Learning Enrichment Centre News

Reflecting on ANZAC Day, we find great comfort in the lessons that the ANZACs have left for our community. The ANZAC spirit, traditions, and sacrifices that these men and women made in service to our country are remarkable.

I read that the Anzac Spirit is an “unseen, unpredictable, an unquenchable thirst for justice, freedom, and peace. This is not dissimilar to what you do as parents and what we do as teachers: desire justice, freedom, and peace.

It makes me think about the journey that many parents take to gain support for their children who have specific educational needs, whether this is to gain an assessment for the high ability learner, who needs learning extension, or for those who learn differently and need a different approach to learning, or a modified curriculum.

We rely on key people to journey together, like the teachers, pediatricians, counsellors, educational psychologists, Career Coordinators, and you the parents, to support our children’s journey to adulthood. Sometimes we need specific help from professionals to guide our teachers, and parents to develop well-adjusted and confident children. We can look to educational psychologists for support and insight into how our children learn best.

What is Educational Psychology?                 

Educational Psychology involves the study of how children learn, including teaching methods, instructional processes, and individual differences in learning. If you are exploring a psychological assessment to support your child by identifying their educational learning profile, the following information will help you to consider what needs to be done.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-educational-psychology-2795157

Questions to think about:

1. Does your child need a psychological assessment that leads to a diagnosis?
2. What are you wanting to achieve by getting a psychological assessment for your child?
3. Is it necessary for their future endeavours, or are you concerned about your child’s progress? If you are concerned, have you checked with your child’s teachers or the school? Sometimes we worry unnecessarily.
4. Will this Medical and/or Clinical Assessment place unnecessary stress on your child or your finances?
5. Has the school recommended an assessment to help better support your child’s learning?
6. Remember to take courage and connect/partner with the school. We are here to support your child in their learning.

Remember God has a plan and purpose for your child. You can trust him because “He began a good work in [your child] and will be faithful to complete it.” (Philippians 1:6).

Engaging an Educational Psychologist.

Suggestions for what to ask when making an appointment:

When you call, explain that you would like to find out more about your child's abilities and would like a full cognitive assessment. In addition to finding out about fees, it might be worth asking what assessments they offer (WISC V and WIAT are the commonly used assessments).

• WISC is the cognitive test, and the WIAT is the achievement test.
• The Connors Test looks at learning difficulties, attention and focus.

Also, ask how long it will take to complete the report and how they will deliver the information to you (e.g., is a follow-up meeting included in the cost?).

These tests can be tiring and demanding on your child, and you need to be sure that they will be of benefit to your child. So, feel free to contact the LEC to have a conversation prior to engaging in this process.

Source: https://anzacday.org.au/the-spirit-of-anzac

Mrs Chantal McAllister, Head of Learning Enrichment P-12