EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

What does a psychological assessment entail?

A psychological assessment usually takes 2½ to 3 hours and includes various components. This can include a consultation with history-taking, the administration of psychometric tests, observations, and the completion of questionnaires and ratings scales. The psychometric tests administered (including the WISC-V and WIAT-III) are widely used across the education and health domains. The views of the child or young person also form a vital part of the assessment.

Psychological assessment is conducted for a range of purposes including diagnosis of developmental disorders and learning difficulties, providing advice and guidance about how to support the client’s needs, determining whether the client meets criteria to access support services, and making recommendations about access arrangements for examinations. It can also be helpful in gaining a better perspective for understanding the young person and their needs. Our psychologist has experience in assessing and reporting on a wide range of Special Educational Needs including general learning difficulties, specific learning difficulties in literacy (dyslexia) and numeracy (dyscalculia), ADHD, autism, dyspraxia/DCD, and speech & language difficulties. Assessments can also be carried out for ‘Access Arrangements’ for examinations.

Following the completion of the assessment, a comprehensive report is provided which includes recommendations and advice about how best to support the young person.