Slow processing - how is it assessed?

[workatemylife]

At the end of reception, it was suggested that DC has 'slow processing' and school recommended a proper assessment. I couldn't see the SENCO before the summer so I'm still a bit in the dark. We've already had some SALT support which has helped loads. A child who had problems stringing a sentence together became much more confident and expressive. I thought all was well, but apparently not. So, who would assess for slow processing? And what would the assessment involve? Are there specific tests for a child aged 5.3? School mentioned EP rather than SALT on the basis that slowness in expressive language is not a speech and language issue but a learning disability... Any shared knowledge would be really helpful.

[LIZS]

Yes there are age appropriate assessments which look at different areas of processing- verbal, motor, numerical, spatial, auditory, visual. Often these involve puzzles, patterns or repeating sequences. An EP will be able to look for strengths and weaknesses.

[workatemylife]

That's good to hear. I had searched online and found lots about Wechsler, but it looked as if that was only for 6years and over. Glad we don't have to wait a year. Although an appointment may not be quick to find I imagine.

[youarenotkiddingme]

Yes an EP will assess things like this.

My Ds did some tests with EP and it showed his visual Spacial skills to be in superior range compared to a below average processing speed.

What the results help to do is determine whether a child has an overall learning difficulty or a specific one