What is the assessment process?
The team at the Literacy and Learning Centre understand that seeking an assessment for your child can be an overwhelming experience. They are here to provide their expertise and support to make sure you are confident and comfortable with every stage of the process.
Step 1: Consultation
An initial consultation by parents with one of our experienced Psychologists is an important part of the assessment process.
- This consultation allows parents to discuss concerns they have about their child’s reading, spelling, learning, behaviour or development.
- The initial consultation helps to clarify the reason for the assessment and to ensure that the most appropriate tests are conducted.
- A consultation is particularly important if a child presents with a complex history of problems, has previously seen several different professionals (eg, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Paediatrician etc), there are concerns about a child’s behaviour, anxiety, or emotional regulation difficulties, or where parents want an opportunity to openly discuss concerns about their child’s development and learning with the Psychologist to determine the best way to help their child.
- Identifying and addressing all factors impacting on a child’s learning is important in ensuring that best outcomes of any remediation or tutoring that may follow the assessment.
Step 2: Assessment
A range of assessments is available at the Literacy and Learning Centre to explore a variety of concerns about your child’s learning.
Academic / Educational Testing
Standardised tests in reading, spelling, writing, and mathematics can help determine how your child is doing relative to their peers of the same age or grade. Additional testing can additionally provide more detailed information on academic skills which can be used by teachers or tutors to develop a remediation program. These tests can include the assessment of phonological awareness, letter-sound knowledge, reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension, spelling, written expression, or other various standardised and non-standardised literacy tests.
Cognitive / Psychometric / IQ Assessment
A cognitive assessment can provide parents and teachers with insight into a child’s overall levels of cognitive ability, verbal and non-verbal thinking capability, working memory, and processing speed. Moreover, such testing can help to determine a student’s academic potential, their unique learning style, and what special strengths and weaknesses they possess. In some cases, these tests can even be relevant in diagnosing issues like learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Psycho-Educational Testing
This involves administration of both cognitive testing and academic testing, and provides the most comprehensive picture of your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses.
Specific Learning Difficulties Assessment – dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia
Diagnostic assessment of a range of specific learning difficulties including dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (spelling and writing), and dyscalculia (maths) are available at the Centre. Our Clinical Psychologist Sandra Graudins, is a professional allied member of the Australian Dyslexia Association (ADA) and her team of Psychologists are trained to identify dyslexia and other specific learning disorders. Dyslexia assessment can be completed with children, adolescents, and adults.
Assessment of ADHD / ADD
While there is no single test that diagnoses ADHD / ADD, a developmental history establishes whether there has been a pattern of concerns or behaviours that is consistent with an ADHD diagnosis or if other factors (eg, anxiety, learning difficulties, language delay etc) better explain these problems. Behaviour rating scales are also completed by parents and teachers as part of this assessment. An assessment of cognitive function can also be completed if necessary. Together this information provides important diagnostic information that can be useful for developing strategies to support your child.
Autism Assessments
Following the initial consultation, your child’s autism assessment will be individualised according to their developmental history and needs. An assessment typically includes a structured interview with parents/caregivers (ADIR), an session with your child using a structured series of activities that examine the development of sensory, social and communication skills, completing of behaviour ratings scales. An assessment of your child’s cognitive functioning may form part of the assessment if appropriate.
Gifted and Talented Assessments
A child is identified as ‘gifted’ through psychometric assessment. Such assessment includes administration of tests such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fifth Edition, which provides parents with an indication of thinking and reasoning skills.
Other assessments
Individually tailored assessments are are available depending on the concerns you have about your child. These include:
- Assessment of developmental disorders such as developmental delay;
- School readiness assessments;
- Special provisions assessments for high school, college, and university;
- Adult learning difficulties and dyslexia testing.
What happens after an assessment?
A feedback session is arranged where assessment results and recommendations are discussed with parents. Having a detailed understanding about your child’s strengths and weaknesses can help parents and teachers to make informed decisions about what is appropriate support for their child’s learning and to better advocate for their child at school. A written report is also provided with detailed recommendations for support. Arrangements can also be made to consult with schools or other professionals to provide an integrated approach to support.
Click here to find out more about assessments or to book an appointment