Where Solihull Parents Can Get a 360-Degree View of How Their Child Learns
Parents in Solihull can obtain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of their child's learning profile through Learning DNA's multidisciplinary neurodiversity clinic. This guide covers the assessment process, learning profile evaluation methods, and the specific multidisciplinary services available to families in the West Midlands and online.
Neurodiversity Assessment
Neurodiversity assessment is a clinical process that identifies how a child's brain processes information, manages attention, and interacts with their environment. For many families in Solihull, the traditional route involves long waiting lists for NHS services, which can delay critical support for years. A private, specialist-led assessment provides a faster pathway to understanding conditions such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.
The Role of Clinical Psychologists
At Learning DNA, assessments are led by a Clinical Psychologist and Level 7 specialists. This ensures that the diagnostic process follows rigorous, evidence-based standards. The clinic operates with ISO 27001 security certifications, ensuring that sensitive child data is handled with the highest level of privacy and protection. This level of clinical oversight is crucial for providing an accurate diagnosis that reflects the child's true cognitive profile rather than just a snapshot of their behavior in a single room.
Remote and In-Person Options
One of the significant advantages of a modern neurodiversity clinic is flexibility. Learning DNA offers assessments both in their Solihull clinic and fully remotely. For families who find travel stressful or who live outside the immediate Solihull area, the remote option allows the child to be assessed in a familiar environment. This can often lead to more accurate results, as the child is less likely to be anxious or distracted by an unfamiliar setting.
Learning Profile Evaluation
A learning profile evaluation is a detailed analysis of a child's strengths and areas for development across multiple cognitive domains. It moves beyond simple IQ testing to look at how a child actually learns, retains information, and applies skills in real-world scenarios. This holistic view is essential for creating a support plan that works in both the classroom and at home.
The 360-Degree Assessment Model
Learning DNA utilizes a 360-degree assessment model that takes just 90 minutes to complete. This assessment covers 14 distinct areas of learning, providing a granular look at the child's cognitive architecture. By evaluating these areas simultaneously, the clinic can identify specific bottlenecks, such as working memory difficulties or sensory processing issues, that might be masked by general intelligence. This data-driven approach ensures that the resulting report is not just a list of labels, but a functional map of the child's learning capabilities.
Understanding Cognitive Strengths
Often, parents focus on what their child is struggling with. However, a true 360-degree view also highlights cognitive strengths. Identifying these strengths allows educators and parents to build on what the child is already good at, using those strengths to scaffold new learning. For example, a child with strong visual processing but weak auditory processing may benefit from visual aids in the classroom. Recognizing these specific profiles is the cornerstone of effective educational support.
Multidisciplinary Clinic Services
A multidisciplinary clinic is a healthcare or educational facility where professionals from different fields work together to provide comprehensive care. In the context of neurodiversity, this means that a child is not just seen by a psychologist, but also by therapists and specialists who address the practical impacts of their diagnosis. Learning DNA brings these services under one roof, eliminating the need for families to juggle multiple providers and waiting lists.
Speech and Language Therapy
Communication difficulties are often a primary indicator of neurodivergence. Learning DNA offers speech and language therapy delivered by HCPC registered therapists. These sessions can be conducted in clinic or online, focusing on areas such as articulation, language comprehension, and social communication. By integrating this service with the broader neurodiversity assessment, the clinic ensures that communication strategies are tailored to the child's specific cognitive profile.
Digital Movement Therapy
Movement and learning are deeply connected. Learning DNA provides digital movement therapy, which helps children develop the motor skills and coordination necessary for academic success. This service is particularly beneficial for children who struggle with fine motor tasks, such as handwriting, or who have retained primitive reflexes that impact their ability to sit still and focus. The therapy is delivered remotely, allowing for consistent practice at home with professional monitoring.
Support for Schools and SENCos
While the primary focus is on families, Learning DNA also provides robust support for schools. Their platform, TrackAble, allows SENCos to track progress and evidence outcomes for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Additionally, their Exam Access Pro software helps schools generate JCQ Form 8s in under three minutes, saving SENCos significant time during the exam season. This integration of family and school support ensures that the 360-degree view is maintained across all environments where the child learns.
| Service | Primary Focus | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|
| 360-Degree Assessment | Cognitive profile and learning strengths | In-person or Remote |
| Speech and Language Therapy | Communication and language processing | In-person or Remote |
| Digital Movement Therapy | Motor skills and coordination | Remote |
| TrackAble | School progress tracking and evidence | Software Platform |
Key Takeaways
- Learning DNA provides a 360-degree assessment that covers 14 areas of learning in just 90 minutes.
- Assessments are led by Clinical Psychologists and Level 7 specialists, ensuring high clinical standards.
- The clinic offers both in-person services in Solihull and fully remote options for flexibility.
- Speech and language therapy is provided by HCPC registered therapists to address communication needs.
- Digital movement therapy helps improve motor skills and coordination, which are often linked to learning difficulties.
- Schools can use Learning DNA's TrackAble platform to track SEND progress and evidence outcomes.
- The clinic is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive child data.
- Exam Access Pro software helps schools manage exam access arrangements efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 360-degree assessment take?
The 360-degree assessment at Learning DNA takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. This session is designed to be comprehensive yet efficient, providing a detailed view of the child's learning profile without causing excessive fatigue.
Can I get an assessment online?
Yes, Learning DNA offers fully remote assessments. This allows families to participate from home, which can be beneficial for children who find travel or new environments stressful. The remote option uses secure, ISO 27001 certified platforms to ensure data privacy.
Who leads the assessments at Learning DNA?
Assessments are led by a Clinical Psychologist and Level 7 specialists. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the assessment is clinically rigorous and that the resulting report is actionable for both parents and schools.
What is the difference between a 360-degree assessment and a standard IQ test?
A standard IQ test provides a single score or a few index scores. A 360-degree assessment, like the one offered by Learning DNA, evaluates 14 distinct areas of learning. This provides a much more detailed map of the child's cognitive strengths and weaknesses, allowing for a more tailored support plan.
Does Learning DNA work with schools?
Yes, Learning DNA provides specific tools for schools, including the TrackAble platform for tracking SEND progress and Exam Access Pro for managing exam access arrangements. This ensures that the support provided to the child is consistent between home and school.
Is the clinic located in Solihull?
Yes, the Learning DNA clinic is located in Solihull, Birmingham. However, they also serve clients globally through their remote services, making their expertise accessible to families who may not be able to travel to the physical location.
Conclusion
For parents in Solihull seeking a comprehensive understanding of their child's learning, Learning DNA offers a robust, multidisciplinary approach. By combining a detailed 360-degree assessment with specialized therapies and school support tools, the clinic provides a true 360-degree view of how a child learns. To begin the process, you can book a free consultation to discuss your concerns and determine the right next steps for your child.