Upcoming Assessments
What to expect for the parent/guardian
- First, let's talk! I'll help you decide if having a diagnostic assessment to explore maths difficulties is the right thing for you now.
- If it is the right time then I will send out a lengthy background questionnaire and you'll need to take time to complete this as comprehensively as possible because it's really important. If it helps we can talk through the questionnaire together and I can fill it in for you. Otherwise you can complete the online form yourself. The first payment will be due at that point.
- You'll need to email your childs teacher (where applicable) for them to complete a questionnaire too. Sometimes you'll need to remind them a few times!
- Then once I've read all this information we'll likely need to chat again so I can clarify a few things.
- Then if you're ready to book the assessment date the next payment will be due to secure your spot. We're often booking a few months away so plan ahead and make sure there is plenty of time before key school transitions.
- Remember to bring glasses, reading windows/rulers etc, fiddle toys, wobble cushions or other adjustments your child is familiar with along with snacks (or lunch) and a drink.
- On the day of the assessment(s) you are required to remain nearby should your child or young person need anything, or I need to clarify things. The assessment has to be face to face and can be either in school, at your home in or near Bath, or my home in Bath (UK). I prefer there to be two mornings for assessment but if you're travelling a long way I can do it in one day. It may take up to 5 hours those so your child or young person will be exhausted!
- After the assessment I will collate all the scores from the psychometric tests, my qualitiative observations and the background information and synthesise them into a diagnosis of dyscalculia, maths specific SpLD, or advise that no diagnosis is possible.
- The final payment is due in order to receive the report by email. I can post a copy to you if you prefer. We will then chat again so that you (and your child if appropriate) fully understand the report and its implications for learning.
- You can then share the report as you choose with your childs school or other professionals later in their educational pathway.
- I will not be able to edit the report once it has been delivered to you in accordance with my professional guidelines.
Things to explain to the child or young person
It's natural to feel anxious about what to expect in an assessment. You may have never had an assessment or you may have had one for dyslexia or ADHD for instance, but a dyscalculia assessment will be new for everyone I see.
We will sit together for a few hours, ideally over two separate mornings but it can be done in one day if you're travelling far from Bath.
We will explore some maths tools, play some games and do some quizzes together. You have to write a little, but not much. You have to talk quite a bit to both answer questions and to explain how you worked things out.
Each little section is really short, only a few minutes, so there will be loads of breaks and chances to move around. You don't even have to sit down to do some of the sections if you need to move around!
I need you to try your best, but the questions sometimes get harder for older children so when you can't do them, that's ok!
It is important that an adult stays nearby for the assessment, whether you're in school or at your house or mine.
It's OK for you cuddle the cat, go to the loo, have snacks or talk to your adult! When you tell me what you need I can help you out. I'm really friendly and love seeing the fiddle toys children bring for assessment!