Recommendations for educational psychologist for 8 year old Post Reply

[Pwatercress]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone might be able to recommend a private educational psychologist who works with primary age children and has experience with academically able kids with adhd/asd?

Thanks

[Feeling old]

We saw Catriona Hassall near Windsor who was brilliant as our psychologist and we see Dr Campos as our education psychiatrist.

[Feeling old]

I forgot to say both of my children are very able academically.

[gkc]

We took my daughter to see Rosa Matthews three years ago.  She was recommended by her school and was excellent.  We saw her near Hammersmith. rosa_matthews@hotmail.com

[Lulu Luckock]

Happy to have a free 20-minute chat with you to see if I can help. Please have a look at my website and get in touch if you would like to know more about how I work.
lululuckock.com

[Zoieart]

This one’s easy!! Find Desmond O’Connor at oconnorassessment dot com he’s the best there is - so thorough, oodles of experience and makes it fun for the child…and he’s local. Fingers crossed he’ll be able to squeeze you in- he’s very busy!! Xxx

[Francyne]

Feeling old wrote:
> We saw Catriona Hassall near Windsor who was brilliant as our psychologist
> and we see Dr Campos as our education psychiatrist.

I CAN´T HAVE AN OPINION HOW SHE IS AS A PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST - AS A PERSON..... SHE IS RENTING A PROPERTY IN SPAIN AND SHE DOESN´T PAY THE RENT OR BILLS AFTER ONLY 2 MONTHS RENTING THE HOUSE!!!!!

[Farlington]

Ms Catriona Hassal, psychologist -please be aware! she might be a professional pychologist but she is renting a property in Mallorca with a friend and they are not paying the rent or bills after being only 2 months in the house!!!!!!!

[dohnia]

As a SENCO, private SEN tutor and parent advocate I would advise caution in going to a private EP for an ASD assessment.

Some families do choose to take the private route to access a diagnosis, however I think caution is wise.

It is possible (though not right!) that a diagnosis from a private psychologist may not be recognised or accepted by other services or professionals in the same way that a diagnosis from a recognised and established NHS service does. Having a private diagnosis in this way may therefore hinder you in accessing other important avenues of support or services for your child in the future. Therefore, it may be wise to pursue a diagnosis through the usual ‘official’ channels, such as going to your school and/or GP and requesting a referral for your child to CAMHS for an Autism assessment.

If you do go through with an NHS diagnosis there are also important (statutory) processes which have to take place, such as receiving a post diagnosis follow up appointment, and next step planning which should help to identify and refer your son to any other services he may need, such a Speech and Language Therapy etc. With a private psychologist these statutory pathways do not exist and there is no requirement for them to do anything other than the specific service that you have agreed to pay them to provide.

I think there are some fantastic private psychologists out there, but sometimes I think, even though it is undoubtedly a very long, saddening and frustrating process, it can sometimes be wise to engage with the ‘official system’ nonetheless?

If you do decide to go private you need a Clinical Psychologist for a diagnosis, as Educational Psychologists tend to instead focus on things like learning difficulties, how a diagnosis impacts upon an individual child’s ability to learn, and they can offer strategies as to how best to manage a diagnosis and identify suitable educational needs and school settings too. Often a Educational Psychologist is called into a school when a child (who already has a diagnosis from a Clinical Psychologist) is struggling to manage or needs strategies in school.

Hope this helps!