My Child Is Struggling At School But I'm Not Sure Why

Learning Difficulties Assessment
A Learning Difficulties Assessment is often the best starting point when concerns are broad or the underlying cause of difficulties is unclear.

​This assessment may be appropriate if your child is:
✔ Falling behind at school
✔ Struggling across multiple subjects
✔ Having difficulties with reading, writing and/or mathematics
✔ Experiencing learning challenges but the reason is unclear
✔ Requiring a broad understanding of strengths and challenges

Common Questions This Assessment Helps Answer

• Why is my child struggling at school?
• What are my child's learning strengths?
• What areas require additional support?
• Are further assessments recommended?​

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My Child's School Wants Detailed Educational Recommendations

Psychoeducational Assessment
​A Psychoeducational Assessment combines cognitive and academic testing to provide a detailed understanding of how a child learns and performs academically.

These assessments are often helpful when schools, families or professionals require detailed educational recommendations.

Common Questions This Assessment Helps Answer

• What is my child's learning profile?
• How do cognitive abilities relate to academic performance?
• What educational supports may be beneficial?
• What recommendations can be provided to the school?

​Areas Often Assessed

• Reading
• Writing
• Spelling
• Mathematics
• Working memory
• Processing speed
• Reasoning skills​ ​​

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I Want To Understand My Child's Thinking, Memory & Learning Strengths

​Cognitive Assessment
A Cognitive Assessment focuses on how an individual thinks, learns, reasons and processes information.
It does not primarily assess academic achievement.
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Instead, it explores cognitive abilities such as:

• Verbal reasoning
• Visual reasoning
• Working memory
• Processing speed
• Problem-solving skills

Common Questions This Assessment Helps Answer

• How does my child learn?
• What are my child's cognitive strengths?
• Are there cognitive factors affecting learning?
• What learning supports may be helpful?

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My Child Is Struggling To Read, Spell Or Develop Literacy Skills

Dyslexia Assessment
A Dyslexia Assessment focuses on reading, literacy and spelling difficulties.
​
This assessment may be appropriate if your child:
✔ Reads significantly below expected levels
✔ Avoids reading
✔ Struggles with spelling
✔ Has difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words
✔ Finds reading much harder than peers

Common Questions This Assessment Helps Answer

• Does my child have significant reading difficulties?
• Are literacy challenges affecting learning?
• What supports may assist reading development?​
  

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My Child Has Difficulty Writing, Handwriting Or Expressing Ideas On Paper

Dysgraphia Assessment
A Dysgraphia Assessment explores written expression and writing-related difficulties.

This assessment may be appropriate if your child:
✔ Avoids writing tasks
✔ Produces very little written work
✔ Has persistent spelling difficulties
✔ Struggles to organise ideas in writing
✔ Finds writing much harder than speaking

​Common Questions This Assessment Helps Answer

• Why is writing so difficult?
• Are written expression difficulties affecting learning?
• What supports may improve writing participation?

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My Child Is Struggling With Mathematics

Dyscalculia Assessment
A Dyscalculia Assessment focuses on mathematics and numeracy development.

This assessment may be appropriate if your child:
✔ Struggles with basic maths facts
✔ Finds number concepts confusing
✔ Has ongoing difficulty with mathematics despite support
✔ Becomes frustrated during maths tasks
✔ Requires significantly more support than peers

Common Questions This Assessment Helps Answer

• Why is mathematics so difficult?
• Are number-processing difficulties affecting learning?
• What supports may assist mathematical development?​

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Quick Assessment Guide

If Your Main Concern Is...

​General learning difficulties

School wants detailed educational recommendations

Understanding thinking, memory and reasoning

Reading and spelling difficulties

Writing and written expression difficulties
​
Mathematics and numeracy difficulties

Assessment To Consider

​Learning Difficulties Assessment

Psychoeducational Assessment

Cognitive Assessment

Dyslexia Assessment

Dysgraphia Assessment

Dyscalculia Assessment

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What If My Child Has Difficulties In More Than One Area?

Many children experience challenges across multiple areas of learning.
For example:

• Reading and writing difficulties
• Reading and attention difficulties
• Mathematics and working memory difficulties
• Learning difficulties alongside ADHD
• Learning difficulties alongside Autism

In these situations, a broader Learning Difficulties Assessment or Psychoeducational Assessment may be a useful starting point.

Our team can help discuss your concerns and identify the most appropriate assessment pathway.

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Do I Need A Diagnosis Before Getting Support?
No.
Many children benefit from support before a formal diagnosis is considered or completed.

Support may include:

• School-based adjustments
• Literacy support
• Tutoring
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
• Counselling
• Parent coaching

The goal is to support the child's needs rather than focus solely on obtaining a diagnosis.

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Still Unsure?

Choosing the right assessment can feel overwhelming.

If you're unsure which assessment may be most appropriate, our team can discuss your concerns, answer questions and help identify the most suitable assessment pathway for your child.

Contact Belong Health to learn more about available assessment options and next steps.
​Our team is here to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here
Book a free 20-minute call with our team

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Related Assessment Services

• Learning Difficulties Assessments Perth
  
• Psychoeducational Assessments Perth
  
• Cognitive Assessments Perth
  
• Dyslexia Assessments Perth
  
• Dysgraphia Assessments Perth
  
• Dyscalculia Assessments Perth
  

Related Resources
​

• Learning Difficulties
• Specific Learning Disorder Support
• Learning Difficulties Checklist
• Signs of Learning Difficulties by Age
• How To Get A Learning Assessment In WA
• Learning Difficulties vs ADHD

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Have a question? or need more information

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us a message

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Frequently Asked Questions - Not Sure Which Learning Assessment Is Right?

What is the difference between a Learning Difficulties Assessment and a Psychoeducational Assessment?
​A Learning Difficulties Assessment is often used when a child is experiencing broad learning challenges and families are seeking a better understanding of strengths, challenges, and possible next steps.
A Psychoeducational Assessment typically combines cognitive and academic testing to provide a more detailed understanding of how a child learns, performs academically, and may be supported within educational settings.

What is the difference between a Cognitive Assessment and a Psychoeducational Assessment?
A Cognitive Assessment focuses on how an individual thinks, learns, reasons, remembers information, solves problems, and processes new information.
A Psychoeducational Assessment usually includes both cognitive testing and academic achievement testing, providing information about learning abilities as well as performance in reading, writing, and mathematics.

My child is struggling at school. Which assessment should I choose?
If the cause of the difficulties is unclear, a Learning Difficulties Assessment is often a useful starting point.
During the assessment process, recommendations can be made regarding whether further educational, cognitive, ADHD, Autism, or specific learning assessments may be beneficial.
If you're unsure, our team can discuss your concerns and help identify the most appropriate assessment pathway.

What assessment is best for learning difficulties?
The most appropriate assessment depends on the nature of the concerns.
Depending on the situation, a psychologist may recommend:

• Learning Difficulties Assessment
• Psychoeducational Assessment
• Cognitive Assessment
• Dyslexia Assessment
• Dysgraphia Assessment
• Dyscalculia Assessment

The goal is to answer the questions most relevant to the child, family, and school.

What is the best assessment for dyslexia?
A Dyslexia Assessment is generally the most appropriate assessment when concerns primarily relate to reading, literacy, decoding, and spelling difficulties.
If broader learning concerns are present, a Learning Difficulties Assessment or Psychoeducational Assessment may sometimes be a more appropriate starting point.

Does my child need a Dyslexia Assessment if they struggle with reading?
Not always.
Reading difficulties can occur for many reasons. A Dyslexia Assessment may be appropriate when concerns primarily relate to reading, literacy, and spelling development.
If broader learning concerns are present, a Learning Difficulties Assessment or Psychoeducational Assessment may be more appropriate.

Does my child need a Dysgraphia Assessment if they struggle with writing?
Not necessarily.
Writing difficulties may be influenced by:

• Written expression skills
• Spelling difficulties
• Executive functioning
• Language development
• Fine motor skills
• Attention and concentration

Assessment can help identify the factors contributing to writing challenges and determine the most appropriate support pathway.

Does my child need a Dyscalculia Assessment if they struggle with maths?
Not always.
Some children require additional support with mathematics without meeting criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder in Mathematics.
Assessment can help determine whether mathematical difficulties are part of a broader learning profile or whether more specific numeracy challenges are present.

What assessment diagnoses learning difficulties?
There is no single assessment that diagnoses all learning difficulties.
Depending on the concerns, a psychologist may recommend:

• Learning Difficulties Assessment
• Psychoeducational Assessment
• Cognitive Assessment
• Dyslexia Assessment
• Dysgraphia Assessment
• Dyscalculia Assessment

The most appropriate assessment depends on the questions being explored.

What is a psychoeducational assessment?
A Psychoeducational Assessment is a comprehensive assessment that explores both cognitive abilities and academic achievement.
It helps identify:

• Learning strengths
• Areas of challenge
• Academic performance
• Educational support needs
• Recommendations for learning and participation

Does my child need a Cognitive Assessment?
A Cognitive Assessment may be helpful when families, schools, or professionals want to better understand:

• Reasoning abilities
• Memory
• Processing speed
• Problem-solving
• Learning strengths
• Cognitive functioning

These assessments are often completed as part of broader educational investigations.

What is the difference between dyslexia and a learning difficulty?
Learning difficulties is a broad term used to describe challenges affecting learning and academic performance.
Dyslexia is a specific type of learning difficulty that primarily affects reading, literacy, decoding, and spelling development.
Not all learning difficulties are dyslexia.

What is the difference between ADHD and a learning difficulty?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that primarily affects attention, executive functioning, and self-regulation.
Learning difficulties relate to challenges developing academic skills such as reading, writing, or mathematics.
Some children experience ADHD, some experience learning difficulties, and some experience both.

Can a psychologist diagnose dyslexia?
Psychologists with appropriate training and assessment experience may assess for Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in reading (commonly referred to as dyslexia) using comprehensive assessment processes and standardised assessment tools.

Can my child have more than one learning difficulty?
Yes.
Some children experience challenges across multiple areas, such as:

• Reading and writing difficulties
• Reading and mathematics difficulties
• Learning difficulties alongside ADHD
• Learning difficulties alongside Autism

Assessment helps build a clearer understanding of the child's overall learning profile.

Can ADHD affect learning?
Yes.
Children with ADHD may experience challenges relating to:

• Attention
• Concentration
• Organisation
• Working memory
• Planning
• Task completion

These difficulties can affect educational participation and academic performance.

Can Autism affect learning?
Yes.
Autistic children may experience:

• Learning differences
• Communication differences
• Sensory processing differences
• Educational participation challenges

Every autistic child is different, and support needs vary significantly between individuals.

Does my child need a diagnosis before receiving support?
No.
Many children benefit from:

• School-based supports
• Educational adjustments
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
• Tutoring
• Learning supports

before a formal diagnosis is made.

What age can my child have a learning assessment?
The most appropriate age depends on the concerns being explored and the type of assessment being considered.
Some assessments become more informative after children have had exposure to formal schooling and literacy instruction.
Our team can help determine whether assessment is appropriate for your child's age and circumstances.

Can assessment recommendations be shared with schools?
Yes.
Many families choose to share assessment reports with schools to help teachers better understand a student's learning profile and identify strategies that may support participation, learning, and educational success.

What if I choose the wrong assessment?
You do not need to worry about choosing the perfect assessment before speaking with us.
Part of our role is helping families understand the available options and identifying the assessment pathway that best aligns with their concerns, goals, and circumstances.