Learning Assessments
Commonly referred to as an educational or psychoeducational assessment, a learning assessment is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s learning strengths and challenges. It explores how a person thinks, processes information, learns new skills, and manages the academic and emotional demands of school.
Each assessment is unique and tailored to the needs of the individual. However, a comprehensive learning assessment may examine:
Cognitive ability – reasoning, problem solving, verbal comprehension, visual–spatial skills, working memory, and processing speed.
Academic achievement – reading, spelling, written expression, mathematics, and oral language skills.
Executive functioning – planning, organisation, time management, attention, emotional regulation, and task persistence.
Phonological processing – sound awareness, rapid naming, and verbal memory skills that underpin reading and spelling development.
Adaptive functioning – everyday life skills, independence, communication, and practical problem-solving.
Social and emotional functioning – anxiety, mood, behavioural regulation, peer relationships, and self-esteem.
Identifying Specific Learning Disorders
Learning assessments are often undertaken to determine whether a young person meets criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) as described in the DSM-5-TR.
A Specific Learning Disorder is diagnosed when there are persistent difficulties in academic skills that are substantially below what would be expected for age, and which significantly interfere with school performance or daily functioning. These difficulties must have persisted for at least six months despite targeted intervention.
SLD can present in one or more of the following areas:
Dyslexia (SLD with impairment in reading)
Characterised by persistent difficulties with:
Accurate or fluent word reading
Poor decoding skills
Weak spelling ability
Dyslexia is primarily linked to difficulties in phonological processing and can affect reading accuracy, speed, and comprehension over time.
Dysgraphia (SLD with impairment in written expression)
Characterised by difficulties with:
Spelling accuracy
Grammar and punctuation
Clarity and organisation of written expression
Difficulties with handwriting and formation of letters
Students may struggle to organise their ideas on paper, construct sentences, or produce written work that reflects their verbal understanding.
Dyscalculia (SLD with impairment in mathematics)
Characterised by difficulties with:
Number sense
Memorisation of arithmetic facts
Accurate or fluent calculation
Mathematical reasoning
Students may have difficulty understanding numerical magnitude, remembering basic facts, or applying mathematical concepts to problem-solving tasks.
Why Undertake a Learning Assessment?
Families may seek a learning assessment for a range of reasons, including:
Ongoing academic challenges despite effort or intervention
A noticeable gap between intellectual ability and school performance
Concerns about reading, spelling, writing, or mathematics development
Attention and concentration difficulties
Emotional distress linked to school performance
Preparation for secondary school or senior years
Clarification of eligibility for educational adjustments or examination accommodations
Understanding strengths to better guide subject selection or future pathways
Importantly, a learning assessment is not only about identifying difficulties. It is equally about recognising strengths, learning style, and areas of potential that may not be fully reflected in classroom performance.
The Outcome
A learning assessment provides:
Diagnostic clarification (where appropriate)
A clear profile of strengths and challenges
Practical, school-based recommendations
Guidance for intervention and support
Greater understanding for families and educators
At its core, a learning assessment is a collaborative and strengths-based process. It aims to empower young people and their families with clarity, direction, and practical strategies that support both learning and wellbeing.
