Educational psychologist

Educational psychologists look at how a child learns and copes in nursery, school or college. They observe your child, talk to you and to staff, and use assessments to build a picture of what your child finds hard and what they are good at. They then advise on changes to teaching and support.

You usually reach one through school: ask the SENCO SENCO The teacher in your child's school who leads support for children with special educational needs. They are usually the quickest person for a parent to reach. Read the full definition of SENCO whether the school can request educational psychology involvement. Waits vary a lot, and being told your child is on the EP's list can mean a long wait. You can also pay for an independent educational psychologist.

In England, if the local authority Local authority Your local council. In England, Wales and Scotland, this is the body you ask to assess what extra help your child needs. Read the full definition of Local authority carries out an EHC needs assessment EHC needs assessment The process, in England, where the local authority looks in detail at your child's needs and decides whether to write an EHCP. You can ask for one yourself. Read the full definition of EHC needs assessment , it must ask an educational psychologist for advice as part of it. Educational psychologists can identify specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. They do not diagnose autism or ADHD on their own, although a psychologist often sits in the assessment team.