Assessment Skills - Understanding Unique Profiles

Do you ever assess clients whose cognitive results don’t quite “fit” a DSM diagnosis but still reveal clear areas of difficulty?
Are you unsure how to interpret profiles with low-average functioning, specific processing weaknesses, or uneven skill patterns?
Would you like to strengthen your confidence in identifying, describing, and supporting complex cognitive profiles that fall between categories?

Many clients present with cognitive profiles that don’t fit neatly into diagnostic boxes, yet still experience significant challenges impacting learning, functioning, and wellbeing. This intermediate training is designed for psychologists who deliver cognitive assessments and want to build deeper insight into non-diagnostic but clinically significant profiles — including low-average functioning, processing speed weaknesses, working memory deficits, and other specific cognitive vulnerabilities.

Delivered live via Zoom, this 4-hour training (12:00–16:00 AEDT) bridges theory and practice to help clinicians interpret and communicate complex cognitive results in ways that are nuanced, strengths-based, and functionally meaningful.

What You Will Learn

• How to recognise and describe cognitive profiles that fall outside traditional DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
• Practical frameworks for identifying and interpreting low-average functioning and specific cognitive deficits.
• How processing speed, working memory, and executive functioning differences influence daily functioning and learning outcomes.
• Approaches for formulating and reporting results to guide intervention, supports, and educational accommodations.
• Strategies to communicate nuanced findings to families, educators, and professionals using clear, neuro-affirming language.
• Case examples and interpretive tools to refine your clinical judgement and elevate assessment quality.

Event Details

📍 Delivery: Live via Zoom
🕒 Duration: 4 hours (12:00–16:00 AEDT)
🎥 Recording: A recording will be available to registrants after the event.

All registered participants will receive a recording of this webinar as well as resources following the event.

Presenter: Shannon Lopez is a Clinical Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor and Principal Clinical Psychologist at Spencer Health. She has a strong interest in child and adolescent therapy, autism and ADHD assessment, and is a neurodiversity-affirming practitioner dedicated to evidence-based, compassionate care. With years of experience supporting children, adolescents and families, Shannon brings practical, real-world insights to these sessions.

Recording, Privacy and Informed Consent

Please note that this event will be recorded. The recording will be shared with registered attendees for up to 14 days following the event, and may also be uploaded to the Spencer Health Institute website for access by health professionals.

Attendance at the live session is optional. Participants are welcome to have their cameras on or off; however, individuals are responsible for managing their own privacy, confidentiality and professional boundaries while attending live. We encourage you to consider your environment and level of comfort when deciding how you participate.

By choosing to attend the live session, you are providing informed consent to be included in the recording. If you prefer not to be recorded, you are welcome to register and access the recording afterward rather than attending live.