Cognitive and Learning Disability Assessment
EPIC offers cognitive assessment as a standalone service and as part of wider learning disability assessment for children, young people and young adults. Whether you’re seeking to understand cognitive strengths and difficulties, or to formally assess for intellectual or learning disability, our consultant clinical psychologists provide thorough, individualised assessment with clear recommendations.
What is a cognitive assessment?
A cognitive assessment is a standard part of most of our assessment pathways and helps identify any learning needs that may be contributing to the presenting difficulties. It may also be recommended as a standalone assessment following an initial assessment with one of our consultants or senior clinicians.
The assessment looks at cognitive abilities in a number of different areas, including verbal comprehension, non-verbal and visuospatial skills, working memory and processing speed. The specific cognitive assessment used depends on age:
- WPPSI – Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
- WISC-V – Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition
- WAIS-IV – Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition
Information on the individual cognitive assessments and what to expect is available from our administration team on request.
What is an intellectual or learning disability?
An intellectual or learning disability is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by significant cognitive difficulties and limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, which affect daily life skills and learning abilities.
How do we assess for intellectual or learning disability?
All assessments for intellectual or learning disability follow and are informed by the initial assessment with one of our consultants or senior clinicians. Further assessment includes:
- Cognitive assessment
- Developmental history
- Questionnaires completed by parents and carers, and by the school or education setting
- Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales
Information on the individual assessment components and what to expect is available from our administration team on request.
What is the outcome?
All of our assessments include a feedback appointment with the consultant or senior clinician to discuss the findings – this may be with our specialist clinical psychologist. Recognising and understanding cognitive difficulties, intellectual or learning disability is important for providing appropriate support, adaptations and interventions where needed. A full written report with recommendations is provided.
How much does it cost?
- Cognitive and learning disability assessment – £850 to £2,100, dependent on the components needed
Please see our costs explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cognitive assessment looks at strengths and difficulties across areas like verbal comprehension, non-verbal skills, working memory and processing speed. It’s a single component, often used as part of other assessment pathways. A learning disability assessment is a broader pathway that includes the cognitive assessment plus developmental history, questionnaires and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, to formally assess for intellectual or learning disability.
No – though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. A learning disability (or intellectual disability) affects overall cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviour across daily life. A learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) is a specific challenge with a particular area of learning, in someone whose overall cognitive abilities may be in the typical range.
The choice depends on age. Preschool and primary school children take the WPPSI; children take the WISC-V; young adults take the WAIS-IV. All are well-established Wechsler scales, widely used internationally.
The Vineland is a standardised assessment of adaptive behaviour – the practical, everyday skills needed to function in social, educational and home settings. It’s an important part of learning disability assessment because it provides information about real-life functioning alongside the cognitive scores.
Every assessment includes a feedback appointment with the consultant, senior clinician or specialist clinical psychologist to discuss the findings. You’ll also receive a full written report with personalised recommendations for support, adaptations and interventions.
Related Services
- Initial Assessments – the consultant-led first appointment that all our assessment pathways begin with
- Dyslexia Assessment – often relevant alongside cognitive assessment
- Educational Difficulties and SEN – see all our educational assessment options
- Support Packages – including bridging support and tutoring
- Costs Explained – what’s included in our pricing and why