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As an Educational Psychologist, I offer a range of services. Throughout my assessments, I try my best to ensure the child or young person being assessed feels relaxed and comfortable.

As a parent or carer, you may have been told that you need an Educational Psychology assessment for your child – or know that you need one, perhaps for an EHCP application.

Educational Psychologists are in high demand at the moment. I mainly work in Gloucestershire and, like many of my colleagues, have a very long waiting list.

Types of assessment

From tests of thinking skills to behavioural assessments… the type of assessment required will depend upon the purpose for which it is needed. Please see here examples of the types of assessment that an EP can carry out.

Learning assessments:

• Consultative work with staff and/or parents (which may include an observation, work with the individual and gathering of background information), depending on the child/young person’s needs.
• Cognitive assessment and literacy skills. Ages six years – adult. Assesses language skills, non-verbal reasoning, working memory and processing speed. The assessment highlights learning strengths and difficulties and can be used to identify Specific Learning Difficulties (e.g. processing difficulties, dyslexia, or dyscalculia when carried out alongside a mathematics assessment). This assessment also includes an assessment of reading, spelling, and writing skills.
• Mathematics assessments and/or an investigation into the possibility of dyscalculia. This identifies a pupil’s knowledge of and gaps in numeracy concepts and number sense, as well as problem-solving skills and areas of visual perception.
• Review assessments. Carried out when the child has had a cognitive assessment in the past two years. Used to monitor progress in attainments or highlight further needs.

Measures of self-esteem, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties:

Carried out to understand thoughts, feelings and beliefs, and explore functions of behaviour. These assessments can be added to a full cognitive assessment, for an additional fee.

Or multiple scales can be carried out in an assessment with a focus on self-esteem and behaviour (without the full cognitive assessment). Fees are then on a consultative basis (i.e. charged per hour) and include my time in assessment, providing feedback, and writing a report.

Example of assessments available:

• Measures of self-esteem/self-confidence/self-image.
• Emotional and social strengths and difficulties, including resilience.
• Measures of anxiety, anger, and/or depression.
• Screening for Autistic Spectrum Disorder*(ASD), Attention Deficit /Hyperactive/ Disorder*(AD/H/D) and Sensory Processing* e.g. oversensitivity to sound, need for movement.

*These are medical diagnoses. If a formal diagnosis is desired, please refer to ‘Who to consult’.