Assessments
If you’ve ever wondered why things feel harder than they should, you’re in the right place. At The Thought Garden, we offer evidence-based, supportive psychological assessments that bring clarity, empowerment and self-acceptance.
Whether it’s ADHD, autism, learning differences or cognitive challenges, we make sense of what’s going on so you can stop second guessing and move forward. A diagnosis can reduce negative self-talk, help you access targeted support and create a stronger sense of confidence and self-compassion.
Autism Assessments
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people perceive, interact with and respond to the world around them. It influences communication, social interaction and behaviour and no two people experience it in the same way. That’s why it’s called a spectrum.
Intersectionality
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Common Signs
Signs might include difficulty with changes in routine, very strong interest areas, sensory sensitivities and challenges with play and social connection.
In adults and teens, it might also show up as burnout, feeling overwhelmed by social situations, or simply feeling “different” without knowing why. Autism can be particularly tricky to identify in girls and women because they often mask traits effectively and overcompensate to blend in.
Why get assessed for autism?
Some people are seeking clarity after years of feeling misunderstood. Others are noticing behaviours in their child that don’t quite fit the typical mould and are causing distress for their child and family. An autism assessment provides answers and, importantly, validation of your experiences. It provides the language to describe your experiences and access appropriate support.
Why does it matter?
When autism is left unidentified, people can internalise the belief that they’re “difficult”, “too sensitive”, “too different” or just not trying hard enough. That can affect self-esteem over time.
A diagnosis isn’t about putting a label on someone, it’s about opening doors to support, understanding and self-acceptance. At The Thought Garden, our autism assessments are gentle, supportive and designed around you. Because this process should feel empowering, not clinical.
ADHD Assessments
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, concentration, impulse control and activity levels.
There are three types:
- Predominantly Inattentive type: Symptoms may include trouble focusing and making a start on tasks, forgetfulness and difficulty with organisation and planning.
- Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive type: Symptoms may include restlessness, fidgeting, interrupting others, talking excessively and acting without thinking.
- Combined type: A mix of both.
Intersectionality
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Common Signs
In adults, it’s often missed and mislabelled as disorganisation, overwhelm, or even anxiety. Many adults don’t realise they have ADHD until their child is diagnosed or until overwhelm leads them to explore why things feel harder than they should.
Why get assessed for ADHD?
Why does it matter?
Left unrecognised, ADHD can chip away at confidence and affect school performance, work, relationships and mental health. A diagnosis can be the first step in understanding how your brain works and learning how to work with it, not against it.
At The Thought Garden, our ADHD assessments are compassionate and thorough.
Learning Assessments
A learning assessment explores how someone is performing in areas such as reading, spelling, writing, comprehension, maths and oral language. It can help identify whether a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) is present.
There are three main types of SLD:
- SLD with impairment in reading
- SLD with impairment in written expression
- SLD with impairment in mathematics
Learning disorders can also go by other names. Difficulty with reading and spelling is known as “dyslexia”. A maths-related learning disorder can be called “dyscalculia”. “Dysgraphia” is part of the broader category of learning disorders in writing.
SLDs can affect how individuals process information, making learning difficult.
Intersectionality
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Common Signs
Children may fall behind in class despite receiving learning intervention and trying hard. They may avoid homework, become easily frustrated or show low confidence in their abilities.
Adults might reflect on their schooling as a confusing, negative time or notice ongoing difficulties in written tasks, reading, or numeracy.
Why get assessed for a Learning Disorder?
You might suspect your child is struggling more than their peers or wonder why learning feels like such a battle. A learning assessment provides clarity and practical strategies for support.
Why does it matter?
When learning disorders go unrecognised, they can affect confidence, mental health and long-term opportunities. With a diagnosis comes understanding and with understanding comes the ability to advocate, access support and grow.
At The Thought Garden, we don’t just assess, we explain everything in a way that makes sense to parents, teachers and most importantly, to the person being assessed. So no one walks away feeling “less than”, just better understood.
Cognitive Assessments
A cognitive assessment is a deep dive into how someone thinks, learns, remembers and solves problems. Whether you’re looking to understand a child’s learning profile or investigate potential intellectual disability, this kind of assessment gives helpful insights.
Cognitive testing produces an IQ score, but we’re also interested in understanding the story behind the numbers. What are the strengths we can build on? Where might challenges lie? And what do those patterns mean for school, work or everyday life?
Intersectionality
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Why get a cognitive assessment?
Some parents notice their child is struggling to keep up or, conversely, finishing everything quickly. Adults may have always found certain tasks hard, or feel they’re being underestimated at work.
A cognitive assessment gives structure and language to those experiences. It’s not about placing limits through scores and statistics, it’s about unlocking understanding.
Why does it matter?
When someone’s cognitive profile goes unrecognised, they can end up frustrated, unsupported or misjudged. But with clarity, we can put the right support in place. These assessments are frequently used when investigating intellectual disability or determining the need for learning adjustments/extension.
At The Thought Garden, we make this process clear and validating. We’re not just measuring thinking, we’re helping you move forward with confidence, self-acceptance and a plan.
Ready to take the first step?
Let’s chat about your needs, explore your questions and create a clear, compassionate pathway forward. Whether you’re booking for yourself or someone you love, we’re here to make the process feel safe and supportive.