Educational Assessment in Adelaide

We offer several different types of educational assessments. Each type has a different aim and is conducted differently. Read on to learn about the types of educational assessments we offer, and how we can help to support your child’s learning.

Learning Difficulties Assessment

Educational Assessment or a Learning Difficulties Assessment is a useful thing to do if your child’s progress is not up to the standard of most other children. Usually, a problem with your child’s progress will be identified by a teacher. He or she will ask you to get an educational assessment done so that there can be an accurate and objective assessment of your child’s intelligence and the level of his or her achievement in literacy and numeracy at school.

There are many reasons children do not achieve at school. The problem could be low intelligence generally, or good intelligence but the existence of a problem such as dyslexia or another issue. The purpose of the assessment is to let you and your teacher know what the problem is and how to resolve or manage it.

You and your child will be expected to attend for three hours and during that time, psychologist Joanne Spadavecchia will talk to the parents, look at school reports if they are available, and ask the child to do a comprehensive range of testing in numeracy and literacy. She is experienced and quickly recognises the source of the problem.

The other purpose of the assessment is to have a written report. The report documents the findings of the assessment and goes back to the school to guide the teacher in managing the child’s learning. The report will identify how well the child is progressing, identify any diagnosis that applies and make recommendations for the teacher about how the child can learn best in the school environment. The report will be posted, usually by 10 days after the assessment is completed.

Gifted and Talented Children

Gifted and talented children may not be thriving at school, or may simply not be offered the challenges that they need to progress to their full potential. A Giftedness Assessment involves the administration of an accurate intelligence test. The testing session will be for approximately 2 hours, during which time the parent will be interviewed, the child’s intelligence tested and the results will be available. Also, the report will outline for the school the measures that could be taken to extend the child’s ability.

Early Entry

Early Entry Assessments involve testing of intelligence, in the same way as the Gifted and Talented Assessment. The assessment report will make recommendations about the suitability of the child to be granted early entry to school.

Tests Used in the Assessments

The tests that we use are those that are recognised across Australia, indeed across the world, as the gold standard tests for the measurement of intelligence and numeracy and literacy. Assessment takes time and just cannot be done accurately with tests that are quicker to administer.

Booking an Educational Assessment

If you would like to book an educational assessment at our Adelaide-based clinic, please feel free to request an appointment. If you would like more information, feel free to contact us via phone on (08) 8272 7885 or via email on admin@westbourneparkpsychology.com.au