The Difference Between the Assessments We Offer at Ivy Psychology

ADHD, autism, cognitive, and learning assessments all sound similar from the outside, but they answer different questions and involve different tools. Here is a plain-language guide to which assessment does what, so you can work out which one you actually need.

When you start looking into assessments, the terms can blur together. ADHD assessment, autism assessment, cognitive assessment, educational assessment, psychoeducational assessment: from the outside they sound like variations on the same thing. They are not. Each one answers a different question, uses different tools, and leads to a different kind of recommendation. Choosing the right one matters, because the wrong assessment will not answer the question you actually have.

This post is a plain-language guide to the assessments we offer, what each is for, and how to work out which one fits your situation. If you are not sure after reading it, that is completely normal, and it is exactly what our intake conversation is for.

Not sure which assessment you need?That is one of the most common things people ask us. A quick conversation usually makes it clear. Speak with our team

ADHD Assessment

An ADHD assessment looks at attention, impulse control, and executive functioning, which is the brain's system for planning, organising, starting tasks, and following through. It is the right assessment when the central concern is difficulty sustaining attention, restlessness or impulsivity, disorganisation, or trouble getting started and seeing things through, and when these patterns show up across more than one setting.

The process draws on detailed history, rating scales completed by the person and by people who know them well, and, where helpful, cognitive testing. For children, information from school is central. The outcome tells you whether ADHD is present, which presentation it is, and what supports will help at home, at school or work, and in daily life.

Autism Assessment

An autism assessment looks at communication, social interaction, sensory processing, routines, and interests. It is the right assessment when the central questions are about how a person relates to others, experiences sensory environments, handles change, or has done so since early development.

It relies heavily on direct observation and structured, autism-specific tools, alongside history and information from others. Because observation is so central, format matters: for high school aged individuals and above this can often be done via telehealth, while children are assessed in person. The outcome describes a person's autistic profile, their strengths and challenges, and tailored recommendations.

Where ADHD and Autism Overlap

ADHD and autism co-occur far more often than people expect, and they can look similar on the surface. This is why a good clinician keeps the whole picture in view rather than assessing for one in isolation. Sometimes an assessment that began with one question ends up identifying both, or neither, and instead points to anxiety, trauma, or something else. That breadth is a feature of a thorough assessment, not a complication.

Combined Autism and ADHD Assessment

Because autism and ADHD overlap and frequently co-occur, some people choose a combined assessment that considers both at the same time, rather than booking two separate processes. A combined autism and ADHD assessment brings together the history, observation, and standardised tools for each, so the psychologist can consider how the two interact and distinguish which traits belong to which. For some people this can mean less repetition than assessing one and then returning for the other, though whether it is the right approach depends on the individual. If you are unsure whether the picture is autism, ADHD, or both, your psychologist can talk through whether a combined assessment suits your situation.

Ready to get started?One referral form covers self-referrers, families, GPs, and support coordinators. We will match you with the right assessment. Start a referral

Cognitive Assessment

A cognitive assessment measures intellectual functioning, including reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. It is the right assessment when the question is about overall cognitive ability, whether that is exploring a possible intellectual disability, identifying giftedness, understanding cognitive change, or providing a baseline that other assessments build on.

Cognitive testing uses well-established standardised tools and is conducted in person so that results are valid. It often forms part of a larger assessment rather than standing alone, because cognitive ability is the backdrop against which learning and attention difficulties are understood.

Educational (Psychoeducational) Assessment

An educational assessment, sometimes called a psychoeducational assessment, looks specifically at learning. It is the right assessment when a child is struggling with reading, writing, or mathematics in a way that does not match their effort or ability, and when a specific learning disorder such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia is a possibility.

It pairs cognitive testing with academic achievement testing, so the psychologist can see whether a particular learning skill is genuinely out of step with overall ability. The outcome is a detailed map of how a child learns, what is getting in the way, and the specific adjustments that will help at school and at home.

How to Work Out Which One You Need

A useful starting point is to name the core concern in plain words. If it is mainly about focus and follow-through, ADHD assessment is the likely fit. If it is mainly about social communication, sensory experiences, and routines, an autism assessment fits. If it is about overall thinking ability, a cognitive assessment is the right tool. If it is about a specific struggle with reading, writing, or maths, an educational assessment is what you are after.

In practice, the lines are not always clean, and that is fine. Part of our intake process is helping you translate what you are noticing into the right assessment, or recommending a broader assessment when the picture calls for it. You do not have to diagnose the question yourself before you reach out.

Whichever assessment is right, the shape of the experience is similar: intake, history, testing or observation, careful analysis, and a feedback session with a written report. Every assessment ends with practical, personalised recommendations, and these are talked through with you in the feedback session, so you leave understanding not just the findings but what to do next. The difference lies in what each one is looking at, and in the door each one opens to the right support.

Let's find the right assessment togetherTell us what you are noticing and we will help you work out which assessment fits, and what it involves. Get in touch