Educational Psychology is all about using psychology to help children, young people and adults get the best out of their educational opportunities, to become independent, effective and fulfilled learners for life.
My aims as an Educational Psychologist are:
- To use an assessment process to gather information about:
- The individual, their interests and their views
- Their learning abilities and attainments thus far,
- Their learning environment
- To work with the individual, together with the adults supporting the individual, to devise an appropriate personalised plan to progress with the next steps for learning and for increasing their confidence
- To consider the relevance of specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Non Verbal Learning Disorder, Dyspraxia, ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder. [1][2]
- When appropriate to consider behavioural issues that may be negatively impacting on either themselves and/or others
- To recognise the importance of preparing our children and young people for the world in which they will be adults. This involves:
- Continuing to develop the understanding of the learning skills that are necessary for the digital age
- Awareness of supporting technology
- Encouraging creative and reflective thinking processes
- Encouraging values, related to personal responsibility and to making a positive contribution
- To develop a helpful relationship with any school I work in by supporting the school and teachers in the varied teaching and learning processes that different individuals will require, through consultation, feedback from assessments and training.
[1] If there is a significant likelihood of a diagnosis of dyspraxia or sensory processing disorder, a referral to the Occupational Therapist is appropriate
[2] A multi-disciplinary assessment will be recommended if there is a high probability of ADHD or Asperger’s Syndrome, which will usually include a Speech and Language Therapist, a Clinical Psychologist and an Occupational Therapist