Psychology study
General cognitive ability predicts a broad spectrum of clinical outcomes, behaviour and performances.
Kidney disease may have a significant impact on children’s learning, concentration, memory and academic skill development. The psychology study will identify risk factors and intervention strategies to improve the neurocognitive functioning in children with kidney disease.
The study involves an annual session with a qualified psychologist, where the child will complete a neurocognitive assessment that evaluates intellectual, attention, memory, language, and executive development.
The assessment takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete and will involves your child answering a series of questions, problem solving activities and completing puzzles.
The aim of the assessments is to determine their level of intellectual functioning, memory and attention skills and academic performance. These tests are regularly used in research and clinical practice and the results are compared against children in the wider community of the same age and gender.
One completion of each assessment, the families will be provided with a written summary of their child’s outcomes. Details of their cognitive strengths and weaknesses will be included, as well as strategies for developing in areas identified as a weakness. The results, with your permission, can also be available in your child’s medical record.
To assess how your child’s wellbeing changes over time, these assessments will be completed yearly, for up to five years.
Who can be involved?
Children over 6 years of age, who understand and speak English, and do not have a severe visual or hearing impairment that would prevent you from being able to complete the activities.
Where will the assessments be conducted?
The psychological assessment will be conducted at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, the Lady Cliento Children’s Hosptial Brisbane, the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and the Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland.