Dyslexia Assessment (Child to Adolescent)

Delivery: Combined Face to Face and Telehealth
Cost: $1,650.00 (after pay available)

Who is this suitable for:

Children aged 6 to 18 years of age.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that primarily affects reading and spelling abilities, and its manifestations can vary widely among individuals. It's important to note that dyslexia does not affect intelligence. Many individuals with dyslexia are highly intelligent and creative but may struggle with traditional methods of learning that rely heavily on reading and writing skills.

Dyslexia presents differently in each person, and the severity of symptoms can vary widely. Early identification and appropriate interventions, such as specialized reading programs and accommodations, can greatly improve outcomes for individuals with dyslexia.

• Reading Difficulties: Individuals with dyslexia often struggle with reading fluency and accuracy. They may read slowly and with effort, frequently lose their place, skip words or lines, or substitute words with similar meanings.
• Decoding and Phonological Awareness: Difficulty with phonological processing is a hallmark of dyslexia. This includes challenges in breaking down and manipulating sounds in words (phonemic awareness) and difficulty connecting letters to their corresponding sounds (phonics).
• Spelling Challenges: Individuals with dyslexia often have difficulty with spelling. They may misspell words, have inconsistent spelling patterns, and struggle to apply spelling rules.
• Writing Difficulties: Dyslexia can impact writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, and organization of ideas. Written expression may be less coherent or may contain frequent spelling errors.
• Reading Comprehension: While dyslexia primarily affects decoding skills, it can also impact reading comprehension. Individuals may have difficulty understanding and remembering what they read, especially longer passages or complex texts.
• Slow Vocabulary Development: Some individuals with dyslexia may have a smaller vocabulary or may take longer to learn new words compared to their peers.
• Difficulty with Sequencing and Time Management: Dyslexia can affect the ability to sequence tasks or events in order and may lead to challenges with time management and organization.
• Memory Challenges: Short-term memory difficulties can affect the ability to recall information quickly, such as remembering instructions or multi-step processes.
• Visual and Spatial Skills: Some individuals with dyslexia may also have difficulties with visual-spatial skills, such as recognizing letters, shapes, or directions (left vs. right).
• Attention Difficulties: Although not always present, some individuals with dyslexia may also exhibit attention difficulties, such as difficulty sustaining attention or staying focused on tasks.

What it Includes:

• Combination of cognitive and educational assessments and interviews:
  1. Clinical Interview: Detailed interview with the individual (or their parents/guardians if the individual is a child), focusing on developmental history, educational experiences, and any concerns about reading and related skills.
  2. Cognitive Assessment: This involves administering standardized tests to assess cognitive abilities such as intelligence (IQ) and specific cognitive skills related to reading and language processing. This helps to rule out other potential causes for reading difficulties and to understand the individual's strengths and weaknesses.
  3. Assessment of Emotional and Behavioural Factors: Considering emotional factors such as anxiety or frustration related to reading difficulties, which may affect academic performance and motivation.
  4. Parent and Teacher Input: Gathering information from parents, teachers, or other relevant caregivers regarding the individual's behaviour, academic performance, and social-emotional development.
  5. Report and Feedback: After completing the assessment, a comprehensive report is typically provided to summarize findings, make recommendations for interventions and accommodations, and outline strengths and weaknesses in reading and related skills.

Please note, to undertake a Dyslexia assessment, it is a prerequisite that your child has received targeted intervention for their reading difficulties, such as an in-school literacy program or out-of-school tutoring, and that their difficulties have been present for at least six months.

A non-refundable 20% deposit is required to secure a booking. After pay is available. Full payment is due before the initial session.

Note: You may be eligible for a rebate for a cognitive assessment from your private health insurance, contact them to ascertain if that applies to your level of cover.

Before your first session reception will email you some intake and registration forms and an initial psychological test for you to complete. These must all be completed 48 hours before your first session, or your appointment may have to be rescheduled. It allows your psychologist to prepare for your first session, and for us to create a client file for you and send you appointment reminders and submit your Medicare rebate (if applicable).

If you need further information, our Assessments Manager will be happy to answer your questions. They can be contacted by email at ad***@im**********************.com or call: 0400428593.