Educational Psychology Otago

For parents of neurodiverse children, this may be of interest…

Tomorrow guys!

We are focusing on social interactions and family struggles around that.

Remember kids are welcome. We have activities set up and a youth worker to support them.

For assessments during Term 2, clients were from a diverse range of towns and cities in the lower South Island - Dunedin, Oamaru, Invercargill and Balclutha.

Some families chose to travel to Dunedin for the assessment and others opted to pay an additional travel fee for the assessment to be completed in their location.

Bookings are now open for assessments. See www.epotago.co.nz or email [email protected] for more details.

Education Psychology - Otago Education Psychology - Otago

A recent parent comment sums up perfectly why I love my job.
Assessments can provide answers as to what is going on for a child and strategies for home and school to support them.
For some who have been searching for answers for years an assessment can be life-changing.

Education Psychology - Otago Education Psychology - Otago

Dyslexia research using MRI imaging shows that those with dyslexia do not use the same neural network route when reading as those without dyslexia.
It is not a result of lack of effort or low intelligence.
Dyslexia has no connection with a person's intelligence, and those with dyslexia often have a strong ability to think outside the square, be observant, be empathetic, and have strong conversational skills.
Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver, Jennifer Aniston, and Albert Einstein
Dyslexic thinking is even now a skill that can be added to a Linkedin profile https://youtu.be/D5Phdr6wUMs?si=jj2JaP_1X7paV_9B
Assessment and diagnosis can provide information on interventions to support learning literacy, as well as support self-esteem and confidence that their difficulty with literacy is not because they "are dumb"

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week
https://www.neurodiversityweek.com
has a great range of free resources for schools, parents, universities, and students.
Different online events available all week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week Neurodiversity Celebration Week aims to bring about worldwide neurodiversity acceptance, equality and inclusion in schools and workplaces.

What does an educational psychologist do?
As part of an assessment we gather information from a variety of sources.
Some of the standardised assessments used can only be administered by people with specific qualifications, such as psychologists.
The different information act as pieces of a puzzle, which are then analysed to work out how the pieces fit together, and give us a clear picture of a child and their learning and/or behaviour.
Every puzzle piece is different and this is why recommendations included in the final report from EPOtago are always individualised.

Education Psychology - Otago Education Psychology - Otago

Excited to see an expansion in the neurodiversity support services offered by Fern Collective in Dunedin
This video offers a great explanation of what neurodiversity is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHzIQxhtY6U

A common question I am asked is "Where are you based?"
The answer - everywhere!

One way I have found to reduce overheads and pass this saving on to clients is to not have a dedicated office.

My aim is to complete assessments either at the child's school or at home. This also helps to reduce anxiety as it is a familiar place for them.
I do have a space I can use if neither of these is suitable for any reason.

For pre-assessment discussions these can be arranged for anywhere that is convenient - home, school, cafe, or over Zoom.

Note - Dunedin-based only. Travel to Southland, Queenstown, and Canterbury can be negotiated.

Educational Psychology Otago is now offering ADHD assessments for 6 - 16 year olds.
Email [email protected] for my 'ADHD Information Sheet' which outlines the assessment process, cost etc.

Educational Psychology Otago Educational Psychology services - assessment for dyslexia etc, giftedness, ADHD

Educational Psychology Otago is now open for business.
Currently taking bookings for cognitive assessments, including diagnosis of Specific Learning Disabilities such as dyslexia, and giftedness.
More info available at www.epotago.co.nz or email [email protected]
Further assessment services will be offered soon.

An informative video outlining exactly what dyslexia is, how to support dyslexic learners and common strengths.
Assessment bookings now open at www.epotago.co.nz

What is dyslexia? - Kelli Sandman-Hurley View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-dyslexia-kelli-sandman-hurleyDyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 people, but the experience of dyslexia isn't a...

The full assessment process takes approximately 10 hours.
Data gathering information is collected from home and school through questionnaires, interviews, observation, and two standardized assessments (WISC and WIAT).
Analysis of results and report writing are completed behind the scenes.
Finally, the report which includes individualised recommendations, is shared and discussed.

This process is used to diagnose specific learning disabilities eg. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and/or giftedness.

For more information and contact details visit www.epotago.co.nz

Thank you so much to all those who have made contact since Educational Psychology - Otago launched two weeks ago.
I have had messages and bookings from parents who are keen to have their child assessed to gain a better understanding of their learning strengths and challenges.
I have also had contact with other services welcoming me and some exciting discussions around collaboration are taking place.

Education Psychology - Otago Education Psychology - Otago

Educational Psychology Otago is now open and taking bookings for assessments.

Assessments provide information about your child's cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and the process includes a report with individualised recommendations to support them at school and home.

Assessments will also identify and diagnose specific learning disorders such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, giftedness, and intellectual disability, if indicated.

Get in touch via the website if you would like to find out more
www.epotago.co.nz

Education Psychology - Otago Education Psychology - Otago