IDENTIFYING NEURODIVERSITY
The Assessment Process
What is an Educational Psychologist? Finding the right support for your family. An Educational Psychologist (EP) is a highly trained professional who supports the learning, emotional development and overall wellbeing of children and young people. They work at the intersection of psychology and education, aiming to create environments where children can thrive. EPs are more than assessors, they are collaborators who work with families, schools and other professionals to identify barriers to a child’s progress and develop practical, evidence based solutions.
When Do EPs Get Involved?
EPs are typically called upon when a child faces ongoing challenges in their educational journey. These may include learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD), behavioural issues, emotional regulation problems, anxiety or trouble with social interactions. They also frequently support children with complex neurodevelopmental profiles, including those on the autism spectrum, particularly those with demand avoidant profiles (PDA) and ADHD.
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Educational Psychologists conduct thorough, individualised assessments. This includes direct work with the child through structured tasks, informal interactions and standardised psychometric testing. They also gather insights through questionnaires completed by parents and school staff and by observing the child in their school environment. This multidisciplinary approach allows EPs to not only identify conditions like autism or learning disorders, but also understand how they uniquely affect each child. At The Ed Psych Practice, our approach is personalised and evidence based. Our highly qualified team of educational psychologists offers assessments to understand your child’s cognitive profile and identify their strengths and needs. These assessments, conducted with your child and informed by questionnaires from parents and teachers, enable our educational psychologists to diagnose potential learning difficulties and, more importantly, understand how these difficulties specifically manifest and impact your child’s everyday life. Following the assessment, the educational psychologist develops tailored, practical recommendations to support your child’s unique learning needs. Types of Support EPs Provide
EPs offer wide-ranging support tailored to individual child’s needs. They help diagnose learning difficulties and provide targeted interventions. Beyond academics they also address mental health concerns, support emotional resilience and advise on behaviour management. EPs also work with schools to design personalised support plans,