1 The scientific rigour of psychometric assessment
Neuropsychological assessment draws on batteries of standardised tests normed on large reference populations. The Wechsler scales, WISC-V for children and adolescents aged 6 to 16 and WAIS-IV for adults aged 16 to 79, are international reference tools for cognitive assessment. They measure verbal comprehension, visuospatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, working memory and information processing speed.
2 The stages of cognitive assessment
The process begins with a clinical history-taking interview to understand the reason for the request and the educational or professional context. Tests are administered face to face over one or two two-hour sessions in a quiet, standardised environment. The clinician observes quantitative scores alongside metacognitive strategies, resistance to fatigue and stress management when effort is required.
3 Clinical situations requiring in-depth assessment
Assessment is essential to characterise attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD), confirm high intellectual potential, diagnose specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia, or evaluate the cognitive after-effects of head injury, stroke or neurological disease.
4 Accessible feedback and recommendations for adjustments
Assessment concludes with a feedback interview and a detailed written report. Rather than reducing the person to an IQ score, the report highlights strengths, explains vulnerabilities and makes practical recommendations recognised by educational and medical institutions, including one-third extra time in examinations, human assistance and compensatory computer tools.
5 Scientific validity of scores and periodic updating
Psychometric results provide an objective snapshot of cognitive functioning at a particular moment. For a developing child, reassessment may be considered after two years to measure the benefits of rehabilitation and update school adjustments at lower or upper secondary level.