Educational Psychological Assessments
A private referral service is offered to members of the general public. We provide educational psychological assessments and support for individuals aged five years and upwards with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, as well as associated difficulties such as Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
An educational psychological assessment costs €550.
Individuals may be referred to the National Learning Network Assessment Service by professionals, family members or through self-referral. Please click here for further information and to download the relevant form which should be filled in and returned by post.
Learner Profiling
The Assessment Service has been involved in the development of a unique learner profiling tool covering the full spectrum of specific learning difficulties, which identifies areas where further investigation and support is required. The tool also identifies areas of difficulty associated with study skills such as reading and writing, time management, preparing for exams, and listening and note-taking. It provides practical advice and strategies to support students with their study.
The Assessment Service has been approved to distribute The Learner Profiler under licence agreement in Ireland. The profiler is a unique and innovative computerised tool that helps to identify a person’s strengths and weaknesses in four main areas:
- Reading, writing, spelling.
- Co-ordination and organisation.
- Social and communication skills.
- Attention and concentration.
The profiler was developed to promote a supportive and practical approach that enables individuals to cope with difficulties. It aims to identify those who may require onward referral or more specific guidance and encourages self-reflection in learning and skill development. It also avoids time-consuming and resource intensive assessment.
Benefits of the profiler:
- Administration time is only 15-20 minutes.
- The tool is computerised so feedback is instant.
- Individual feedback is provided to each student.
- Tailored guidance is provided to tutors/trainers/lecturers.
- It highlights those who may have a potential specific learning difficulty.
- It is designed for students/employees/individuals of 16 yrs and over
- It can be used one-to-one or with a large group.
For more information on The Learner Profiler, please telephone Sara McManus on 01 885 1387 or email sara.mcmanus@nln.ie
Individual programmes
Following profiling, individually tailored programmes are put in place if necessary. Using assistive technology and ongoing supports, these individual programmes address any functional, educational or vocational difficulties which may have been identified in the profiling process. Ongoing supports may include organisational and time management strategies, study skills and specialist exam training.
Training and Provision of Information
The Assessment Service provides FETAC Level 6 training on specific learning difficulties at different times throughout the year. Please see the CPD section of the website for further information. The Assessment Service also provides tailored training days for education institutions and companies on request.
In conjunction with the Student Services Officer, at the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, the Assessment Service provides awareness training and support to teaching staff.
The Assessment Service also provides a wide range of information and resource materials on the subject of specific learning difficulties and issues regular updates. To be included on the distribution list, please email assessmentservice@nln.ie