Assessments & testing process

Every child is different

How can we help your child?

• By Talking to the child, family and the school (with parents’ consent) to find out more about your child’s learning and/or behavioural needs
  
• By Watching or observing your child in the assessment setting and interpreting this information so we can suggest proven strategies and skills to assist their strengths and difficulties
  
• By Doing assessments which are one way of gaining useful specific information about a child’s learning difficulties, giftedness, social and/or behavioural needs. We work as comprehensively and holistically as possible.

Parent Interviews are a combination of face-to-to-face, telephone and emailed Case History forms. It is important to gather accurate and relevant developmental, medical, family and social information to assist in ‘painting the picture’ about your child in order to provide practical and specific support for your child at home and school.

Information Gathering may take the form of a questionnaire to gather information about programs and interventions that your child has been involved in. Parents may prefer not to engage the school in any phase of the Assessment process.

Assessment Sessions. Most of the assessments are conducted at the offices in Morningside Drive, see our location on the map. Arrangements will be discussed at the time of the initial consultation. Usually two sessions of about are two hours duration are needed for an Cognitive and Educational assessment, this is age related; if we see your child is tired, we may arrange more sessions. A short break is taken mid-way through each session.

Reporting Back A brief verbal feedback will be given at the time of the assessment.  If necessary an extra booking can be made to discuss the report in more depth. The report will include the assessments used, the results how this was interpreted and the recommendations given to support your child at home and school. Sometimes a referral may be made to another agency e.g. Speech Language Therapist, Optometrist and reporting back to the school and/or attendance at an Individual Education Plan (IEP) can also be arranged (for an extra fee). Practical resources such as Visuals e.g. Social Stories and Schedules using the Boardmaker programme can also be provided.

What happens to the information?

All information and subsequent reports are treated with privacy and confidence. Psychologists are bound by the Psychologist's Code of Ethics which includes a strict commitment to client confidence. Reports are only disclosed to additional parties with prior consent from the parent/caregiver.