Psychological Assessments
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Bryanwood Centre conducts assessments for a wide range of psychological and educational disorders.
To ensure that we are catering for both children and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds (this includes expats living or working in South Africa) we continually update our test library and ensure that we have all the appropriate psychological assessments.
Most of the psychological assessments involving children include an interview with parents where the therapist goes over the history of the child’s birth, growth and development. In this time, there is specific focus on areas on concern. After the assessment, the therapist arranges for a feedback session with parents where the outcomes of the psychological assessment are discussed.
While psychological assessments sound terrifying; they are completely harmless and are specifically designed to help you. During this time, the therapist is guided in the right direction to ensure that the correct areas are focused on from the beginning. This makes sure that all future therapy is as effective as possible.
Emotional Assessments
Bryanwood’s goal is to assist in improving the quality of life for children who face the challenges associated with a wide range of developmental and behavioural problems. At times it is difficult for parents to pinpoint exactly what their child’s concerns and difficulties are. Emotional assessments provide insight into a child’s self-identity, self-esteem, functioning in the family, school and social context, as well as any other concerns. Emotional assessments for adults focus on several areas, including EQ (emotional intelligence), hope, optimism and creativity. The influence of physical health on psychological function, addiction/substance-abuse issues etc are also addressed if need be.
Vocational/Career Assessments
The aim of these assessments is to look at aptitudes, interests, personality functioning, goals and values. Once this is done, therapists assist clients in combining points to increase self-knowledge. This enables the individual to make a more informed and considered choice with regards to tertiary education and study or adaptations to chosen career paths.
Educational Assessments
Educational assessments include a battery of tests that most children and teenagers experience as “like being in school”. The point of educational assessments is to evaluate the level of cognitive and behavioural functioning and to serve as a basis for making recommendations about school placement and overall care of the child. Educational assessments also assist in diagnosing learning disabilities and attention difficulties that interfere with learning. Tests will look at the child’s ability to sit still, to focus, to process information, visually and auditorily as well as to organise thoughts in his/her head and on paper. Through diagnostic evaluation, personalised recommendations and intervention, Bryanwood strive to help children achieve success in their everyday lives through the determination of their unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses.
Developmental Assessments
The aim of these assessments is to ascertain the level of progress towards developmental milestones. These include gross- and fine-motor control, speech and language development, personal and social self-care skills and practical reasoning abilities for younger children (3 – 5 years of age). This type of assessment is recommended for school-readiness purposes, as well as when there is concern about possible delayed development in any area.
Special Examination Concessions
These may include additional time when writing matriculation and university examinations as well as spelling and handwriting concessions.
Emigration Assessments
Reports are written to determine and quantify children’s special educational needs prior to emigration, or on behalf of relocation agencies placing families in South Africa.
Bryanwood’s Psychological Assessment Therapist is Orit Grossman