Developed over the past 20 years, the PsychProfiler is a trusted psychology assessment that screens for over 20 common psychiatric, psychological and educational disorders in children, teens and adults. Of these disorders, the PsychProfiler tests for learning disorders in children and adults, including specific learning disorder (SLD) with impairments in mathematics, reading and/or written expression. The Child and Adolescent PsychProfiler (CAPP) allows for three separate respondents when screening: the child or adolescent, the parent, and the teacher. When screening, the Adult PsychProfiler (APP) provides for two respective respondents: the adult and an observer (spouse, parent or friend).
What is a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD)?
A Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a biological origin that is the basis for abnormalities at a cognitive level that are associated with the behavioural signs of the disorder. The disorder creates persistent difficulties learning keystone academic skills, with onset during the years of formal schooling (i.e., the developmental period) and disrupts the normal pattern of learning academic skills. It is not simply a consequence of lack of opportunity of learning or inadequate instruction and must still be present to a degree despite the provision of interventions that have targeted the respective difficulties.
The PsychProfiler psychology assessment screens for the three areas in which Specific Learning Disorder is categorised; impairment in reading (known also as dyslexia), written expression (known also as dysgraphia) and mathematical or number-related concepts (known also as dyscalculia). Individuals who undertake a learning disorder test may show behavioural signs of more than one SLD impairment—this is normal as it means their pattern of learning vital academic skills were disrupted at a young age and resulted in experiencing these learning difficulties as an adult.
The Types of Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) that the PsychProfiler screens for:
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Reading / also referred to as Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) with impairment in Reading. Unlike the common brain fuzzies that we’re told about as kids, dyslexia affects about 1 in 10 people and presents symptoms that can cause ongoing difficulties for both children and adults. Dyslexia symptoms for some individuals may make connecting letters to form words on a page a tricky task which can result in reading becoming a slow, tedious process. Whereas others may experience difficulties when spelling and reading whole words aloud. A common myth surrounding dyslexia is that children who read or write backwards must have dyslexia. However, this has been debunked due to the many types of dyslexia and overlapping SLD symptoms. Testing for dyslexia in children is important as writing disorders often manifest from the very beginning of their learning journey. Children with dyslexia may not be able to recognise, write or spell letters and words, which can make it difficult to keep up with their peers in the classroom.
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Writing / also referred to as Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) with impairment in Written Expression. This could mean one may struggle with writing their thoughts on paper and have trouble writing those thoughts neatly. Others may experience dysgraphia symptoms in having difficulties organising or understanding written work like writing an essay, instructions, emails and notes. Whether a child or adult, testing for dysgraphia using a SLD assessment like the PsychProfiler can be highly beneficial for individual development and if diagnosed with effective treatment, can decrease current and future learning difficulties in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and handwriting.
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Mathematics / also referred to as Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia (also known as maths dyslexia) is a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) with impairment in Mathematics and is used to describe difficulties learning and using mathematical and number-related concepts. For many, mathematics can be a total head-scratcher; however, for individuals experiencing dyscalculia, it can be exceedingly difficult to apply even the simplest of calculations. Testing for dyscalculia using a psychology assessment like the PsychProfiler can be invaluable to recognising dyscalculia in children and adults experiencing even minor symptoms. These symptoms can include experiencing difficulties memorising math calculations, applying math reasoning, problem-solving and interpreting mathematical symbols. When testing for dyscalculia in adults, it is common for individuals to have required extra help or undertaken tutoring during their early school years.
What is the PsychProfiler?
The PsychProfiler is a professional, reliable online mental health assessment that screens for over 20 of the most common psychiatric, psychological and education disorders in children, adolescents and adults. Oriented by the DSM-5, the PsychProfiler helps individuals, parents, and practitioners aid diagnosis, identify a positive path towards treatment, and ultimately, help them live their lives to the fullest.
