complex health, and learning challenges  

Some parents may have questions about whether their child's level and rate of academic progress is comparable to their peers, or may be concerned with their child's overall progress. Other parents may see their child "try their hardest" yet their child still doesn't get the grades they expect. Again others might be seeking assessment to determine whether their child has a specific learning disorder (SLD) that is affecting academic progress. 

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Assessment differs depending on its purpose. An assessment that has been requested to determine if a child has a SLD may look slightly different to an assessment seeking to gather information about individual learning strengths weaknesses or gaps in learning.

There is no set time as to when an assessment should happen. For most students, the earlier an assessment occurs, the better. This will allow for more targeted support to be put in place as soon as possible. Children in the early years of school would benefit from an assessment of their developing skills to highlight any areas of potential weakness and older students are likely to benefit from an assessment of their current academic functioning to allow for better supports and accommodations to be utilised at school and at home.