Difficulties With Learning

Sometimes difficulties with learning are well disguised until a child reaches school going age. In these situations, a teacher will often call the parents in for a meeting to discuss the child’s progress. It can be overwhelming for some parents to receive news that their child might be struggling in school. It is important to remain calm and try and obtain as much information from the teacher as possible. Teachers may refer the parents to a psychologist for academic assessment. Early assessment and intervention is key for a child to overcome difficulties and succeed in school.

Academic assessment involves assessing a child’s IQ and other areas of development, in order to assess for possible hindrances in school. Sometimes a psychologist may need further information from other professionals, for instance an occupational or speech therapist, in order to clarify the diagnosis.

Once the diagnosis has been verified, the psychologist will then have a meeting with the parents to explain the results and provide a guideline forward. It is recommended that the academic report is then referred to the school, in order for the school to better assist the child. The psychologist is a vital member in this process, as they can play a role of advocating for the child’s rights in a schooling environment. In addition, they may work with the educational department in order to apply for extra time during exams, for the child to write their exams in a different room, and to apply for various devices to assist the child in understanding the questions in exams, like a reader.