Child Psychology Assessments

How can a psychology assessment help?

If your child is 6 or over and they are struggling academically, low on confidence or are anxious in relation to learning then we will help to find a positive way forward.

A formal Educational/Cognitive Psychological assessment of your child’s underlying abilities, literacy and numeracy skills can establish learning strengths and weaknesses so that your child can grow in confidence and fulfil their potential.

Our reports can be used as evidence for an EHCP application and access arrangements at school (e.g. extra time in exams).

What can an assessment diagnose?

Our psychology assessments can diagnose a range of specific learning difficulties including:

• dyslexia
• dyspraxia
• ADHD
• dyscalculia
• dysgraphia

A diagnosis will only be given where the clinician thinks this appropriate based on the assessment evidence.

Does the school need to be involved?

Ideally, yes. With your consent, we ask the school to complete a background questionnaire. In some cases, an assessment can be completed without school involvement.

What does an assessment involve?

We’ll ask you to complete a questionnaire to review background history and we’ll talk with you to get a better understanding of your child’s academic, social and emotional strengths and concerns.

We’ll then conduct an age-appropriate diagnostic interview where we’ll test:

• intellectual ability
• literacy and numeracy levels
• working memory
• processing speed

During the interview, we make sure we take into consideration any attentional, social communication and mental health needs.

An assessment usually takes 2-3 hours with a short break.

Do parents/carers stay throughout the assessment?

No – typically the parent joins for the introduction before staying nearby within St. Albans town centre.

For children with anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other difficulties it may be possible for the parent to remain present.

After the assessment

Within 1 – 3 weeks you’ll receive a detailed written report containing recommendations for future educational provision and reasonable adjustments with work and study.

We’ll also schedule a video consultation call to feedback the findings of the assessment. It is possible for the child to on part of the feedback session.

Will my child’s school accept the report?

Schools cannot refuse to accept a report by a qualified professional and should try to implement any recommendations made in the report in line with their SEN policy, although the resources at the school can be a limiting factor.

Requesting access arrangements

Schools can accept reports from external assessors if they have established a ‘working relationship’ with them before the assessment takes place. We do this by asking the school to complete a background questionnaire prior to the appointment.

Many schools have their own internal processes in place for assessing children and young people for access arrangements.

Whilst we can recommend access arrangements, the school will always make the final decision on whether there is sufficient evidence that the child or young person requires the suggested recommendations in line with JCQ (or equivalent) guidelines.

Please bear in mind that we cannot say before the assessment whether the child or young person will be eligible for access arrangements.

EHCP applications

You can submit the report with your Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) application. Local Authorities cannot refuse to consider a report from a qualified professional but we cannot say before the assessment the findings will support an EHCP application, or influence how the Local Authority will act on the recommendations.