Our approach to the assessment and identification of dyslexia and other learning differences.
Are you concerned that your child is experiencing some difficulty with reading/spelling/writing/mathematics? Are you wondering if they have a learning disorder like dyslexia?
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In instances where the primary concern is learning-related, we recommend that you start with an educational assessment.
An educational assessment will provide you with:
a) an indication of the likelihood that your child has a specific learning disorder like dyslexia and its severity,
b) baseline data against which future growth can be measured,
c) a detailed overview of academic strengths (including giftedness) & weaknesses (i.e. areas needing to be targeted), and
d) a clear support plan moving forward e.g. recommendations regarding tutoring/therapy & school-based intervention, accommodations, assistive technology, resources for home and school, ILP/IEP goals, teacher PD and school selection.
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From here we will be able to determine what other assessments (if any) may be necessary and make the appropriate referrals to medical & allied health professionals (e.g. an assessment with: a Psychologist to investigate IQ/cognitive strengths & weaknesses; a Speech Pathologist to investigate Developmental Language Disorder - DLD; an Occupational Therapist to investigate Developmental Coordination Disorder - DCD; or a Paediatrician to investigate either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD).
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Given the high likelihood of co-occurring difficulties (common 'friends of dyslexia' include ADHD, DLD, DCD and anxiety/depression), we take a 'big picture' approach to assessment. In order to devise an appropriate support and intervention plan for a child, it is vital that we first understand the interplay between various aspects of their learning profile (e.g. the impact of ADHD on their responsiveness to intervention - or - the impact of poor working memory on their procedural knowledge in mathematics - or - the role that superior verbal reasoning is playing in masking their reading difficulties). Every child has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. It is for this reason that our educational assessments are comprehensive, and cover not only reading and spelling but also written expression, mathematics, oral language, executive function/attention, verbal and nonverbal reasoning, phonological processing and orthographic processing.
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Also setting us apart from other assessment services, our assessors all have first-hand experience in the delivery of evidence-based literacy and/or numeracy interventions (we are practising therapists with postgraduate qualifications in special education/Specific Learning Disorders). Similarly, as experienced teachers, we have an understanding of what does and doesn't work in a classroom setting. This unique insight means that we are well-positioned to provide advice and recommendations regarding therapy options, suitable supports & accommodations and inclusive teaching strategies.
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COST OF ASSESSMENT - $1,300
We are often asked why assessments are so expensive – perhaps because much of the work that goes into producing a quality assessment report happens behind the scenes. In the interests of making the process as transparent as possible, here is an overview of what goes into an average educational assessment:
> Respond to enquiry – brief discussion re. case history, assessment options, what’s involved in the assessment process etc.
> Book assessment sessions & send follow-up email
> Read and take notes on information provided in parent intake forms (including past assessment reports and school documentation)
> Assessment set-up e.g. purchasing tests & testing materials
> Testing sessions (approximately 2 x 2-hour sessions) + informal parent feedback
> Correct assessments & review student responses
> Collate and analyse testing data
> Liaise with relevant others (e.g. intervention teacher, psychologist, speech pathologist)
> Write report (a 20>30-page report can take hours to write)
> Formal parent feedback session
In total, the assessment process – from beginning to end – can take anywhere from 15-18 hours. When you add overheads into the equation (rent, insurance, professional learning etc.), then you can see that our rate is pretty reasonable!
In the end, we offer this service not because it is lucrative, but because we know that a quality assessment can change lives - it can help parents to understand their kids better, help teachers to support their students better and help young people to understand themselves better.