Those most often asked...

My contact hours for phone calls and email enquiries are Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

I offer a great deal of flexibility for assessments that take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Assessments at my home can take place from early morning until late evening. Assessments over Zoom can be offered at any time of the day or night which is particularly ideal for those who do shift work or live abroad (including those living in very different time zones).

For Zoom assessments, I can see anyone regardless of where they live, whether in the UK or abroad. Therefore, I've seen people from all over the UK, Europe and Asia. 

Clients are welcome to come to my home in the village of Crawley Down which is in-between Crawley and East Grinstead, West Sussex. I've also had clients fly into London Gatwick Airport which is just a 15 minute drive away or come down by train from London to the nearest stations (Three Bridges and East Grinstead). The airport and train stations have taxi ranks.

There're many factors that can dictate how long a typical assessments lasts. My assessments are usually spot on 2 hours for under 16s but they can be quicker for those with exceptionally low literacy levels. I always strive for an assessment to feel really chilled (and fun!) but I also intend to make an assessment no longer than it needs to be. Otherwise, fatigue can set in and the results may not be so reliable.   

I ask that you're not with your child during the assessment for a few reasons:

• Because of COVID, I ask that only the person being assessed comes into my house. My dining room where I assess is visible at the front of the house from a safeguarding perspective. Zoom pre-assessment 'hello's are offered to those being assessed to meet me first so they can put a face to a name, ask questions, etc.
• I've found from experience that even the most shy children settle down really quickly as the assessment's kept fun and chilled, and it lasts no longer than it needs to be. Please see my COVID measures page HERE about my back garden cabin if you'd prefer not to drop off/return.
• Children and young people tend to look to their parents for the answers or to see if their responses are 'okay'. This can affect the reliability of the results and less information being shared (such as if a child doesn't feel able to voice their thoughts if they might differ from the parent's perspective).
• In the past, parents found the assessment really interesting but were rather too keen to join in!! This very much affects the realibility of the results and the potential outcome. However, once the assessment has finished, you'll be included in the immediate feedback.

I hold an enhanced DBS certificate last renewed in August 2021. 

Feedback from various sources is definitely encouraged. I'd advise you to speak with your child's teacher or SENCo to say that you're thinking about or you've already booked an assessment and would the school be happy to complete a questionnaire. Sometimes, families have clear reasons why they don't want the school involved or the school isn't willing to provide information. In these cases, I'll ask to see your child's last school report and I'll add a brief note in the report to say that information has come from only the family.

For anyone aged 17 or under, the report goes to the parent who can share it as appropriate. For anyone aged 18+ (including those in sixth form or college), the report is sent to the person named on it although they may want to give permission for the report to also be sent to a parent or employer.

For adults whose reports are commissed by and paid for by employers, the full report will go to the employee only but an executive summary will go to the employee and the employer.

I assess children aged 7+. In my view, it's important to identify difficulties as early as possible so that appropriate interventions can be put in place and the child's self-esteem isn't adversely affected. However, a child might just need slightly longer to acquire those early skills, after which they flourish without any difficulties. This is especially the case with the disruption from COVID. Therefore, I assess children age 7 and above. In very rare and exceptional cases, I will see a 6 year old but only with the FULL involvement and support of the school. Parents must speak to the school in the first instance.

In terms of a maximum age, no, not at all! I see many adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s who need assessments for work, returning to study or just to get an answer to a lifelong question about having some type of learning difficulty. I've assessed several people in their 70s.

When someone has physical difficulties (such as walking, self-care, falls and cooking), it's advisable to seek a medical assessment through the GP or with a private occupational therapist. This is especially the case if the symptoms are new or have worsened.

For dyspraxia to be diagnosed, there must be a longstanding history of motor skill difficulties (i.e., before the age of 12) but it can also affect organisation, planning and coordination. It can be diagnosed as a specific learning difficulty for those aged 16+ by specialist assessors (like myself) who've had the necessary training. Clients can use my reports diagnosing dyspraxia to apply for support through the Disabled Students' Allowance, with employers, etc.

Please note that dyspraxia can't be diagnosed as a specific learning difficulty for those under the age of 16 and it must go through the medical route. Any concerns about motor skills must be raised with the family GP who may refer your child to a paediatrician or occupational therapist. 

The only way that ADHD can be diagnosed is via the medical route (such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist). It's not something that an educational psychologist or specialist teacher can do. I can highly recommend clinical child pscyhologist Dr Selina Warlow and further information can be found here: https://www.drselinawarlow.co.uk/

If you think that your child has ADHD, the first step is to talk to the school as there must be clinically significant evidence in at least two settings for a referral to be considered. I regularly write referral letters that bring together information from screening forms completed by the family and school, background information, my observations in the assessment and the child's own perspective and these letters can be shared with the school. It is important to note that there's more than one type of ADHD and symptoms can go under the radar such as the inattentive type (that used to be called ADD) with symptoms like zoning out, being easily distracted and procrastinating. However, I'm coming across increasing numbers of children and adults who appear to have undetected difficulties with language (such as not understanding what others are saying) and therefore appearing to be daydreamy, etc. may be more linked to language than ADHD.

For those age 16+, I can formally assess and conclude that someone has a profile which 'strongly suggests' ADHD. This is not a diagnosis but it's enough for university students to use my reports on the basis of probable ADHD and apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance. I undertook ADHD training with UKAAN at the Institue of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience in London as well as with one of my professional bodies, Patoss. However, I still write referral letters for adults that can be shared with the GP to seek a formal diagnosis.

Please contact me if you'd like details of private assessment centres / professionals who can medically assess for ADHD in children and adults.

No, I'm a specialist teacher assessor. Many, many years ago, only educational psychologists could formally diagnose specific learning difficulties but specialist teacher assessors who hold a relevant post graduate qualification have been able to do this for a very long time. Being qualified to assess involves holding a post graduate diploma or equivalent as well as having teaching experience. See the 'About Sarah' page regarding my qualifications, experience and membership of nationally recognised professional bodies. It may be helpful to know that neither educational psychologists nor specialist teacher assessors can diagnose ADHD or autism.

Although I've assessed for many years and families are welcome to share my reports at tribunals as evidence of a diagnosis, I don't offer work as an expert witness. This is partly through a lack of specialist training in tribunal work. If you're considering going to a tribunal and you're looking for someone who can a) conduct an assessment and b) attend, I can signpost you to databases to find other assessors.

 Up until 48 hours before the assessment date, you may cancel or postpone the appointment without incurring charges other than the non-refundable £75 deposit. However, please give me as much notice as possible so that I can offer the assessment slot to someone on my very long cancellation list.

If the assessment's cancelled within 48 hours before the assessment date or the assessment can't be completed due to reasons on the day concerning the assessee (such as a child not wishing to continue), 50% of the balance will be due on the assessment date. If rebooking, the fee for the new date will be the remaining 50% subject to any fee increase during that time.