Psycho-Educational Assessment
Psycho-Educational Assessment
Identifying Learning Strengths and Challenges
A psycho-educational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive and academic skills designed to identify learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and general learning difficulties. This assessment provides detailed insights into a person’s intellectual abilities, literacy, and numeracy skills, helping parents, educators, and professionals develop effective support strategies.
This type of assessment is commonly used to support educational accommodations, such as Irish exemptions, assistive technology recommendations, and reasonable accommodations for state exams (e.g., reader, spelling and grammar waivers).
Psycho-Educational Assessment
Who Can Benefit From Psycho-Educational Assessment ?
Psycho-Educational Assessment can make a significant difference for:
Students struggling in school
who may have undiagnosed learning difficulties impacting their academic progress.
Individuals with suspected dyslexia, dyscalculia, or general learning difficulties
who need clarity on their cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses.
Students applying for exam accommodations
who require supporting documentation for additional support in secondary school or college.
Parents seeking tailored recommendations
to help their child succeed in school and at home.
What to Expect from a Psycho-Educational Assessment
Our Psycho-Educational Assessment process is designed to be thorough, clear, and supportive for both the individual and their family:
Pre-Assessment Information Gathering
We gather information from relevant sources, including home and school, to understand the individual’s challenges and strengths. This helps us identify key areas of concern and clarify what you are hoping to achieve from the assessment.
Assessment Session
Using standardized assessment tools, we evaluate cognitive abilities (IQ) and academic skills, including literacy and numeracy. This comprehensive evaluation helps identify learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or general learning difficulties.
Verbal Feedback
Once the assessment is complete, we provide parents with initial verbal feedback, summarizing key findings and addressing immediate questions.
Detailed Report
A comprehensive written report is sent, outlining the assessment results, detailed insights, and personalized recommendations tailored to the individual’s needs.
Common Questions About Psycho-Educational Assessment
How long does a psycho-educational assessment take?
The assessment typically takes about 2 hours, depending on the individual’s age and specific needs.
What types of tests are used in a psycho-educational assessment?
The specific tests used in a psycho-educational assessment depend on the individual’s age, needs, and the reason for referral. We carefully select assessments to ensure the most relevant and meaningful insights into cognitive and academic functioning. Commonly used tests include:
- WISC-IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition) – Evaluates cognitive abilities in children, including reasoning, memory, and problem-solving.
- WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition) – Measures intellectual skills in adults, assessing cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
- WJ-IV Cognitive (Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities – Fourth edition) – A comprehensive measure of cognitive processing, including working memory, processing speed, and executive functioning.
- WIAT-III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition) – Assesses literacy, numeracy, and written expression to evaluate academic achievement.
- WJ-IV Achievement (Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement – fourth edition) – Evaluates academic performance in reading, writing, and mathematics across all age groups.
These assessments provide a detailed analysis of cognitive and academic skills, helping to identify learning difficulties and inform appropriate support strategies for home and school.
How can this assessment help my child in school?
A psycho-educational assessment can:
- Provide clear guidance for teachers on how best to support your child’s learning.
- Support applications for exam accommodations (e.g., spelling waivers, or access to assistive technology).
- Help determine eligibility for learning support or resource teaching at school.
- Offer practical strategies to improve literacy, numeracy, and study skills.
Where does the assessment take place?
Assessments are carried out at our Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W office. Alternative locations may be arranged in certain circumstances.
When will I receive the report?
We aim to provide the detailed report within approximately 3 weeks after the assessment.
Will the report include recommendations for home and school?
Yes! Every report includes personalised recommendations for both home and school, whether a learning difficulty is identified or not.
Ready to Begin?
Empower yourself or your child with a clearer understanding of cognitive strengths, challenges, or exceptional talents. Take the first step today.
Schedule Your Assessment Now