The Practice Educational Psychology

Barbara Adcock, Registered Educational Psychologist

Master Educational Psychology, PG Dip. Educational Psychology, Dip. Special Teaching Needs, Dip. Teaching (Higher)

Barbara has worked as a private Educational Psychologist for the last ten years and, prior to that, as a registered teacher for 25 years in both primary and secondary schools in New Zealand. Barbara also ran her own private tuition business, BrainMasters, in Christchurch for over five years in the early 2000’s.

Barbara’s vast experience within the New Zealand education system and in working with children with learning disabilities allows her to quickly identify issues and help children, parents and schools with strategies and programmes to help.

How I can help

When you make an appointment, Barbara will ask you to complete a questionnaire and spend some time at the assessment visit asking additional questions. It is important to get to know your child and ensure they are as comfortable as possible during the sessions. Barbara will also request information from the school and any other relevant reports from specialists and previous assessments.

As an Educational Psychologist, Barbara uses a full range of psychological and educational assessments most of which are licensed for use only by registered psychologists. Your child will be asked to complete a number of activities. These are generally quite different to anything they have done before and unlike those used in schools. These activities are usually fun and engaging for children.

She will usually also complete a battery of tests of achievement in reading, oral and written language and mathematics. These activities are familiar to most children from their school work.

The assessment identifies strengths and weaknesses and how these combine to produce your child’s individual learning profile. The information from all of these sources is combined to provide a picture of what is happening in your child’s learning.

Barbara then provides a comprehensive written report with recommendations. Barbara also provides follow up feedback meetings with teachers at school and referrals to other professionals.

Barbara’s aim is to provide you with answers, direction and support to be enable you to provide support for your child’s learning needs.

What you can expect

Many children experiencing difficulties at school are aware that they are learning differently to their classmates.  Most parents are concerned that there is something missing in their child’s learning and their expectations for their child’s learning are not being met.

Some parents worry about how their child will react to the idea of an assessment. It may help to describe the appointment as going along to see someone who might be able to help them with their learning. Children quickly feel comfortable working with Barbara and she is experienced in dealing with the child’s understandable anxiety.

Parents generally make an appointment directly with Barbara by phone. At this initial contact, Barbara will discuss your concerns with you, arrange appointment times and ask to send you questionnaires. The assessments usually take place over two sessions on two different days. There is a lot of work in each two to three hour session and completing the assessment on one day is too much for most children.

You will be asked to come into The Practice with your child. The office is situated on a lifestyle block with views over paddocks to the mountains and the airport.  The children often enjoy playing with the toys, visiting the chickens or patting Barbara’s little dog, Cassie.  The atmosphere is warm and friendly and most children feel relaxed and comfortable within a short while.

Barbara is able to provide the assessment service away from her office – especially to centres outside of Christchurch. Please ask Barbara about this service.

Mobile Service is available by special arrangement. 

Barbara would love to hear from you – even just to chat about your concerns. 

Please phone her directly on 021 346 472.