Educational psychologist advice Post Reply

[Batterseamummy]

My 7 year old son's teacher has recommended we get him assessed by an educational psychologist because he's very behind in both English and maths and no amount of support groups in school and tutoring outside of school seems to be making enough difference. Does anyone have any experience with ed psych's? I'm really hoping that the assessment will help his progress take off.

Also the psychologist the school has recommended charges £750 (eek!). Does anyone know if this is roughly what most of them charge?

Thanks in advance!

[2009Kat]

Yes, that price is about right for perhaps at least one of the bigger names. We paid around that (and someone else was even more expensive taking into account travel costs). Other factor is that many have 3 month wait lists. However, we were after someone with some very specific experience.
There may be others who are very good and cheaper with shorter waitlists. From memory there is a society (BPS?) on which you can check names, registrations etc.
Good luck!
(for what it is worth, the wandsworth council ed psych was excellent if that route is open to you as well).

[broodje]

This sounds right.

We had one done 5 years ago and paid £550-570 or thereabouts.This charge seemed standard at the time. However, I was also recommended someone who charged £750 but she had a 6-7 month waiting list. With ours we waited 6 weeks.

So 5 years on, I imagine the prices have gone up and what £700+ wouldn't seem outrageous.

We were also recommended Annie Mitchell mentioned here by a Hornsby parent - I think she is on their recommended list (or was 5 years ago).

Waiting lists are quite common but don't be put off by this - often they have cancellation so you may get a call much earlier for a slot. Takes 2-3 hours.

[Batterseamummy]

Thanks so much all. Yes Annie Mitchelle is the one we've been recommended. Fingers crossed we'll be able to get in reasonably soon. Which list is the one mentioned?

Did you find that the results of the assessment helped your children longer term?

[broodje]

Every school has a list of EdPsych (and other experts) they work with and recommend to parents (independent schools it is, state schools work with the LEA) so Annie Mitchell was the one that Hornsby worked with at the time (among others I am sure).

The results don't help you as such but they indicate where the problem lies so you can develop an intervention program and a range of coping strategies.

It may be a whole range of thing - it could be that the child has average or below average IQ AND processing speed problems. You'll deal with this one way. OR very high IQ but atrocious working memory. Those two profiles will be dealt with differently.

Basically, you'll get verbal IQ, non-verabl IQ, overall IQ, standardized scores on reading, spelling, maths, comprehension etc, working memory, processing speed, etc.Different EdPsych use different batteries of tests.

I assume you check vision and hearing as these health problems will often have effect on school attainment.

You can also try Lindamood Bell in Kensington - I really liked their assessment, very comprehensive (but only focuses on various aspect of literacy and maths, not IQ). They often have offers to do it for free (in the hope that you'll use their VERY VERY expensive intervention programs), if it's not on offer it used to be £300. But if you wait there will be offers. In some respects, it's actually a lot more comprehensive that the EdPsych. We've done both.

[lemonzest]

A friend used Katarina Beer-Riley, and was very happy with the support - http://www.psychologyunlimited.co.uk/ Worth a call as I think she does a free initial telephone consultation.

(Full disclosure - Katarina is a friend of mine).

[SW11PARENT]

Hello there

I was recommended and have just seen a lovely man called Ged Balmer. He is based in Chislehurst where the consultation took place in his home. I went there with my 15 year old son. Cost was £450 for the assessment in the morning and he writes up the report in the afternoon. He was an Ed Psych for Bromley for 20+ years and is now retired and doing private work. I would definitely recommend him. His availability was a lot more fluid than other places I tried (eg the Dyslexia Centre which couldn't offer an appointment until the end of April).
ged.balmer@btinternet.com
He established that my son had dyslexia which explains the issues he has been having for 3+ years at school (a school which prides itself on its 'dyslexia friendly' policy )


Good luck with it all.

[hema.desai]

If you are looking for a literacy and maths assessment with possibility of looking into dyslexia a specialist teacher assessment can also be done. I am a specialist assessor and do these assessments. The charge is slightly lower. I charge £400 for an assessment which includes a comprehensive assessment. You are welcome to have a look at my website www.connectlit.com or ring me to discuss further.

If you are looking at a specialist teacher assessment see below for guidelines from the British Dyslexia Association

"Assessments can also be carried out by an appropriately qualified specialist dyslexia teacher with a post graduate Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties and an assessment Practising Certificate"

You can book these in privately or contact companies such as Bloomfield Learning Centre who complete these assessments as well.