ADHD and other difficulties can impact learning
Dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties
may impact upon a child’s learning and may look
like attention or behaviour problems
Our Procedure
Explore our comprehensive assessment procedure by diving into the circle below. Each step of the journey is laid out, providing a clear roadmap for your understanding
Step 1
Book initial consultation
Book an initial virtual consultation with one of our child psychologists at a date and time that suits you
Step 2
Complete Online Questionnaires
We will send you some questionnaires to complete online about your child before your consultation
Step 3
School Staff Interviews and Questionnaires
With your consent, the psychologist will interview your child’s teacher over the phone and email questionnaires to be completed online. If appropriate, additional school staff, such as a learning support teacher or SNA, may also be interviewed
Step 4
Consultation with Psychologist
The psychologist will meet with you online to learn more about your child’s learning. The psychologist will ask about development, co-ordination and movement, as well as the learning history of the wider family. We will also ask regarding the current suspected difficulty and this will allow us program an individually tailored assessment using our digital system
Step 5
Comprehensive In-Person Testing
We will undertake in-person testing at our clinic in Dublin. The assessment will include exploring aspects of your child’s cognitive ability to identify areas of specific difficulty, executive functioning to explore how information is processed and then how all of this impacts academic performance
Step 6
Analysis and report
This part is for us. We will do an analysis of all of the information we collect and will look to understand any difficulties and identify them. We will have a solid understanding of individual strengths and challenges and can provide information around subjects which may or may not suit best, learning challenges which may require support or intervention, reasonable accommodations or access to schemes like DARE. We will put all of this in our comprehensive written report
Step 7
Feedback with Psychologist
The psychologist will meet with you virtually to give feedback on the assessment and provide you with a written report. We will advise you on any diagnosis made and steps to follow to secure the accommodations suggested
Initial consulation
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Initial consulation
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Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Initial consulation
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Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Initial consulation
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Initial consulation
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Wondering if your child needs an assessment? Here are some common signs that your child may benefit from an assessment:
Struggling Academically: If your child consistently struggles with reading, writing, math, or other academic subjects despite efforts to help them at home and support from teachers, it could be a sign that there are underlying learning difficulties.
Learning Difficulties: Difficulty grasping fundamental skills like phonics, spelling, or basic math concepts may suggest the need for an assessment to uncover specific learning challenges.
Behavioural Concerns: Persistent behavioural issues in the classroom, such as difficulty focusing, impulsivity, or disruptive behaviour, may indicate attention-related issues like ADHD or they could potentially stem from an undiagnosed specific learning difficulty.
Lack of Progress: If your child is not making expected academic progress despite interventions, accommodations, and extra help, it could be a sign that there are underlying learning difficulties.
Exams: Exams can highlight specific challenges where a student may perform well with ongoing assessments but struggles in an exam setting due to time pressure or other factors.
Types of Learning Difficulties
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects how the brain processes written information. It can make it challenging for children to read fluently, spell accurately, and sometimes even recognize words. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence and doesn’t reflect how smart a child is. It’s considered a specific learning difficulty because it primarily impacts reading and related skills, while other abilities may be unaffected. Dyslexia can vary widely among individuals, but with the right support and strategies, children with dyslexia can thrive academically and reach their full potential.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a child’s ability to understand and work with numbers and mathematical concepts. Children with dyscalculia may struggle with basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They may also find it challenging to grasp mathematical symbols and concepts, understand number relationships, and solve mathematical problems. Like dyslexia, dyscalculia is not related to intelligence and does not reflect a child’s overall cognitive abilities. It’s a specific area of difficulty that can make maths frustrating for children who otherwise perform well in other subjects.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a learning difficulty that affects a child’s ability to write coherently and accurately. Children with dysgraphia may struggle with handwriting, spelling, and organizing their thoughts on paper. They may find it difficult to express themselves in writing, often producing messy or illegible work despite having good ideas. Dysgraphia is not related to intelligence and does not reflect a child’s overall ability to think or reason. It’s specifically about the physical act of writing and coordinating the fine motor skills required for neat handwriting.
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a neurological condition that affects movement and coordination. Children with dyspraxia may struggle with activities that require motor skills, such as tying shoelaces, catching a ball, or using scissors. They may appear clumsy, have difficulty with balance, and find it challenging to plan and execute movements. Dyspraxia can also impact cognitive skills like organizing thoughts and processing information. Unlike dysgraphia, dyspraxia is broader in scope, affecting both fine and gross motor skills, as well as cognitive functions related to planning and executing actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What are reasonable accommodations (RACE)
Reasonable Accommodations for Certificate Examinations (RACE) are a number of supports designed for students who are at a disadvantage due to disability. Reasonable accommodations are designed to mitigate as far as possible the impact of disability upon students’ performance in exams. Some examples relating to specific learning difficulties might include a spelling and grammar waiver, assistive technology to help with reading, or reading support. Other accommodations relate to the location of the exam, with some students requiring a smaller classroom rather than a large exam hall. Each accommodation requires evidence of difficulty, which our assessments are sufficient in identifying.
Can the school provide my child with a psychoeducational assessment?
Once a diagnosis is made, a teacher who has completed additional training can complete a standardised attainment test, this will take the form of an educational review which can track your child’s progress. Teachers and resource teachers may also be able to make recommendations based upon the results of our assessments.
The identification and diagnosis of learning difficulties and the tools used in making these diagnosis are restricted for use only by psychologists. Psychologists receive extensive postgraduate training to allow them to accurately and thoroughly identify these learning issues
The Assessment
What does the assessment involve?
Typically, a comprehensive assessment of this nature will involve at least a 1-hour interview in advance, the completion of questionnaires by parents and teachers and approximately 120 minutes of in person testing. A 1-hour feedback session with parents is also offered where the findings are explained to you by the psychologist who completed the assessment.
Can this assessment be done online?
Yes, though it is not advised for younger children. It can be provided over the platform of Zoom, with some preparation in advance. We will typically only suggest this for students 16 years plus.
Can I stay and watch my child during the in-clinic testing?
Yes this can of course be facilitated, some older children may feel under pressure to perform with a parent present, so it is important to discuss with your child prior to the assessment and see how they feel. The assessment experience is enjoyable and the young person having a positive experience is a priority of ours.
Will the assessment report be accepted by DARE/RACE/School?
Yes, all of our psychologists have the appropriate qualifications and are chartered clinical, counselling or educational psychologists with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)