Educational psychologist assessments for children and young people (6 years+)
Dr Aimee Swithenbank works in partnership with families to provide in-depth educational psychologist assessments of children’s learning needs and barriers to their education.
When a child is struggling or not reaching their potential in school it can be difficult to know what may be causing the presenting issues and how best to help. An assessment pinpoints the underlying learning needs, highlights the child's strengths, and establishes what support they need to make progress in their learning and education.
Assessments are holistic and can cover the range of factors that can impact on learning. Areas within the scope on an EP assessment include:
-
dyslexia, reading and spelling
-
dysgraphia and writing
-
dyscalculia and maths
-
working memory and processing speed
-
attention/executive functions
-
cognitive abilities
-
language and understanding
-
general and specific learning difficulties
-
social communication
-
emotional factors affecting learning (e.g., low self-esteem and high anxiety)
Where appropriate, we can can formally diagnose specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia).
If signs of ADHD or ASC are observed, we can provide practical strategies to support these needs in school, but a formal diagnosis requires a referral to a multi-disciplinary team for a neurodevelopmental assessment. (We can advise you on how to do this and sign post you to relevant services).
How we work and what to expect
-
Before the assessment, we ask parents and school to complete background questionnaires. This helps us to plan an assessment that is tailored to the child and addresses the presenting concerns.
-
The assessment typically involves standardised tests of academic and cognitive ability, as well as any other standardised tests or informal activities deemed appropriate for addressing the presenting concerns. We will also talk to your child about their views on school, their strengths and current difficulties. The assessment can take 2-2.5 hours, although times vary and the pace is set by the child. We can accommodate a range of needs, and children can break as many times as needed.
-
Immediately after the assessment we hold a meeting with parents to discuss the findings. For remote assessments, the meeting will be held online about a week later, once we have received the exam papers.
-
Within three weeks of the assessment we send a written psychological report. The report details the assessment findings, pinpoints the underlying learning needs, highlights the child's strengths, and provides recommendations/support strategies for parents and school to implement. Where appropriate, it will also confirm the presence/absence of a specific learning difficulty.
Our Clinic
Our clinic is located in the residential area of New Town, Colchester (Essex).
For clients travelling by car, we have free parking outside.
For clients travelling by rail, the nearest train stations are Colchester Main Line or Colchester Town.
Contact Us
contact@swithenbankpsychology.co.uk
In your email please include your name, the age of the person to be assessed, a brief outline of your concerns and the type of work you are interested in.
Parent
"I experienced a very professional and compassionate approach by Aimee to the assessment of my son. She gave a helpful feedback session and comprehensive report which we were able to share with the school. I would recommend Aimee to any parents who are seeking an assessment to understand and support their child’s needs within an education setting."
Parent
"Honestly I couldn’t be happier with the service provided. Professional from start to end, the whole process felt easy and most importantly my son was comfortable and at ease. The report was very thorough and helped myself and others understand his way of learning. I would definitely recommend your services and just wish I had done it sooner."
Parent
"Very knowledgeable assessment carried out. Was very happy to leave my child for the assessment. Excellent feedback and detailed report."