DR GILL WALKER - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHOTHERAPIST & SUPERVISOR
School readiness, giftedness & exam accommodations
Whether you're wondering if your child is ready to start school, trying to get the right support in place for exams, or beginning to wonder if your child's abilities are beyond what their current school environment can offer, these assessments are about making sure the right doors are open at the right time.
What are school readiness & giftedness assessments?
These assessments all draw on the same gold-standard cognitive tools - the difference is in the question being asked and what the report is used for. If you're looking for a broader cognitive or IQ profile, see the cognitive and IQ testing page.
From deciding whether your child is ready to start school, to ensuring a student gets the exam conditions they need to perform at their best -these assessments are about making sure every child and student has the right opportunities and support at the right time.
School readiness assessment
What is school readiness assessment?
School readiness assessment evaluates whether a child has developed the cognitive, language and social-emotional skills that predict success in a formal school environment. It's not just about whether they know their letters, it's about the whole picture of a child's development.
Who is it for?
School readiness assessment is worth considering if:
What does the assessment involve?
Using Wechsler ability and attainment batteries, the assessment evaluates cognitive development, language skills, early academic knowledge and social-emotional functioning. The result is a clear profile of where your child is developmentally - and practical recommendations for home and school to support them in making the best possible start.
Giftedness assessment
What is giftedness assessment?
Giftedness assessment measures intellectual ability to determine whether a child's cognitive skills are significantly advanced for their age. It goes beyond school performance - some gifted children are actually underperforming, particularly if they're bored, unchallenged or twice-exceptional (gifted and also living with a learning difficulty or neurodevelopmental condition).
Who is it for?
Giftedness assessment may be helpful when:
What does the assessment involve?
The WISC or WPPSI provides a detailed cognitive profile, including full-scale IQ and subscale scores across verbal, visual-spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed. Where relevant, academic attainment is also assessed. The report includes recommendations for school and home.
Exam accommodations assessment
What is exam accommodations assessment?
An exam accommodations assessment provides the objective psychological evidence needed to apply for adjusted exam conditions - such as extra time, a separate room, use of a scribe or reader, or rest breaks. These adjustments are available at school (NESA), university and professional qualification level, but require documented evidence of a psychological condition or learning difficulty that affects performance under standard exam conditions.
Who is it for?
This assessment is relevant for students who:
A formal psychological assessment and report is typically required by NESA and most universities - a GP letter alone is generally not sufficient.
What does the assessment involve?
The assessment is tailored to the specific requirements of the institution or exam body, and typically includes cognitive testing, relevant diagnostic assessment, and a detailed report documenting the nature of the condition, its impact on exam performance, and the specific adjustments being recommended. Gill's reports are written with the relevant institutional requirements in mind.
A note on rebates
Medicare does not generally offer rebates for accommodation assessments. However, a limited Medicare rebate may be available for autism-related assessments in clients under 25 with a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist rather than a GP. Please ask about this when you enquire.
How the process works
Assessment takes place across several appointments and includes a consultation, rating scales, direct assessment sessions and a feedback meeting. A written report is delivered within six weeks. See our full step by step guide here.
Further assessments & resources
Dr Gill SH Walker, Clinical Psychologist,
Fellow, APS College of Clinical Psychologists
AHPRA Psychology Board-approved supervisor
BSc, MSc, PgDip, DPhil, PhD, MAPS,
AHPRA PSY0002115475
Useful links & contact:
Email: referral@inpsyght.net
Phone: (+61) 415 227 200
Address: 6/21 Sydney Road, Manly, NSW, 2095 (By appointment only, no walk ins)
Tue, Wed + Fri 8:30am - 12noon
This practice does not provide crisis or emergency supports. A list of crisis support numbers may be found here.
Connect:
We are an inclusive practice and welcome people of all identities, including LGBTQIA+
InPsyGHT pays its respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging; and acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We strongly support practices that provide culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal clients.
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