Learning Difficulties Assessment Brisbane: Unlocking Your Potential
What Are Learning Difficulties?
Learning difficulties, also known as Specific Learning Disorders, are persistent challenges in core academic skills like reading, writing, or maths. These are based on neurological differences likely to be present from birth, and are not a reflection of a person's intelligence or effort. Many individuals with learning difficulties are bright and hardworking, but find certain aspects of learning unusually challenging.
It's important to distinguish learning difficulties from intellectual disabilities. While both affect learning, specific learning difficulties can occur in individuals with average or above-average intellect who struggle in particular academic areas.
Intellectual disabilities, by contrast, involve broader limitations in both overall intellectual functioning and adaptive daily skills. Our assessments are designed to accurately identify which condition is present, guiding appropriate support.
These difficulties are often first identified at key transition points in life when academic demands increase. This could be when a child starts primary school, or later when starting high school, university, or even a new job with new learning demands.
Recognising the signs is the first step. Here are common indicators across different age groups:
Children and Teens
Persistent struggles with an area of academics such as reading (phonics, comprehension, fluency), spelling, handwriting, maths concepts, organisation, or following instructions. There might be difficulties achieving in subjects at the year level.
Adults
Ongoing challenges with reading speed or comprehension, clarity in written communication, numerical tasks, organisation, time management, or processing information efficiently in study or work environments.
Types of Learning Difficulties Assessed
Common Specific Learning Disorders include:
- Reading (i.e. Dyslexia): Difficulties with word reading accuracy, reading rate or fluency, and reading comprehension.
- Mathematics(Dyscalculia): Struggles with number sense, arithmetic facts, calculations, and maths reasoning.
- Written Expression: Challenges with written expression, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity and organisation of written expression.
Learning difficulties can also co-occur with other neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD or Autism. Our comprehensive assessments help identify these overlaps, ensuring a holistic understanding of an individual's unique profile including strengths and challenges.
Our Comprehensive Learning Difficulties Assessment Process
Our Comprehensive Learning Difficulties Assessment Process
We offer a clear and supportive process to understand your or your child's or your own learning profile. Here's how it works:
1. Initial Call
When you first call the practice, one of our assessment booking team will speak to you and find out your assessment needs and background details so that we can provide advice as to what type of assessment might be most appropriate for you.
They will also determine the right team member to conduct the assessment and provide availability options. If there is uncertainty about what type of assessment might suit you best, we may suggest a 1 hour session with one of our psychologists to conduct a formal assessment of your needs.
2. Background Information Gathering
To get a full picture, we'll ask for relevant documents, like school reports, other allied health assessment reports, personalised learning plans, and to complete our social history questionnaire.
3. Psychological Interview
We will conduct an interview with the person being assessed and include their parent or family member if relevant. For young children we might conduct the interview with parents on their own.
4. Intellectual Assessment
This stage involves a series of tests designed to understand general intellectual ability including the following types of skills:
- Verbal Comprehension: Understanding and reasoning with verbal information.
- Visual-Spatial Skills: Ability to reason with visual patterns and relationships.
- Working Memory: How well information is held and manipulated in the mind.
- Processing Speed: How quickly and accurately basic information is processed.
- Fluid Reasoning: The ability to solve new problems and adapt to new situations.
5. Learning and Academic Skills Assessment
Here, we evaluate specific academic abilities to identify strengths and areas needing support. The exact tests administered will depend on the referral question but may include some of the following areas:
- Reading: word reading, reading comprehension, fluency, and word decoding.
- Writing: spelling, sentence and essay composition, and fluency.
- Mathematics: maths problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and maths fluency.
6. Potential Additional Questionnaires
Sometimes, we'll use extra questionnaires to gain deeper insights into areas like attention or emotional well-being.
7. Detailed Report and Recommendations
Following the assessments you will receive a comprehensive report with findings and tailored recommendations. Reports are tailored to the individual and can include some of the following areas:
- Any diagnosis if appropriate
- School, academic, or workplace accommodations
- Learning and cognitive strategies for the individual
- Behavioural and emotional Strategies
- Parenting Guidance
- Referrals and resources, including any recommendations of psychological or other allied health support.
8. Feedback Session
A feedback session is highly recommended. Our psychologist will explain the report and recommendations, giving you a chance to ask questions.
Who Can Benefit from a Learning Difficulties Assessment?
- Children (6+): Parents noticing struggles in school.
- Teens: Facing increased academic pressure, difficulty with organisation, poor exam performance despite studying.
- Adults: Experiencing challenges in further education, workplace difficulties, or a long-standing feeling that "something isn't quite right" with their learning.
- Parents: Seeking to understand and support their child's learning needs effectively.
What Our Assessment Identifies
Our comprehensive assessment provides a clear and holistic understanding of you or your child's learning profile, pinpointing:
- Cognitive strengths and differences
- Academic abilities
- Understanding factors that might be playing part in difficulties with learning, including whether a diagnosis is relevant, and whether there are other factors, such as emotional functioning or another neurodevelopmental presentation that might be playing a role.
- Recommendations for strategies and support.
Why Choose Hardwick Psychological Services for ADHD Assessment?
Experienced Team
Our team includes neuropsychologists, educational and developmental registrar psychologists and clinical psychologists. We are all trained to masters or doctorate level.
Strengths-Based Approach
We identify not only learning challenges but also unique strengths and preferred learning styles, building confidence and effective strategies.
Tailored Solutions
We provide personalised insights and recommendations, as we believe in a custom approach, not one-size-fits-all.
Caring & Collaborative Environment
Our philosophy is non-judgemental and supportive, providing a welcoming and comfortable setting throughout your assessment journey.
Convenient Ashgrove Location
Easily accessible for clients across Brisbane and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Learning Difficulties Assessments in Brisbane
What is a learning difficulties assessment?
A learning difficulties assessment, also known as a psychoeducational assessment, evaluates an individual's cognitive strengths and weaknesses and academic skills. It helps identify if a Specific Learning Disorder is present and provides tailored recommendations for support.
Who needs a learning difficulties assessment?
Anyone experiencing ongoing struggles with learning, reading, writing, or maths, despite consistent effort, could benefit. This includes children (typically from age 6+), teenagers, and adults who face academic or workplace challenges due to learning-related issues.
What types of learning difficulties are assessed?
The exact tests that are used will depend on the history of the preventing difficulties, but might cover a range of skills including intellectual skills, reading fluency, numerical skills, numerical problem solving, writing skills including spelling and organisation of writing.
Could it be something else?
Our experienced psychologists will be assessing to determine if the diagnostic criteria for a learning disorder are met, and will also consider whether another diagnosis might be more appropriate, such as another neurodevelopmental or mental health condition.
The psychologist will discuss this with you and let you know if any further testing is needed to explore other potential diagnoses.
Are learning difficulties a lifelong challenge?
Yes, specific learning difficulties are considered a brain difference. While they are lifelong, the impact they have can change and evolve as you develop new strategies, gain support, and as your environment and life circumstances change.
Our assessments help you learn to navigate these differences effectively.
Can you communicate directly with my child's school or provide a report for them?
Yes, with your consent, we can communicate directly with the school to discuss the assessment findings and recommendations. You can also provide a copy of the report to the school to ensure they have the necessary information to implement appropriate support and accommodations for your child.
Are learning difficulties assessments covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
Generally, cognitive testing is not covered by Medicare.
Some private health insurance funds may offer rebates, so we advise checking directly with your insurer.
How do I book an assessment?
New enquiries for learning difficulties assessments are best made via our online enquiry form on our website. You can also call us at (07) 3515 0172 or email hello@hardwickpsychology.com.au.