Cognitive Assessments

Cognitive assessments are standardized evaluations that measure how an individual thinks, learns, and processes information. They examine a range of mental abilities, including memory, attention, problem-solving, language, and reasoning skills. These assessments help identify areas of strength and difficulty, offering valuable insight into how a child, young person, or adult learns best. The goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of cognitive functioning, which can guide tailored educational plans, workplace support, or clinical interventions.

We’re with you every step of the way

How our Cognitive Assessments work

We collect data from multiple sources — parents, teachers, school records — and explore developmental, cognitive, and literacy history.

Step
1

Information-gathering

We collect relevant developmental, educational, and medical history, as well as insights from parents, teachers, or caregivers.
Please note: If there is a strong indication, we will invite you to progress to the next phase.

Step
2

Multi-disciplinary assessment

A series of validated cognitive tests are administered, covering areas such as memory, attention, problem-solving, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and processing speed.

Step
3

Diagnostic report

Results are carefully analyzed and summarized in a comprehensive report highlighting strengths, challenges, and tailored recommendations.

Step
4

Tailored support

A feedback session is held to review findings, answer questions, and create a personalized support plan for home, school, or workplace settings.

Understanding Cognitive Assessments

Cherishing Amazing minds

A cognitive assessment provides more than just test scores—it creates a profile of an individual’s unique abilities. By exploring skills such as verbal comprehension, working memory, visual-spatial reasoning, and processing speed, these assessments highlight learning patterns that might explain academic struggles, behavioral challenges, or developmental concerns. The results allow families, educators, and professionals to design strategies that foster growth, build confidence, and support long-term success.

Common Cognitive signs

You may be experiencing…

Cognitive difficulties can present in different ways depending on age, environment, and individual strengths. Some common signs that may indicate challenges with cognitive functioning include:

Difficulty paying attention or staying focused on tasks

Struggles with memory, such as forgetting instructions or recently learned information

Slow processing speed, taking longer than peers to complete tasks

Challenges with problem-solving, reasoning, or understanding abstract concepts

Real Life Stories

Explore inspiring real-life stories of resilience, growth, and empowerment shared by individuals navigating their journey with Autism and ADHD at Glowing Psychology.

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Our child thrived under the care of Glowing Psychology, receiving tailored interventions that truly made a difference in their development.

Sophia Lawrence

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With Glowing Psychology's guidance, I learned effective strategies to manage my ADHD symptoms, leading to increased productivity and confidence.

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Speak to us about our Cognitive Diagnostic Assessments today

If you have any queries about our Cognitive Diagnostic Assessments for adults or would like to discuss your requirements with us, complete the short form below and one of experienced, certified specialists will be in touch within 24 hours.

We're here to answer your questions

Taking the first steps to understanding why your child feels different, unhappy, or is struggling takes courage. We’re here to help you make sure you find the right support for your child and your family.

Do you charge for your services?

All the services we provide are charged for.
We operate as a not-for-profit independent organisation. This means you can always be assured that our fees are the lowest we can reach while maintaining the highest quality of assessment and support.
Please get in touch with the admin team for any specific queries about pricing.

Will my GP recognize the assessment and report?

Our assessments adhere to NICE guidelines, utilizing “gold standard” approaches conducted by fully accredited practitioners. However, GPs may have specific regulations for private assessments. We recommend checking directly with your GP to ensure compliance with their requirements. If there are specific needs, inform us, and we’ll assess our capability to fulfill them.

What is an observer, and is it necessary?

An observer is crucial for neurodevelopmental assessments at Glowing Psychology. They provide an account of your symptoms throughout life, enhancing the accuracy of the assessment. While a parent or guardian is the most beneficial observer, a family member or a long-term partner/friend can also serve this role. If having an observer is not possible, discuss options with our team, or consider seeking an assessment elsewhere, ideally within the NHS.

I use masking and coping mechanisms. Can I still be assessed?

Many adults and children with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions develop the ability to mask and have coping strategies to get through day to day life. Clinicians at Glowing Psychology are specialists in the field, and they are experienced in understanding the complexities of masking. Spend some time before the assessment thinking about how you mask and in which situations, and talking about these with your observer. Remember to consider what you were like at different times in your life such as childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. Share information about your masking and coping strategies during the assessment. Bringing notes about these aspects can be helpful in ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms and traits.

Can you guarantee a diagnosis?

No. Our clinicians can only provide a diagnosis if they believe you meet the diagnostic criteria. It would not be possible or ethical to guarantee a diagnosis. Complex histories or external factors may impact outcomes. We cannot refund fees based on diagnosis absence, as our service provides a rigorous UK best practice model assessment, not a specific diagnosis.

Is your team experienced in assessing and diagnosing women and non-binary people with Autism?

Yes. Our Adult Autism Assessment includes the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO), conducted by an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist which is an inclusive Autism assessment tool particularly useful for assessing Autism in women and non-binary people. This is followed by an assessment by a neurodevelopmental specialist psychiatrist to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.

Do you diagnose Pathological demand avoidance (PDA)?

While practitioners recognize PDA as part of Autism within the spectrum, it is not separately diagnosed by DSM-5 , ICD-10, or ICD-11. This means it can’t be diagnosed but it can be referred to as part of an Autism diagnosis if appropriate.

Can we apply for an EHCP using the assessment report?

Absolutely. Many patients use our assessment reports to access EHCP.

My child masks and has coping mechanisms. Can they still be assessed?

Yes, our clinicians are experienced in understanding masking complexities. Share information about how your child masks and their coping strategies during the assessment. Encourage your child to share how they feel with the clinicians. It is important that the clinicians have enough evidence to support a diagnosis, think about different settings that your child’s symptoms present in and share information with them.
The clinician’s must be able to evidence that the symptoms are present in a setting outside of home such as school, or an extra curricular activity. A professional in one of these settings will need to fill out pre-assessment questionnaires about your child’s symptoms and traits.

Can you prescribe medication for ADHD

No, we don’t prescribe medication for ADHD.

Cognitive Assessments