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Up-to-date Assessment Tools
Learning Links provides valuable diagnostic and intervention services to children with learning difficulties. A large contributor to our success is founded on our ability to access and utilise the most current standardised assessment measures.
Standardised measurement tools allow us to accurately determine children's learning needs and construct and deliver an effective program of intervention.
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Learning Links' specialist educators, therapists and psychologists need tools to accurately assess children's learning problems so that a special education and therapy plan can be developed to address each child's individual needs. We currently need the following tools.
Assessment tools needed |
Cost |
How many do we need? |
WIAT |
$1558.05 |
One |
STANFORD BINET 5 |
$2877 |
One |
PAL (Process Assessment of the Learner) |
$1922.25 |
Two |
PLS 4 |
$800.25 |
Four |
CELF 4 Ages 5 to 21 |
$518 |
Three |
DEAP (Articulation and phonology) |
$934.65 |
Four |
CASL (Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language) |
US$375 |
Two |
Renfrew Action Picture Test |
UK£24.99 |
Two |
CELF Preschool Scale |
$990.50 |
One |
BOT2 |
US$772 |
One |
Sensory Profile |
$449.40 |
Two |
Miller Function & Participation Scales |
$959.75 |
Two |
We also need forms for all the tests and these can cost Learning Links up to $800 per year per branch. Any donation to help our branches with this vital expense is appreciated.
Research shows that at least one in five children has a learning disability, difficulty or developmental delay (Westwood & Graham, 2000). This means five to six children in a class of 30 will struggle at school.
Learning problems can be the result of intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities or significant illnesses, such as cancer, which have resulted in substantial treatment and long absences from school. For some children, their academic performance is well below that of their peers but there is no obvious cause for their difficulty.
Overwhelming research indicates that identifying these problems earlier rather than later is important to a child's future. Determining the nature of the difficulties allows for early intervention which makes a significant difference to their development and reduces the need for special education services later in life (NSW Parliament Legislative Council, 2003; Rossetti, 1996).
Unfortunately, many children with learning difficulties fall through the gap and are either not identified or must wait for identification by their school counsellors, who are often under-resourced and have waiting lists of up to 9 months (NSW Parliament Legislative Council, 2003).
Without identification and the opportunity of therapy and/or educational support, children can face bleak futures with a higher risk of problematic behaviour, delinquency and criminality, school truancy and drop-out, unemployment, drug abuse, poor social relations and poor self esteem and depression (Holborrow & Neville, 1999). Such outcomes cast this issue as a critical one for society as a whole.
Donations to Learning Links are tax deductible and receipted.
How do I give?
Please send a cheque or your credit card details to:
Learning Links
12-14 Pindari Road
Peakhurst NSW 2210
(specifying that your donation is for "Up-to-date Assessment Tools")
Or simply fill out the online donations form.
Is there an allowance for administrative fees? No, all money goes directly to fund Up-to-date Assessment Tools..
Contact details for further information:
Robyn Collins, General Manager, Marketing & Fundraising
Telephone: (02) 8525 8249
Fax: (02) 9584 2054
Email: rcollins@learninglinks.org.au
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