Dyscalculia Assessment
THIS SERVICE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO ADULTS
What is dyscalculia?
According to the Department for Education (2018), dyscalculia is “a condition that affects the ability to acquire arithmetical skills. Dyscalculic learners may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers, and have problems learning number facts and procedures. Even if they produce a correct answer or use a correct method, they may do so mechanically and without confidence.”
What does RocketEd offer?
You may be worried that you or your child (age 8 years 6 months upwards) are finding key areas of mathematics difficult, such as learning number facts, mental arithmetic, and/or understanding the times tables, and concerned that this could be an indicator of an underlying mathematics difficulty, such as dyscalculia. We offer expert and in-depth assessments that examine core aspects of mathematics (including number sense, number fact recall, understanding of mathematical language and problem-solving), aspects of literacy (including reading and spelling accuracy and phonological awareness) and cognitive skills (such as processing speed and working memory.) We can diagnose dyscalculia if this is indicated.
Prior to an assessment, we will gather extensive information about the person being assessed from those who know them best. Adults can provide information about themselves but for children and young people this is likely to be you, their school and the child or young person. Information will be collected through targeted questionnaires and a pre-assessment remote meeting with you which can include your child if you feel it would be appropriate.
We are experienced at building rapport to ensure that those being assessed feel comfortable and at ease during so that they are able to show what they can do. Our assessor will administer a range of standardised tests, as well as several informal activities, observing you/your child’s responses and interpreting their scores. Following the assessment, you will be provided with a detailed and comprehensive report within three weeks, often before. This report will clearly outline our findings, will highlight whether or not dyscalculia or any other underlying mathematics difficulties are indicated, and will make personalised recommendations for home and school to ensure that their mathematics needs are supported in the best way.
It is essential that you fully understand the report and after you have received it and had time to digest its findings, our assessor will meet remotely with you to discuss findings in more detail and answer any questions you may have. We would be happy for a representative from your child’s school to be in attendance at this meeting if this is something you feel would be beneficial.
Parents may want a dyscalculia assessment to explore their child’s ability to perform in tests and exams, and to advise whether Exam Access Arrangements may be necessary. We are experienced in assessing for and recommending GCSE examination access arrangements such as extra time, reader, scribe, supervised rest breaks and use of a word processor in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations.
Our Specialist Dyscalculia Assessments are conducted at the home, at school or (at an additional cost) at a location in Aylesbury. The location at which an assessment will be conducted is discussed and agreed in advance.
We also offer combined dyslexia and dyscalculia assessments. Click here to read more about them.
RocketEd’s Specialist Dyscalculia Assessor is Amanda Keen.
