A psycho-educational assessment is much broader than the standardised tests given in the classroom. Attainment tests in reading, writing, spelling and maths are included, but there are also measures of abilities (both verbal and non-verbal) and diagnostic tests in areas such as phonological processing, visual-motor skills and behaviour ratings.

We will work with your child or young person on a one-to-one basis and look at the whole individual and their history. The aim is to find out how that individual learns, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and if there are any Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) affecting the acquisition and processing of information in school. At the end of the assessment, we provide a full written report of our findings and recommendations.

Before the report is finalised, we will discuss with the parents and/or student the tests, scoring and implications for the individual, and also the rationale behind the assessment process.

The assessment findings subsequently guide parents and teaching professionals on how to provide your child or young person with the tools they need to fulfil their potential. For example, the use of a laptop can help a student identified with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) structure their ideas more effectively and better demonstrate what is in their head. Sometimes, adjustments may also be made or your child in tests and exams at school, such as extra time and/or a reader.

A psycho-educational assessment is a first step towards understanding a child or young person more fully and therefore providing that individual with the support that is needed so that they can fulfill their potential.