Dr Hester Howells is an Educational
Psychologist based in Norfolk.
Dr Howells offers independent assessments diagnosing the educational aspects
of Neuro-diversity (specific learning difficulties)
for both children and adults.
The assessment typically assesses one or more areas:
cognition and learning, communication and interaction,social, emotional and mental health
or sensory and physical skills. Individualised
evidence-based recommendations are made for needs identified in any of these areas.
For more information
give us a call on 01362 681 869.

What does an assessment involve?

Psychological assessments involve Standardised tests which relate an individual’s performance on a given test to other people of the same age. The purpose of it is to establish how a person’s performance (on tests) compares to what would be expected (or predicted) for a person of their age and intellectual ability. P4E uses a combination of standardised assessments, psychometric assessment tools, parent questionnaires, teacher and school questionnaires, parent / teacher ratings and self-report measures. These enable Dr Howells to gather a wide range of information, in cognition and learning, sensory & physical skills, social, emotional & mental health, and communication & interaction.

The tests are widely recognised, well researched and approved by the Specific Learning Difficulty Working Party Guidelines.

A typical assessment includes a mixture of discussion plus diagnostic and attainment assessments.

Dr Howells will ask about your/your child’s educational history, work history (if relevant), medical conditions, family history of specific learning difficulties, reasons for the assessment and current difficulties.

If it’s a workplace assessment, Dr Howells will ask questions about the person’s role and go into detail over this.

You will be asked, in advance of the assessment, to fill out a detailed questionnaire covering your/your child’s background history. Dr Howells will go through this with you. This helps Dr Howells to understand your/your child’s difficulties.

Dr Howells will answer any questions you have before starting the assessment and work hard to establish a good relationship so that you feel relaxed.

Typical tests involve different activities for solving problems and puzzles – some use words, others use pictures and patterns. All the tests are introduced with practice items. Testing will start at easy levels so that people experience success. The tests are not like an exam, although some include paper and pencil exercises.

Dr Howells does not mind at all if the person/child wants to have a drink with them during the assessment (non-alcoholic!) and some people like to eat sweets to help keep their blood sugar levels up. Toilet breaks are allowed during the assessment but Dr Howells does ask that mobiles are switched off.

01362 681 869