Assessment of intellectual functioning is undertaken using standardized tests which measure ability across a number of domains, such as verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning. Scores are compared against the average population and plotted across a bell curve. Understanding an individuals’ level of intellectual functioning can be an important consideration in designing educational or vocational programs as well as identifying a persons relative strengths. Assessment can also identify extremes of giftedness and Intellectual Development Disorder

These are a means of classifying the multitude of things that can go wrong with psychological functioning.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5^th Ed (2013) provides the standard system of classification. Although there is no value in a label in and of itself, a diagnosis can assist by understanding what to exclude as well as informing the treatment modality most efficacious for that type of problem.

The patterns with which we perceive and respond emotionally and behaviourally to the world and each other, is what makes up our personality. There have been many different ways proposed to define and categorize these dimensions, and none of these systems are perfect due to the wonderful diversity in personalities that we see around us.  However, developing an insight into how we operate can reveal our strengths and weaknesses, providing us with targets to change or improve the way we operate in the world. When there are problems with personality, it can lead to distress and impairment socially, interpersonally, occupationally and in our general sense of well being. Although there is a common misperception that personality is unchangeable – “I am what I am”, the truth is that people do change in these features as they move through the life span. In addition, there are treatments available that assist people to target problematic aspects of functioning and improve upon them. Assessment can help look beyond the confusion to identify the source of problems and plan a treatment strategy built around the persons’ strengths.

Childrens’ behaviour can be as frustrating, eccentric and incomprehensible as it is adorable, and it is important to note that most parents or carers entertain concerns about aspects of their child’s behavior at some time or another. A formal assessment can help to understand whether the behavior of concern resides with the range of normality or represents a problem requiring intervention and remedial efforts.  Whether the behavior meets diagnostic criteria or not, the good news is that there are a range of effective behavioural interventions that as accepted as effective in the treatment of most childhood behavior disorders.