and developmental assessments?

The Beyond IQ Scores: A handbook for psychologists is what you need!

This practical handbook for psychologists covers the whole assessment process from first contact to the feedback session and report. 

This practical handbook for psychologists covers the whole assessment process from first contact to the feedback session and report. 

Topics include:

  • Preparing for an assessment 
    • What are we really doing when we assess a child's development or cognitive ability?
    • What is the reason for referral, and how else might the report be used?
  • Engaging with children and families
    • Preparing the assessment room
    • Gaining and maintaining rapport with children who are not yet verbal
    • Motivating children who are reluctant, anxious or indifferent
    • Empowering families through the diagnostic process 
  • Behavioural observations
    • Lydia's research on behaviours displayed by Autistic children and adolescents in Australian cognitive and developmental assessments
    • Cognitive Assessment Observation Checklist
    • For the behaviours you identify in the checklist - whether they could be signs of Autism or other developmental differences, questions to ask parents and teachers, further assessments to consider, and recommendations for your report
  • Modifying assessments
    • When and how to modify assessments, and how to write about the modifications in your report
  • Analysing response patterns
    • What do patterns of errors tell us about the child's skills and strengths?
    • Patterns indicating fatigue, sensory overload, impulsive responding,  and difficulty adjusting to feedback
  • Sharing results and answering questions
    • Neurodiversity affirming conversations
    • How to explain developmental delay, intellectual disability, and changes in scores over time
  • Recommendations for your report
    • Recommendation Menu
    • Assisting parents to seek further assessment and advocate for accommodations
    • Focusing on strengths and helping families find balance
  • Resources