SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES ASSESSMENTS
There are three common types of learning disorders, namely Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia.
Dyslexia Assessment
When most people think about Dyslexia, they think about reversing numbers and letters and difficulties with reading. But Dyslexia is far more than this. Most children who are diagnosed with Dyslexia report a number of other difficulties with spelling, writing, comprehension and memory.
Without proper diagnosis, children quite often become frustrated without the knowledge of why they are experiencing difficulties at school, have a lack interest in school and consequently are quite often mistaken for having behavioural difficulties.
Many teens and adults may have found ways to mask Dyslexia, often re-teaching themselves in ways that they can retain and re-use information presented to them. Over time, the focus becomes on developing compensatory strategies when they have to read, write and spell.
Benefits from undergoing a Dyslexia Assessment
Identify gaps in their reading skills and provide recommendations for specific areas of concern.
Many schools require a formal report in order for your child to be provided with extra accommodations at school, like additional time for test-taking or modifying how homework is delivered.
A cognitive assessment in conjunction with an educational assessment can assist in identifying the presence of a learning difficulty or disorder in children and help teachers make appropriate accommodations for students in the classroom. This information can be used to manage and minimise negative experiences at school such as poor academic results, school avoidance and low self-esteem.
It may help the child feel better about the difficulty, because they know it’s not “their fault”, but just how their brain is wired.
An assessment will assist in identifying children with an intellectual disability and assist with the application process for a Disability Pension.
The assessments usually give you a profile of your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses in things like phonemic awareness, visual-spatial skills, and more.
Dysgraphia Assessment
Dysgraphia is a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in written expression. Dysgraphia makes writing difficult, and children with dysgraphia often display troubles with spelling, handwriting, written expression, and clarity and accuracy of writing. They may also have difficulties with organising letters, words and numbers on a page with appropriate alignment.
Dysgraphia is commonly divided into two subtypes; motor-based and language-based:
- Children with motor-based dysgraphia experience difficulties with the mechanical aspects of handwriting (such as pencil control, pencil grip, pencil pressure and letter formation) which means they often find writing tiring and laborious.
- Language-based dysgraphia refers to difficulties associated with structuring and sequencing ideas in writing. These difficulties are often due to troubles with processing, whether it be trouble processing what the eyes see, or trouble making sense of what the ears hear. Students with language-based dysgraphia are able to verbally express themselves with clarity, but the content of their written work is often below the level expected for their age.
Dyscalculia Assessment
Children who present with Dyscalculia symptoms, experience difficulties with acquiring arithmetic skills. Dyscalculic learners may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers, and have problems learning number facts and procedures. Even if they produce a correct answer or use a correct method, they may do so mechanically and without confidence.
Benefits from undergoing a Dyscalculia Assessment
Interventions for Dyscalculia come with many benefits as they help to narrow the gap caused by challenges faced.
If Dyscalculia has been confirmed then targeted interventions help children and young people to use their strengths alongside additional strategies.
A cognitive assessment in conjunction with an educational assessment can assist in identifying the presence of a learning difficulty or disorder in children and help teachers make appropriate accommodations for students in the classroom. This information can be used to manage and minimise negative experiences at school such as poor academic results, school avoidance and low self-esteem.
Evidence-based interventions and strategies can lead to the improvement of numerical skills, including number meaning, perceptual and reasoning skills.
An assessment will assist in identifying children with an intellectual disability and assist with the application process for a Disability Pension.
Assessment Process
Step 1
Assessment is booked – Assessment can take place in the comfort of your own home or at our office in Rouse Hill. Testing can be conducted in one sitting and your child is given breaks when needed.
Step 2
Assessment itself takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Step 3
Gathering comprehensive background information through interviews with the child, parents and school teachers.
Step 4
The administration of standardised tests by trained psychologists.
Step 5
Report writing – the behavioural observations of your child during testing will be recorded, along with the results of the testing, and recommendations. This can take approximately 2 weeks.
Step 6
A feedback session (and provision of a report) to help explain findings, provide recommendations and opportunities to clarify information.
- Is there a difference between learning difficulties and learning disability?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found in a recent survey that half of all 15 to 19 year olds in Australia had such low literacy skills that they would not be able to meet the demands of a modern workplace. Although some of these students may have a learning disability, many don’t. They have not developed adequate skills due to a range of cumulative factors and are generally described as having learning difficulties. Children with learning difficulties underachieve academically for a wide range of reasons, including factors such as: sensory impairment (weaknesses in vision or hearing); severe behavioural, psychological or emotional issues; English as an additional language or dialect (EAL or EAD); high absenteeism; ineffective instruction; or, inadequate curricula. These children have the potential to achieve at age-appropriate levels once provided with programs that incorporate appropriate support and evidence-based instruction. Children with learning disabilities have unexpected and persistent difficulties in specific areas of academic achievement as a result of an underlying neurodevelopmental disorder. One of the defining features of a specific learning disability is that the difficulty continues to exist, despite appropriate instruction and intervention.
- When should an assessment be considered?
In the event that the child continues to struggle despite targeted intervention, an appropriate assessment should be considered. If the child appears to be experiencing language-related difficulties, then an assessment by a speech pathologist is recommended, whereas if the difficulties are specifically related to learning in a particular academic area, then an assessment by a psychologist, ideally with experience in the education field, should be sought. If the student is experiencing difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, an assessment by an occupational therapist may be beneficial.
- Can you cure a learning disability?
While there’s no cure for learning disorders, many strategies, interventions, and supports can help individuals manage their difficulties and succeed academically and in life. This includes evidence-based instruction and explicit teaching practices that are central to supporting the development of reading, writing, and mathematics skills.
What is the next step?
Give us a call for a FREE phone consultation and book an assessment.
Common
Questions
Do I need a referral for my child to be assessed?
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the cost of any type of assessment. However, if you have private health insurance which covers psychological services, you may be eligible for a rebate.
What does a typical assessment process involve?
Typically, an assessment involves a clinical interview with the parent, assessment with the child, review of relevant reports, interpretation and report writing and a parent feedback session. Following the session we are happy to liaise with relevant future professionals. The overall assessment has three main components: the parent interview, the testing session and the report as a form of feedback.
What type of assessment does my child need?
Please follow the link to learn more sydneypsychassessments.com.au/assessments/
What happens during an assessment?
- Our office will be in contact with you to discuss the assessment and start the process with ‘information gathering’. This may include emailing you forms to fill out before the assessment.
- The next step is a clinical interview with you and/or your child. Depending on circumstances, this may be completed before or on the day of the assessment.
- On the day of the assessment, you and your child will meet with your clinician to complete the assessments (tests).
- Then, your clinician will interpret the tests, look at all the information gathered and summarise this into a comprehensive report with recommendations. Please note this step does not happen on the day of assessment.
How long is your waitlist?
As we are predominantly an assessment practice, our wait times are significantly shorter than other providers. Currently, we aim to see you within 4 weeks.
Please call us to book a suitable day and time.
How long will it take to receive my report?
Once all information is received and test results are submitted, we require 2.5 weeks to complete your report.
When and where are the assessments conducted?
Assessments are usually conducted during the week in school hours, both during school terms and school holidays.
Typically, assessments are conducted at our office in Rouse Hill, although we do travel to schools, preschools and clients’ homes throughout Sydney for some assessments as well.
What to tell your child?
Parents are often concerned about what to tell their children before the assessment. As with most aspects of the assessment, it depends on the purpose of the assessment and the age of the child.
With older children over 7 or 8 years, there is no need for “white lies” and parents should have an upfront discussion about why they would like their child to be assessed.
With younger children, particularly around 3 – 4 years of age, parents may want to tell them that they will be doing some puzzles with a “puzzle teacher”. Try not to put too much emphasis on the testing process, the more relaxed the children on the day of the assessment, the more representative their results.
How much does an assessment cost?
We pride ourselves in offering affordable and competitive prices. All assessments are designed to meet the individual needs of clients. Assessments can range from approximately 1-5 hours and up to 5hrs. All assessments come with a report with recommendations and feedback.
Please call us on 0425 269 658 to discuss appointment times and pricing.