Learning Assessments
Is your child working hard but continuing to struggle with reading, writing, spelling or mathematics?
Are schoolwork and homework taking much longer than expected, despite practice, teaching and support?
For young adults, learning difficulties may become more obvious at university, TAFE or work when reading loads increase, written tasks become more complex or there is greater pressure to work independently and within time limits.
Some people begin to believe they are simply “not academic” when the real issue is a specific and persistent difficulty in one area of learning.
A learning assessment can identify the specific skills that are difficult, clarify whether a specific learning disorder may be present and provide targeted recommendations for intervention and support.
Future Minds Psychology provides comprehensive learning assessments for children and teenagers from our clinic in Box Hill South, supporting families across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Our Learning Assessments Provide
Detailed academic assessment
We examine reading, writing, spelling, mathematics and other relevant academic skills.
Understanding the full picture
We consider learning history, cognitive functioning, attention, emotional wellbeing and previous support.
Clear feedback and report
You receive an explanation of the findings, a written psychological report and practical recommendations.
Support beyond assessment
Our team can provide further assessment, psychological support and collaboration with schools where appropriate.
Understanding Learning Difficulties
Learning difficulties can affect specific academic skills even when a person has strong general ability and has received appropriate teaching.
A comprehensive learning assessment may examine:
- reading accuracy
- reading fluency
- reading comprehension
- phonological skills
- spelling
- written expression
- numerical operations
- mathematics fluency
- mathematical problem-solving
The assessment considers results alongside educational history, cognitive abilities, attention, emotional wellbeing and previous intervention.
The aim is not simply to identify a low score. It is to understand the pattern of difficulty, its impact and what targeted support may help.
What can reading difficulties look like?
A person may:
- read slowly or hesitantly
- guess unfamiliar words
- struggle to sound words out
- lose their place
- skip words or lines
- need to reread information
- avoid reading aloud
- become tired or frustrated quickly
- understand spoken information better than written information
- have difficulty remembering what they have read
For some people, so much mental effort is required to decode the words that there is less capacity left for understanding the material.
What can spelling and writing difficulties look like?
A person may:
- spell common words inconsistently
- have difficulty remembering spelling patterns
- write much less than they can explain verbally
- struggle to organise ideas
- lose track of thoughts while writing
- find grammar or punctuation difficult
- produce written work that does not reflect their knowledge
- write very slowly
- rely heavily on spellcheck or other technology
- avoid writing tasks
- become overwhelmed by essays, reports or extended responses
What can mathematics difficulties look like?
A person may:
- struggle to learn or recall number facts
- forget mathematical procedures
- confuse mathematical symbols
- have difficulty understanding number relationships
- struggle with place value
- lose track during multi-step calculations
- understand a method when shown but struggle to apply it independently
- find worded problems particularly difficult
- require much more repetition than expected
- experience significant anxiety around mathematics
What is a specific learning disorder?
A specific learning disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty learning and using academic skills.
It may affect:
- reading
- written expression
- mathematics
- more than one academic area
Terms such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia are commonly used to describe particular patterns of difficulty.
Diagnosis is not based on one score alone. The psychologist considers the pattern and persistence of difficulties, the person’s educational history, intervention already provided, functional impact and whether another factor better explains the difficulties.
What can a learning assessment help you understand?
Assessment considers academic strengths alongside areas requiring intervention.
- current reading, writing, spelling and mathematics skills
- the specific academic processes that are difficult
- whether achievement is below what would be expected
- whether the pattern is consistent with a specific learning disorder
- whether cognitive abilities affect learning
- whether working memory or processing speed may be relevant
- whether ADHD, language, anxiety or other factors may also contribute
- what targeted intervention may help
- what school, university or workplace adjustments may be appropriate
The aim is not simply to provide a diagnosis. It is to clarify what is difficult and identify what should happen next.
What does this assessment involve?
Before you proceed, we provide a clear assessment plan, timeframe and fee outline.
Parent consultation
We discuss your concerns, your child’s development, learning, emotional wellbeing, strengths and school experience.
Background and educational information
We review your child's relevant school or previous assessment information and may gather teacher feedback where appropriate.
Cognitive and Learning Assessment
Cognitive testing may be included to understand reasoning, working memory and processing speed and how these relate to learning. Standardised academic tests are provided for reading, writing, spelling and/or mathematics, depending on the referral question.
Feedback and report
We explain the findings and provide a written psychological report with targeted recommendations for intervention and support.
Our approach to learning assessment
We take a comprehensive approach that considers the person, not just their test scores.
- evidence-based academic assessment
- careful consideration of educational and intervention history
- recognition of strengths alongside learning difficulties
- consideration of cognitive, attention and emotional factors
- practical and targeted recommendations
- school collaboration where appropriate
- further assessment when additional questions arise
Not sure if a learning assessment is needed?
You don’t need to be certain before seeking support. We are here to help you understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and determine whether an assessment, a parent consultation, or therapy is the best place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A comprehensive assessment can determine whether a reading profile is consistent with a specific learning disorder in reading, commonly called dyslexia
Assessment may identify a specific learning disorder affecting written expression. Where handwriting or fine-motor difficulties are the primary concern, occupational therapy assessment may also be recommended.
Yes. The assessment can determine whether mathematics difficulties are consistent with a specific learning disorder in mathematics.
No. Learning disorders can occur at any level of intellectual ability, including in people with very strong reasoning skills.
Not necessarily. It is often helpful, but where recent suitable cognitive testing is available, we may review those results rather than repeat assessment.