A psychologist may work with you and other members of the children's disability team to assess and understand your child’s unique strengths and abilities.
What a psychologist does
A psychologist can assess your child’s learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The psychologist may assess your child’s progress in these areas:
- Learning, thinking and problem-solving.
- Play skills.
- Social skills.
- Emotional and behavioural development.
- Skills for independence.
A psychologist's assessment may involve:
- talking to you about your child’s strengths and needs
- talking to your child’s teachers
- observing your child at home, at school and at the centre
- playing with and talking to your child
- using formal tests of ability with your child. Your child may be asked to play with books, puzzles, toys and to look at pictures
Based on this assessment, and by working with your child's teachers, they can also advise you on schools and education.
Treatment programme
The psychologist may offer to:
- work with your family to encourage positive behaviour and social-emotional skills
- provide parent training
- support you when you are making a decision about starting your child in pre-school, primary school or secondary school
- support you to explore the impact of your child’s special needs on the family as a whole