Unlocking potential through understanding

Our comprehensive educational psychology assessments provide an in-depth understanding of your child’s cognitive profile, learning strengths and social and emotional wellbeing. The assessment findings are used to inform tailored recommendations and meaningful support strategies across educational and everyday settings.

Educational Psychology Assessments

Understanding how they learn.

Difficulties often arise not from ability, but from a mismatch between the individual, their learning approach, and their environment. Our assessments use psychological insight to better understand a child’s cognitive profile, how they best learn and give recommendations regarding tailored learning interventions.

Literacy & Numeracy

Identifying specific learning differences such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia, alongside patterns of attainment and progress.

Cognition & Executive Function

Understanding cognitive strengths and differences, including working memory, processing speed, attention, and executive functioning.

social, emotional & mental health (SEMH)

Looking beyond behaviour to understand underlying needs. We identify emotional and environmental barriers to learning and provide therapeutic and practical recommendations to support a child’s access to the curriculum.

Support, Adjustments & Outcomes

Providing clear, evidence-based recommendations to inform bespoke interventions, reasonable adjustments (including exam access arrangements) and support EHCP applications, reviews, and provision planning.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH)

Behaviour is communication.

We look beyond behaviour to understand the underlying need. Rather than viewing behaviour as “disruptive,” we explore what it may be communicating, whether it is driven by anxiety, sensory processing differences, past experiences or unmet needs. This approach enables us to:

  • Identify emotional and environmental barriers to learning
  • Understand the function and meaning behind behaviour
  • Make recommendations to support changes in the child’s learning environment, adjust teacher and parental expectations, and support the implementation of therapeutic approaches

We also specialise in working with those children whose unmet needs result in them developing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA). In these scenarios we support families and schools to better understand need and develop a more bespoke learning environment.

Psychologist talking with child

Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology

At AYC, we have extensive experience supporting children and young people with complex presentations, including Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), and Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) provision. Our team understands the nuanced and individual nature of these profiles and the significant impact they can have on education, wellbeing, and daily functioning.

We provide comprehensive, evidence-based assessments and professionally written reports that clearly identify needs, recommended provision, and appropriate educational support. Our Educational Psychologists are experienced in contributing to mediation and SEND tribunal processes, including providing expert witness reports and professional opinion where required.

Families choose AYC for our clinical expertise, detailed understanding of complex SEND presentations, and our ability to produce clear, robust recommendations that are recognised across educational and legal settings. Our approach is compassionate, thorough, and focused on achieving meaningful, long-term outcomes for children, young people, and their families.

Download your referral form

Expert insight for complex needs.

Whether for school support, a tribunal, or legal proceedings, our Chartered Psychologists provide robust, evidence-based reports.

Have a question?