**Please Note**
Bookings are currently closed.
I specialise in intervention-orientated cognitive and learning assessments designed to understand how a child learns, why they may be struggling and what we can do to support them. As well as looking at what the child does during the assessment, I look at how he/she does it. I combine this information with information from the child, their parents and their teachers to provide a holistic picture of the child’s learning ability. I use the assessment test as one tool among many to decide how best to support the child or young person.
What is Involved?
The assessment includes:
- Review of existing reports
- Review of parent and teacher questionnaires
- Parent and child interviews
- Cognitive assessment (problem solving, visual skills, verbal skills, working memory and processing speed)
- Attainment testing (academic skills such as reading, spelling, maths)
- Evaluation of phonological awareness skills (when appropriate)
Following the assessment, a detailed report containing recommendations for home and school will be provided. This report and information emerging from the assessment process will be discussed and explained during a virtual/telephone feedback session – a time for which will be arranged following the assessment.
Why might a child need an assessment?
An assessment is valuable for a child who is experiencing any kind of obstacle to learning. Maybe the child is struggling to keep up in class. Maybe they are having difficulty in a specific area such as reading or maths. Maybe the child does not want to go to school. Maybe their behaviour is posing a challenge at school. An assessment may uncover academic difficulties the child is experiencing which makes school challenging for them. Their behaviour or reluctance to go to school then becomes more understandable.
An assessment is helpful to pinpoint any needs which can be supported at school – either through school-based learning support or by accessing Reasonable Accommodations in Certificate Examinations (RACE). For students applying to Third Level, evidence of a diagnosis of Dyscalculia by a psychologist is required in order to apply for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme.
A comprehensive assessment, carried out by an experienced and qualified educational psychologist will lead to a better understanding of the child. Understanding then results in greater empathy for the child.
What are the possible outcomes?
As a result of this assessment, a child’s individual learning profile will be identified. The assessment will pinpoint areas of strength and need which can then inform teaching and support. Specific difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or general learning difficulties may be identified. Learning strengths such as giftedness/ high learning potential may also be identified. Whatever profile is uncovered leads to a better understanding of the child, and that can make a huge difference to the child’s well-being and to their learning.
I hope that the assessment will answer your questions and help you to understand the way your child learns. I would also hope that it will be empowering for the child as they will feel heard, and they will understand themselves and how they learn better.
Cost: €800
What if I have more concerns?
If you have a concern about your child’s attention and concentration skills and/or his/her social skills, screening for difficulties in these areas can be included in the assessment. Charges for the administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting of these tools are listed below. Please note that these tools are for screening purposes only – they identify if a difficulty warrants onward referral to a multidisciplinary team in a clinical setting. Please indicate on the referral form if you would like to add any of these tools to the assessment.
- Screening for Attention Difficulties: €75
- Screening for Social Difficulties: €75
