Learning Difficulties Assessments in Australia
Learning difficulties can affect reading, spelling, writing or mathematics, sometimes despite a person's effort, ability or motivation. A learning assessment can help children, adolescents and adults better understand their learning strengths and challenges, and explore whether difficulties may be consistent with a Specific Learning Disorder such as dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia.
At Cognitive Assessments Australia, our psychologists provide learning assessments in Melbourne, Brisbane and via Telehealth across Australia, with clear recommendations to help guide the next steps.
Assessment conducted by experienced psychology professionals.
We look at both learning challenges and individual strengths.
Receive a clear report and guidance to support next steps.
What Is a Learning Difficulties Assessment?
A learning difficulties assessment looks at how a person thinks, learns and performs across areas such as reading, spelling, writing and mathematics. It brings together information about their learning history, cognitive abilities and academic skills to develop a clearer picture of their individual learning profile.
For some people, the assessment may also help determine whether their difficulties meet the criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD). Understanding the reason behind persistent learning challenges can provide useful direction for support at school, further education, work or home.
Learning Difficulty vs Learning Disorder
The terms learning difficulty and learning disorder are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.
Learning Difficulties
Learning difficulties can arise for many different reasons and do not necessarily indicate a diagnosed condition. A person may experience challenges with particular academic skills because of a range of educational, developmental, environmental or other factors.
Specific Learning Disorder
It is is a recognised clinical diagnosis involving persistent difficulties with particular academic skills, such as reading, written expression or mathematics. A diagnosis is based on a comprehensive assessment and relevant diagnostic criteria rather than on difficulties at school alone.
A learning difficulties assessment can therefore help clarify what someone is finding difficult, where their strengths lie, and whether further diagnostic consideration or support may be appropriate.
Is Your Child, Teenager or You Struggling With Learning?
Sometimes learning difficulties are not obvious at first. A child may be putting in considerable effort without seeing the expected progress, while a teenager or adult may have spent years finding reading, writing or mathematics more difficult than it seems for others. If these challenges are persistent or affecting confidence, school, study or work, an assessment can help make sense of what may be getting in the way.
Reading Takes More Effort
Reading may be slow, tiring or difficult to keep up with, with challenges in recognising words, reading fluently or understanding what has been read.
Keeping Up at School Is Difficult
Academic demands can become increasingly challenging as school progresses, particularly when reading, writing or mathematics skills are affecting classroom learning.
Spelling Doesn't Come Easily
Remembering spelling patterns may remain difficult despite practice, or spelling may take much more concentration than expected for the person's age or level of education.
Writing Feels Hard Work
Putting ideas into writing may be challenging. A person may find organising thoughts, forming sentences, spelling or producing written work particularly demanding.
Mathematics Is a Struggle
Numbers, calculations or mathematical concepts may take longer to understand and apply, even when other areas of learning appear to come more naturally.
Homework Becomes a Battle
A child may avoid reading or homework, become frustrated quickly or need much more support and time to complete schoolwork than expected.
Strong in Some Areas, Struggling in Others
A person may have clear strengths in conversation, creativity, reasoning or other areas while experiencing unexpected difficulties with particular academic skills.
Difficulties Continue Into Adulthood
Some learning difficulties remain present beyond school and may affect further study, workplace tasks or everyday activities that rely heavily on reading, writing or mathematics.
What Learning Difficulties Can Be Assessed?
Learning difficulties can affect different areas of academic learning. An assessment can help identify patterns in reading, writing and mathematics, while also considering the person's broader learning profile and individual strengths.
Dyslexia — Reading
Dyslexia is associated with persistent difficulties in learning and using reading skills. An assessment may look at areas such as word reading accuracy, decoding, reading fluency, spelling and reading comprehension to understand how reading skills are developing.
Dysgraphia — Writing
Dysgraphia is commonly used to describe significant difficulties with aspects of written expression. An assessment may explore spelling, written language, organising ideas and producing written work fluently, with handwriting considered where it is relevant to the person's concerns.
Dyscalculia — Mathematics
Dyscalculia refers to significant difficulties with aspects of mathematical learning. An assessment may examine number understanding, arithmetic, calculation and mathematical reasoning to identify where a person may need additional support.
Who Might Benefit From a Learning Difficulties Assessment?
Learning difficulties can look different at different stages of life. An assessment may be helpful when challenges with reading, writing, spelling or mathematics persist over time, affect confidence or make school, further study or work more difficult.
Children
A learning assessment for children may be worth considering when teachers or parents notice ongoing academic difficulties, such as struggling with reading, spelling or mathematics despite consistent effort and support. It can help clarify a child's learning strengths and areas where additional support may be useful.
Teenagers and Adolescents
As school becomes more demanding, difficulties that were manageable earlier can become more noticeable. Increasing reading and writing demands, exams, assignments or independent study may highlight challenges that deserve closer attention through an adolescent learning assessment.
Adults
Learning difficulties can continue into adulthood, even when someone has developed strategies to manage them. Difficulties with reading, writing or mathematics may become more noticeable at university, TAFE or work. An adult learning difficulties assessment can provide greater clarity about longstanding challenges
Which Assessment Is Right for Me or My Child?
Different assessments answer different questions. The right starting point depends on what you are concerned about, whether it is academic skills, cognitive functioning, attention, social communication or a broader learning profile. Understanding the purpose of each assessment can help you decide what may be most appropriate.
Learning Difficulties Assessment
A learning difficulties assessment focuses on areas such as reading, spelling, writing and mathematics. It can help clarify why particular academic skills are challenging and whether the pattern of difficulties may be consistent with a Specific Learning Disorder.
Cognitive Assessment
A cognitive assessment looks at aspects of thinking and information processing, such as reasoning, working memory and processing speed. It can help provide insight into a person's cognitive profile, but on its own it does not provide a complete picture of academic achievement.
ADHD or Autism Assessment
Sometimes learning difficulties occur alongside differences in attention, executive functioning, communication or social interaction. If these concerns are also present, an ADHD or autism assessment may help explore whether another neurodevelopmental profile could be contributing to the person's experiences.
Psychoeducational Assessment
A psychoeducational assessment generally brings together information about cognitive abilities and academic achievement to develop a broader picture of how a person learns. It can help identify learning strengths, areas of difficulty and the types of support that may be helpful.
Educational or Academic Assessment
An educational assessment focuses more directly on academic skills and achievement, such as reading, spelling, writing and mathematics. It may be particularly useful when the main concern is how someone is performing in specific areas of learning.
Behavioural Assessment
A behavioural assessment explores patterns of behaviour and the factors that may be influencing them across home, school or other settings. It can help identify triggers, strengths and support needs when behavioural concerns are affecting learning, relationships or daily life.
Not sure which assessment is right for you or your child?
Our team can discuss your concerns and help you understand the most appropriate starting point.
Have Questions About a Learning Difficulties Assessment?
If you're unsure whether a learning difficulties assessment is right for you or your child, our team is here to help. Tell us a little about your concerns and we'll help you understand the available assessment options, what to expect and how to take the next step.
Suite 502, 434 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004
(Psychology Network)
Level 1, 16 McDougall Street Milton QLD 4064
1300-059-940
How Does a Learning Difficulties Assessment Work?
A learning difficulties assessment is designed to build a clear picture of how a person learns, not simply measure academic performance. The process combines conversations, relevant background information and assessment activities to understand learning strengths, challenges and areas where additional support may be helpful.
01.
Initial Consultation
We begin by discussing your concerns, learning history and what you hope to understand through the assessment.
02.
Background & Developmental History
Relevant information about development, education, previous assessments and learning support helps provide context for the assessment.
03.
Cognitive & Academic Assessment
Assessment activities explore areas such as reasoning, memory, processing, reading, writing, spelling and mathematics, depending on the individual’s needs.
04.
Results & Learning Profile
Your psychologist brings the information together to understand patterns of strengths and difficulties and consider whether further diagnostic conclusions may be appropriate.
05.
Feedback, Report & Recommendations
You receive a clear explanation of the findings, a written report where applicable, and practical recommendations to guide the next steps.
What Does a Learning Difficulties Assessment Assess?
A learning difficulties assessment looks beyond school results alone. Your psychologist considers different sources of information to understand how a person learns, where they are experiencing difficulties, and where their strengths can be supported. The areas explored will depend on the person's age, concerns and reason for assessment.
Cognitive Abilities
The assessment may explore areas such as verbal understanding, reasoning, working memory, processing speed and visual-spatial skills. These findings can help explain how a person takes in, processes and works with information.
Academic Achievement
Reading, spelling, written expression and mathematics may be assessed to understand current academic skills. Looking at specific areas can help identify patterns of difficulty as well as skills that are developing well.
Learning & Information Processing
Depending on the assessment question, your psychologist may consider how information is learned, remembered and applied. This can provide further insight into why some tasks feel easier than others.
Developmental & Educational History
Understanding the person's background provides important context. This may include early development, school experiences, previous assessments, learning support or interventions, and other relevant information.
Strengths as Well as Challenges
The purpose is not simply to identify what someone finds difficult. A learning assessment also highlights learning strengths, abilities and helpful ways of approaching tasks, creating a more balanced picture of the person and their learning profile.
What Will You Learn From the Assessment?
A learning difficulties assessment is about more than identifying areas that feel challenging. It brings together the assessment findings to create a clearer picture of how the person learns, what they do well, where they may need support, and what practical steps could help.
Identify Practical Recommendations
The findings can inform recommendations that may support learning at school, during further study or in everyday settings. Recommendations are based on the individual's needs and learning profile.
Where appropriate, the assessment report can provide useful information to discuss with schools, universities, TAFE providers or workplaces. It may support conversations about learning support or reasonable adjustments, depending on the requirements of the organisation.
Understand the Learning Profile
Learning strengths and areas of difficulty
Current reading, writing, spelling and mathematics skills
Aspects of the person's cognitive profile that may influence learning
Understand Whether a Specific Learning Disorder May Be Present
Where appropriate, the assessment can consider whether the person's pattern of difficulties is consistent with the criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder, rather than assuming that every learning challenge represents a disorder.
What Happens After a Learning Difficulties Assessment?
An assessment can bring clarity, but it is not the end of the conversation. Whether or not a Specific Learning Disorder is identified, the findings can help you understand the person's learning profile and consider practical ways to support their needs.
1. If a Specific Learning Disorder Is Identified
If the assessment findings meet the relevant criteria, your psychologist can explain what this means and provide recommendations based on the person's learning profile. These may help guide support at school, during further study or in other settings.
3. Sharing the Findings
With your consent, the assessment report can help provide a clearer picture to relevant people such as teachers, learning support staff or other professionals. This can make conversations about support more focused and informed.
2. If the Criteria Are Not Met
Not meeting the criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder does not mean that the person's difficulties are not real or that support is unnecessary. The assessment can still highlight areas of difficulty and provide useful recommendations for learning and day-to-day support.
4. Planning the Next Steps
Recommendations may point towards further learning support, targeted intervention or additional assessment where appropriate. The goal is to use what has been learned to help the person move forward with greater understanding and practical support.
What Happens After a Learning Difficulties Assessment?
An assessment can bring clarity, but it is not the end of the conversation. Whether or not a Specific Learning Disorder is identified, the findings can help you understand the person's learning profile and consider practical ways to support their needs.
If a Specific Learning Disorder Is Identified
If the assessment findings meet the relevant criteria, your psychologist can explain what this means and provide recommendations based on the person's learning profile. These may help guide support at school, during further study or in other settings.
If the Criteria Are Not Met
Not meeting the criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder does not mean that the person's difficulties are not real or that support is unnecessary. The assessment can still highlight areas of difficulty and provide useful recommendations for learning and day-to-day support.
Sharing the Findings
With your consent, the assessment report can help provide a clearer picture to relevant people such as teachers, learning support staff or other professionals. This can make conversations about support more focused and informed.
Planning the Next Steps
Recommendations may point towards further learning support, targeted intervention or additional assessment where appropriate. The goal is to use what has been learned to help the person move forward with greater understanding and practical support.
Why Choose Cognitive Assessments Australia?
Choosing an assessment provider is an important decision. You want clear information, thoughtful assessment and a professional who understands that learning difficulties can affect more than academic results. At Cognitive Assessments Australia, our approach focuses on understanding the whole learning profile while treating each person with respect and care.
Experienced Psychologists
Assessments are conducted by qualified psychologists with experience in psychological and cognitive assessment. Their clinical expertise helps ensure findings are considered within the broader context of the individual.
Assessment Based on Your Needs
There is no single assessment approach that suits everyone. The areas explored are guided by the person's age, concerns, history and the questions the assessment needs to answer.
Strengths-Based & Neuro-Affirming
We look beyond areas of difficulty to understand learning strengths, abilities and individual differences. Our approach recognises that people learn and communicate in different ways.
Clear & Practical Recommendations
Assessment findings are explained in clear language, with practical recommendations designed to help families, individuals and relevant professionals understand what may be helpful next.
Children, Adolescents & Adults
Learning difficulties can present differently at different stages of life. We provide assessment for children, teenagers and adults, taking their individual circumstances and learning demands into account.
Melbourne, Brisbane & Telehealth
Cognitive Assessments Australia provides services in Melbourne and Brisbane, with Telehealth options available across Australia where appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to Understand Your Learning Profile?
If learning has felt harder than it should, you don't have to keep guessing why. A learning difficulties assessment can provide a clearer understanding of strengths, challenges and the support that may be helpful moving forward.
Whether you're seeking answers for your child, teenager or yourself, our team is here to help you understand your options and decide on the right next step.