Child and Adolescent Assessments
Pepperberry Psychology is a small private psychology practice, offering assessments for children and adolescents in North and Northwest Tasmania.
Assessments can be conducted at school or at the practice
Assessments at your child’s school
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School visits allow for teacher feedback and classroom and playground observations. Having an understanding of the school allows for more specific learning recommendations.
Assessments can also be conducted in the school with school approval.
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Travel can be arranged to schools from Deloraine to the North Coast and the West Coast of Tasmania.
Assessments in Devonport and Deloraine
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Location in Deloraine opening soon.
At Pepperberry Psychology, we work from a neuro-affirmative and trauma-informed perspective. We aim to help provide realistic strategies tailored to address the individual’s challenges and strengths.
Pepperberry Psychology provides assessments for:
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Identifies a child’s strengths & weaknesses in several cognitive skill areas including verbal comprehension, visuospatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.
Typical assessment tools can include a WPPSI-IV and WISC-V depending on the age.
ASSISTS IN AREAS OF:
-Early school entry-Identifying intellectual giftedness
-Strengths and weaknesses to identify how a child learns
-Provides information relating to strengths and weaknesses -
Identifies the learning challenges & strengths in the areas of reading, written expression, or mathematics.
Assessments can include a Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III), Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement 3, or CTOPP 3.
CAN PROVIDE:
-Diagnosis of a specific learning disorder
-Learning strategies and classroom accommodations
-Helps to inform the Individualised Learning Plan -
Identifies impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention factors in a range of settings which can significantly impact the learning, social, and well-being of a child.
Assessments can include school observations, parent and teacher assessments, and standardised assessments including a cognitive assessment. Further assessment of executive functioning can help inform appropriate strategies & planning.
CAN PROVIDE:
-Evidence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder for further review by paediatrician
-Strategies and classroom accommodations
-Helps to inform the Individualised Learning Plan -
Autism diagnostic assessments are used for the identification & diagnosis of ASD. Assessments include parent and teacher screeners, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS 2), and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). A cognitive assessment may also be recommended.
ASD can be diagnosed as part of a collaborative team, which may include a paediatrician & a speech therapist or occupational therapist.
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES:
-Strategies and understanding of the strengths and challenges in the home and school
-Recommendations for Individualised Learning Plans
-Further referral recommendations for intervention -
Adaptive functioning.
Cognitive functioning.
Identifies an individual's strengths & weaknesses in several cognitive skill areas including verbal comprehension, visuospatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.
Typical assessment tools can include a WAIS-V.
ASSISTS IN AREAS OF:
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About Me
My name is Cathryn Worthington and I am a Registered Psychologist.
I have over 30 years experience working as a psychologist and a teacher. I have extensive experience as both a psychologist and teacher. I am passionate and focused on helping a child be seen and understood.
I am a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi). I am also a Psychology Board of Australia approved supervisor.
I have a background in studies in education (Bachelor of Teaching), psychology (Graduate Diploma of Psychology; Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology), and linguistics (Master of Applied Linguistics focusing on literacy and language).
“At Pepperberry Psychology, my focus is on helping children develop their unique potential through considered assessment, collaborative planning, and intervention”
— Cathryn Worthington | Registered Psychologist and Owner
Assessment process
The assessment process can help develop a shared understanding of a child or adolescent’s needs, between the parent and the school. This helps the child feel capable of making steps towards progress.
An assessment can involve:
Parent interview (covering the child’s developmental history)
Teacher interview
Observations during assessment and if needed in the classroom.
Standardised assessments with your child. This may take up to three sessions.
Parent and teacher assessments
Written report & recommendations
Parent meeting to discuss results and recommendations for home and school.
A child can GROW when they feel seen and understood
Frequently Asked Questions
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Intake form including background information and consent to exchange information is completed.
initial parent interview outlining your child’s needs and confirmation of the assessment plan.
Any previous reports from Allied Health Services or paediatrician will be requested.
Possible phone interview or visit with the class teacher/learning support. This may include observations depending on the assessment.
Requests for school reports, PAT tests, NaAPLAN tests are made.
Assessment screeners may be sent to parents and teacher.
Payment on arrival to assessments and interviews.
Assessments completed in school or in the allied health hub.
Report with recommendations will be written within four weeks of the last assessment.
Parent interview to discuss results. The report is released after the final payment has been made.
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BEFORE YOU ARRIVE-
Photos of the room and the assessor can be shared prior to the assessment day.
Have a good breakfast and sleep the night before.
Arrive in plenty of time to spare.
Bring a drink bottle and snack.
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Yes, school visits and assessments in school contexts help provide a greater understanding of the child and allow for more school-specific recommendations.
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Medicare
Autism assessments: Medicare rebates may be available for autism assessments for children and young people under 25 if a paediatrician or psychiatrist has made a referral. This allocates up to four sessions (8 over a lifetime) of rebate to be used amongst all allied health professionals (e.g. psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy) for assessment sessions.
Private Health Insurance
Some private health insurance policies provide rebates for allied health services. As every fund is different and can change over time, it is best to check with your particular fund about your individual entitlements.
NDIS
In some cases, the NDIS may cover the cost of some services. Please discuss this with your early childhood partner, LAC or NDIA planner.
Contact
Contact me to discuss your child’s needs further and how I can best help.
Email: cathrynworthington@pepperberrypsychology.com.au
Phone: 0477 957 673
Hours: Thursday & Friday (by appointment)
I acknowledge and respect the Traditional Lands of all Aboriginal people. I respect Elders past and present. I ask all those that walk, work and live on Traditional Aboriginal Lands to be respectful of culture and traditions.
