Child Struggling in School? Don’t know who to turn to?
Our educational psychologists can help by carrying out a cognitive assessment.
No two students are the same. Each one has differences in the manner in which they approach learning. However, a child struggling in school is quite different to one approaching their education from a unique perspective. If that child is not given the help that he or she desperately needs, it could gravely impact their education going forward.
Struggling with schoolwork might invoke feelings of shame, ineptitude or embarrassment. Unfortunately, underperforming children aren’t typically forthcoming – especially teenagers. Therefore, it can be a struggle in itself to even uncover whether they are struggling. Worst still, the longer it takes for said student to get help, the further behind they will inevitably become in their studies. This is simply because learning environments adapt with the class and resist stagnation. However, if your child is struggling, know that they are not without hope! Whilst it’s vital you intervene at the earliest opportunity, there are coping strategies they can readily employ. Some of which will soften their difficulties. Before isolating what strategies may or may not work for your child struggling in school, here are several basic things you can do.
Above all else, talk to your child! Don’t make assumptions. Speak to your child calmly and rationally. They might be able to better explain their struggles if they don’t encounter judgment or hostility. However, it might not be as straightforward as that. Perhaps your child simply doesn’t know why they’re struggling in school. So, maybe the school does? That brings us onto point two, yet time is of the essence here, so don’t wait until the next parents evening – it could be too late by then. If there is a pressing issue at hand then there’s a likelihood the teacher will have noted this down. If not, don’t get angry with them or the school. After all, teachers want the best out of their pupils and certainly don’t want a child struggling in school – certainly not theirs. Should none of these ventures shine a light on matters, however, then you’re reached point three. This involves contacting us and booking an appointment with one of our educational psychologists. Once in contact, our dedicated team can perform something known as a cognitive assessment. In short, this assessment provides essential learning and performance data. This indicates whether your child struggling in school has anything more to do with their learning environment.
Seem familiar?
Is your child struggling in school? Here are some tell-tale signs.
Difficulties with reading and writing
Socially withdrawn or distant
Unable to follow basic instructions
Disorganised and disengaged from school
Low maths grades and/or poor spelling
Appears emotional and distracted
Is your child struggling in school? If so, contact Educational Assessments. We carry out cognitive assessments across Australia and can help isolate and determine if they are struggling with something in-particular. Our team also offer home visits too. All so we can assess you and your child’s needs in an environment they’re comfortable in.
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How We Help a Child Struggling in School
Typically speaking, an assessment can take 2-3 hours to conduct.
If you feel that you have a child struggling in school, assessments can be organised through school. However, owing to a shortage of educational psychologists, availability is stretched. Therefore, going through the school system can take longer. We recommend that if you can afford to do so, pursue private action at a fraction of the wait time. Unfortunately, the longer it takes, the further behind the child struggling in school becomes. At Educational Assessments, we don’t want that for our patients, and so we do our best to act with the utmost speed and caution. Our educational psychologists are well-trained to put children – and all patients – at ease and relate to them during these sessions. It’s our goal for patients to view the experience as a positive situation. One that acts as a catalyst for improved learning down the line.
Typically speaking, an assessment can take 2-3 hours to conduct. Although, the time taken does vary per child. This can be due to a multitude of factors, such as their attention, motivation, anxiety, etc. Each session includes an arsenal of widely used and clinically sensitive instruments. Yet, once finished will culminate in the educational psychologist will produce a report. This report will give an overview of your child’s strengths and weaknesses. It will also provide recommendations for teaching strategies and suitable advice for your child. However, no matter the outcome of the report, please remember that your child has not changed. They are still the same child you love. The point of these assessments is to provide support to help them reach their full potential and to stop your child struggling in school. We can only hope that both you and your child will feel happier once you and your school can act on the findings and support them further in life.
Get in contact to help your child struggling in school
We test children, adolescents, adults, and we can test YOU . . .
At Educational Assessments, our psychologists are able to carry out full cognitive assessments. These provide essential learning and performance data, with an aim to bolster support. If you believe that you or a loved one is struggling, get in touch. We have extensive coverage across Australia. Our team of expert consultants conduct home visits to assess you or your child and evaluate the patient’s learning needs to succeed.
Our assessments evaluate an extensive range of learning, social and emotional issues. The knowledge gleaned from the assessment and report will allow you to make informed choices. These will offer up the best way forwards to suit you or your child’s learning needs.
We offer clear jargon-free advice, consistent personal support and the full value of our expertise. If you have a child struggling in school and need advice, don’t delay. Simply get in touch today.