SpLD Assessment

SpLD Assessments

The SpLD Assessment Services (SAS) serves as a gateway to DAS programmes and intervention. SAS conducts close to 1000 SpLD assessments every year. Besides assessments, SAS also provides consultations and talks to support the ongoing development of people with specific learning difficulties, including those beyond dyslexia.

SAS believes in providing support to those who struggle with learning, regardless of their backgrounds.

 

We support all age groups, from preschool learners to working adults.

Our psychologists determine the learner’s profile as each learner has his/her own unique profile with their individual strengths and weaknesses. For children who go on to receive learning support at the DAS, it is vital that SAS psychologists differentiate the child’s learning needs even after the diagnosis. This enables DAS educational therapists to select appropriate educational goals that target the child’s needs closely.

SAS also provides clarity to adults grappling with the challenges of specific learning difficulties through consultations to guide them on the next steps. In line with our belief that support should be accessible, bursaries are available for those who need them. Increasingly, we support students in higher learning, and it isn’t uncommon for us to see students at this level seeking assessment services to support their successful learning journey.

We seek to profile the needs of every learner, and for them to discover and understand their potential.

 

Should you have any queries, please call our hotline at 6444 5700, or email us at [email protected]

 

OUR PSYCHOLOGISTS

The SAS comprises a team of Registered Psychologists, Senior Specialist Psychologists as well as Specialist Psychologists who receive intensive training to ensure that they are well skilled to carry out psycho-educational assessments. Besides learners with SpLD, SAS psychologists contribute to the community with their work with professionals from different Social Service Agencies and organisations as well as parents to empower them. Our psychologists are also constantly undergoing professional development, such as attending related seminars/talks, conducting research, presenting at conferences, and inviting consultants to learn from their expertise. We also have a team of Referral Reading Officers (RRO) and Student Services Officers (SSO) who provide screening services and administrative support.

The Specialist Psychologist has a first degree in Psychology and his/her work is supervised by a Registered Psychologist. He/She is trained to assess for dyslexia at the DAS.

The Senior Specialist Psychologist has a first degree in Psychology, has worked for more than 4 to 5 years in the capacity of a Specialist Psychologist at the DAS and his/her work is supervised by a Registered Psychologist. He/She may also have a Masters in the field of Psychology but has yet to attain registration status. He/She is trained to assess for dyslexia and other SpLDs at the DAS.

The Registered Psychologist has been awarded a Masters or Doctoral degree in Psychology from a recognised institution. He/She is registered with a recognised national registration board (such as the Singapore Psychological Society).

The Referral Reading Officer has a degree or diploma in Psychology. He/She supports the processing of referrals to the DAS and is involved in the screening of students for dyslexia. Referral Reading Officers work closely with both the administrative colleagues and psychologists within the team.

Student Services Officers support the administrative functions within the team, such as the processing of referrals, scheduling of appointments, and supporting the screening process. They work closely with the team to ensure the smooth provision of services by the team.

WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT?

A psycho-educational assessment is an evaluation of an individual’s cognitive abilities, academic skills and/or behaviours to determine their areas of strengths and weaknesses. Such assessments can serve to ascertain if a and individual has a learning or neurodevelopmental difficulty, as well as to identify areas of learning needs. Findings from a psycho-educational assessment can help to identify suitable avenues of support as well.

 

Screening Tests

A psycho-educational assessment is different from a screening test. For parents who have sent their child for screening prior to this application, please be aware that results from these screenings only yield an at-risk indication and cannot be taken to be confirmation of having a specific learning difficulty Such a diagnosis can only be obtained through a formal assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, and/or speech and language therapist, depending on the nature of the concern.

WHAT DO WE ASSESS FOR?

SpLD Assessment Services (SAS) aims to be a one-stop assessment centre, where various referral concerns can be addressed. Psycho-educational assessments are conducted for struggling learners ranging from  preschool age to tertiary level students. Assessments and consultations are also available for adults with literacy concerns.

We offer the following range of assessments:

Assessment Type

Age group

Dyslexia

a specific learning difficulty in reading, spelling and writing

All age groups – from children to adults.

Children who are at least 6 years old (For children who are 6 years old, it is recommended that they receive at least 6 months of phonics intervention prior to the assessment)

Dyscalculia

a specific learning difficulty in Mathematics

Children who are at least 7 years old

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

a neurodevelopmental disorder where there is increased inattention, disorganisation and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity

Autism Spectrum Disorder

a neurodevelopmental disorder where there are deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests

Intellectual Disability

a disorder where there are deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning

Children who are at least 6 years old

Giftedness

where an individual shows exceptionally well-developed intellectual abilities

Children who are at least 5 years old

School Readiness

whether a preschooler is ready to access mainstream primary school education Consultation

Children who are 5 and 6 years old only

Other Services

Consultation

Speak to our registered psychologist regarding your concerns and address any queries you have.

Working adults are strongly recommended to consult our registered psychologists before proceeding with an assessment. Please note that an hourly rate will be charged.

Supporting letters

Parents can request letters supporting the application of access arrangements for assessments conducted by DAS psychologists, within 3 years of the assessment date. The first supporting letter following assessment will be written at no cost, and subsequent letters will be chargeable at prevailing rates.
Please note that request for a supporting letter will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM AN ASSESSMENT?

Depending on the type of psycho-educational assessment to be conducted, the tests administered and session duration will differ. The follow details a typical diagnosis process:

One password-protected soft copy psychological report will be provided for each assessment.

Clients can also request for additional copies of the report that can be provided at no charge within a month of the original report sent date, limited to the following quantity:

  1. One additional soft copy (i.e. one additional email)
  2. Up to two hard copy reports within a month of the date that the initial report was sent.

The provision of additional reports will be chargeable at prevailing rates, if the above-mentioned number of reports have been provided, or if requests are made one month after the date on which the original report was sent.