There are many different types of learning difficulties and learning disorders. These can vary greatly in nature and severity. Some of the learning difficulties include Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), and Visual Processing Disorder. Disorders such as these, and others, can be difficult to clearly identify without a detailed formal assessment by an appropriately trained professional. Children can experience difficulties in reading, writing and mathematics for a range of reasons, and it will not always point toward a learning disorder. However, if you feel concerned regarding your child’s learning, or if your child’s teacher raises concerns, it can be highly worthwhile to seek an assessment to see whether a learning difficulty may be present.
Learning difficulties and disorders are not uncommon and appear in a variety of ways including Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Auditory Processing Disorder, Visual Processing Disorder and many more. Without the support of a psychological professional, these disorders can be difficult to distinguish, diagnose and treat. It can be highly beneficial for parents to liaise with an educational psychologist if they have any reason to be concerned about their child’s development or learning progress. Early identification means that issues can be addressed earlier, which in turn positions the child, the parents, and the learning team to implement strategies and get the child heading in the most positive directions.
Laburnum Psychology’s Melbourne clinic is a well-respected mental health care service, with an ever-expanding range of services being performed by a valued team of mental health professionals. We work with a range of issues, drawing on a number of different strategic approaches. Our psychologists commonly utilise approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Therapy, Relationship Therapy, Family Therapy, as well as psychological assessments (cognitive, educational, ADHD, Autism).
We are of the belief that it can greatly assist a child when difficulties are identified early. It is important to remember that people all learn in different ways and styles. When we can understand a person’s learning style, we can set up strategies that will make life easier and maximize their chances of working to their strengths.
Children with reading difficulties may struggle to recognise or decode words when reading. They may stumble on and confuse words they know. They may also find it difficult to take on board the information they are reading (comprehension). Children with these difficulties can often come to dread and dislike reading, which can in turn feed back into the problem.
Children with writing difficulties may experience difficulty completing writing tasks at school. They may be slow, and they may get jumbled in their writing, finding it very difficult to put their thoughts onto paper. Their writing may be extremely messy and may contain many mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation. They will most likely struggle to complete writing tasks in a timely manner, and will often end up producing minimal written output.
Children who experience difficulties with maths will often struggle to comprehend simple numerical and mathematical concepts. They may struggle with tasks such as counting, or other age appropriate mathematical concepts such as times tables, addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. With these children, you may find that it is very difficult to explain simple mathematical concepts in a manner that they can comprehend or retain.
You might notice that your child has lots of creative ideas and can describe these to you in great detail, but that they struggle to express this in writing or get it onto the page.
Melbourne is fortunate to be well serviced with high quality mental health services. Laburnum Psychology is dedicated to ensuring high quality and accessible care, provided by well credentialed psychologists.
Finding a psychologist who can identify and assist with your child’s specific needs and circumstances can feel daunting. This is why we place a strong emphasis upon our recruitment, and maintaining a team of practitioners who place high value on assessment and therapy processes.
Whether you’re hoping to find peace of mind or are seeking a cognitive assessment, we can make it will work with you to fit your sessions around your lifestyle, whether you live locally to the clinic or not. Our Telehealth service lets you book, manage and attend sessions with your child from wherever they are most comfortable. This could be at home, or an alternative safe space, wherever there is an appropriate WiFi connection. Read More
Learning difficulties come in various forms and can manifest with varying degrees of complexity and severity. Some examples of these learning challenges include Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Visual Processing Disorder. The identification of such disorders, among others, can be challenging without a comprehensive formal assessment conducted by a qualified professional. Challenges in reading, writing, and mathematics in children can stem from a multitude of reasons, and they do not necessarily indicate a learning disorder. Nevertheless, if you have worries about your child’s learning abilities or if their teacher raises issues, seeking an educational assessment in Melbourne can be a valuable step in determining the potential presence of a learning difficulty.
Laburnum Psychology, established in 2009, has evolved into a carefully curated team of 25 psychologists under the leadership of Practice Principals Tim and Kylie. We are committed to providing evidence-based practice, and tailoring our intervention to each individuals needs. We understand that seeking an educational assessment in Melbourne can be difficult, therefore we aim to make the process as accessible as possible. Undiagnosed learning difficulties can pose challenges in school and self-esteem. A diagnosis can provide valuable insights into your child’s struggles, opening the door to early intervention and tailored accommodations. This understanding empowers you as a parent to create a nurturing environment that fosters your child’s growth and success, both academically and socially.
Gaining a diagnosis from a learning difficulties assessment in Melbourne helps you to make sense of past challenges and develop individualised strategies and interventions for managing learning difficulties.
Obtaining a diagnosis not only leads to tailored treatment and support but also equips you with knowledge about the condition’s impact on your child. Our assessment specialists are equipped to guide individuals through the assessment process, offering valuable insights and answers. Seeking a learning difficulties assessment in Melbourne is a significant step toward understanding and self-acceptance. The diagnostic progress process helps make sense of atypical behaviours, providing clarity to individuals and families.
An educational assessment in Melbourne may offer a much-needed diagnosis to ensure a plan to optimise your child’s learning. Getting a diagnosis may offer an understanding as to why a child may be experiencing problems in school performance. At Laburnum Psychology, we will support your efforts as you invest in your child’s wellbeing, so don’t hesitate to reach out and explore what we can do for you. You can either contact us via telephone on 03 9877 9170 or simply fill out the enquiry form.
Work with professionals who don’t just listen but support you through life’s challenges.
Your child’s wellbeing is of paramount importance. Having built and expanded our team, we are well placed to optimise client-clinician matching, and optimise accessibility via our Telehealth services. Here at Laburnum Psychology, we will work alongside you to best support your child, so don’t delay in getting in touch to see exactly what we can do for you.
