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Under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde
Learning Difficulties: AssessmentIf you think that your child may have a learning difficulty or disability, it is important to arrange an appointment for a diagnostic test by an educational psychologist. Some preliminary diagnostic tests can be carried out by class teachers (see section “How Teachers Can Help”). The British Dyslexia Association points out that “IQ tests used
by teachers are not as definitive as those used by educational psychologists,
but they give useful estimates of potential attainment.” In some cases, in order to have access to certain educational funding, a medical doctor’s report, rather than a psychologist’s, is essential. The medical route to funding is often more accessible than the educational one, and the medical insurance may not cover psychological help if it is not prescribed by a doctor. For details of an English-speaking doctor near you, call the Community Help Service help-line (02 648 40 14). One way or another, to find the best possible solution to the child’s problems, the parents will need a specialist’s objective view of the child’s abilities and difficulties, with specific recommendations for remedial help. It is important to allow plenty of time for the child to express feelings of anxiety. Often a child has difficulty in finding the right words to express these feelings, but keep encouraging communication. Try to boost self-confidence and positive thoughts. Your child could make a list – “I’m good at.....”. Praise good behavior, and don’t accept bad behavior. It is useful when going for an assessment to take along school reports and examples of work, and to prepare a list of points you would like to raise concerning the child and the family. It is all too easy to come away feeling that some vital points were missed and the full picture was not presented. Educational psychologists can take several hours to run their tests. Make sure that you get a summarized report of the results of the tests written in clear language that you can understand. You will need to give copies of this to the school, and it is important that everyone involved with teaching your child can understand the results of the test. The tests will reveal exactly where your child’s strengths and weaknesses are, and how he or she learns best. This will be very important for the teachers, to help them to understand how best to teach your child, and what areas need special attention. The tests that should be carried out : Diagnostic / Assessment tests can be done in English at the Children’s Department of the Community Help Centre, Rue St. Georges 102, 1050 Brussels tel. office - 02 647 67 80, help-line - 02 648 40 14, fax. 02 646 72 73 , e-mail chs@chsbelgium.org For lists of addresses of CLB and PMS centres, see websites: |