SLD Assessment

Put simply, an SLD assessment (specific learning disorder assessment) is a test that psychologists use to understand how your brain functions. An SLD assessment tests for dyslexia (challenges with reading and spelling), dyscalculia (challenges with numbers and math) and dysgraphia (challenges with writing).

A specific learning disorder assessment includes questions and tasks that measure specific cognitive abilities, and identify your brain's strengths, challenges and differences. The results of assessment are used to diagnose and to inform support and strategies to improve your daily life.

SLD assessment is available in-clinic or online.

What are the benefits?

Understanding

SLD assessment can help you, your family, and your friends understand why you act or feel differently from others. Understanding your brain can help make sense of things that may have been confusing before.

Support

SLD assessment identifies your brain's strengths, challenges and differences. The psychologist’s report explains these results and helps you to access support and tools to improve your daily life. These supports usually help with school, university, or in the workplace.

Validation

A diagnosis can be an empowering experience. It can be reassuring to know that a) there's an explanation for your differences and difficulties, b) there are ways to make life easier and use your differences to your advantage, and c) you’re not alone and now you can connect with like-minded communities.

What are the outcomes of an SLD assessment?

An SLD assessment can diagnose the following three learning disorders:

Dyslexia — significant challenges with reading and spelling.
Dyscalculia — significant challenges with numbers and math.
Dysgraphia — significant challenges with writing.

The results of assessment are used to diagnose and to inform support and strategies to improve your daily life.

SLD assessment - Specific Learning Disorder

How much does SLD assessment cost?

Assessment Packages

We've streamlined your SLD assessment needs with cost-effective packages. Assessment packages help you to save money through bundling, when booking in for multiple assessments. This not only provides financial savings, but also ensures that you receive the most thorough evaluation possible.

Where should I start?

Have a specific question?

Diagnostic assessment

Assessment to diagnose ADHD, autism, giftedness, specific learning disorders and intellectual disabilities.

Unsure if it's ADHD or autism?

Neurodevelopmental screening

Screen your symptoms of ADHD and autism and get guidance from a psychologist without committing to a full assessment.

What is the process?

1. Background - You'll provide your background info and details for your practitioner.

2. Intake - You'll meet your practitioner, and have an opportunity to ask questions and present your concerns.

3. SLD Assessment - You'll complete a series of standardised questions and tasks that evaluate your cognitive functions with the help of your practitioner.

4. Feedback - Your practitioner will discuss your results with you (it’s a jargon-free zone, we work hard to make sure it makes sense), clarify your concerns and talk with you about the next steps,

5. Report Writing - Your practitioner will write a report summarising the assessment findings, their diagnostic impression, and recommendations for next steps.

What you can expect from us...

Scope is a truly neuro-affirming practice. All of our practitioners and team members value lived experience and take the position of an ally in every interaction. Our services are strengths-based and built around the self-identified needs of our clients. We always aim to identify environmental change to support our clients without changing the individual. Our team includes ND and NT individuals and we can't wait to meet you!

Inclusive

Our SLD assessments are available to everyone, including people with all verbal abilities (including non-verbal), low and no vision, and low motor skills.

Diverse

We have an extensive library of assessment tools to tailor your assessment and answer your questions.

Accessible

You can access assessment 100% online, in-clinic, through home visits*, or through our rural outreach services.

* Home visits are limited by time taken to travel from our clinic locations. Please ask our client support team for more information.

What should I bring?

Records

Bring any relevant medical and educational records, such as previous assessments and reports, and a list of your current medications.

Questions

You may want to jot down any questions or concerns you have about your symptoms or challenges before your first session.

Items

It may be helpful to bring a notepad and pen to take note of important information, and also a comfort item to make you feel at ease.

Who should I see for an SLD assessment?

All of our psychologists are AHPRA registered.

Danielle Copplin

FAQs

If your child is experiencing difficulties with learning but has only received support through standard classroom curriculum, then your psychologist will provide a provisional diagnosis. A provisional diagnosis gives appropriate evidence for your child to receive targeted intervention at school and sometimes from other professionals like a speech pathologist or tutor. Your child is still entitled to the support that they need to learn effectively in the classroom even with a provisional diagnosis.

If your child continues to struggle after six months of targeted intervention, then the psychologist can demonstrate the difficulty is persistent and confirm the diagnosis. Confirming a diagnosis typically involves another 1.5-hour assessment appointment, with an associated cost of up to $550.00. As such, we recommend waiting to commence assessment until after six months of targeted intervention (support in addition to the standard curriculum) has been provided.

You have two options when it comes to seeking a formal assessment and diagnosis—a psychiatrist or a psychologist. A psychiatrist doesn’t typically complete neurocognitive assessment, so you don’t get to learn all that much about your brain. However, they can provide medical management for your symptoms in the form of medication. A psychologist helps you to understand your brain and can also teach you ways to manage your symptoms alongside or sometimes without medication.

Medical Management (Psychiatrist)

Seeing a psychiatrist for a diagnosis can help you to access medication for your symptoms.

Pros:

Immediate symptom reduction
Scientifically proven
Predictable effects

Cons:

Possible side effects
Doesn’t address underlying issues
Unknown long-term effects
Dependency and tolerance

Behavioural Management (Psychologist)

Seeing a psychologist for a diagnosis can help you to understand your differences and difficulties, and learn to support them and live well with them.

Pros:

Addresses underlying issues
No side effects
Improves quality of life
Skill development

Cons:

Results are less immediate
Time-consuming