All children have the right to receive an education. Even the little angels who require special educational needs or SEN children are entitled to acquire the same level of learning as with their neurotypical peers- although at a unique medium of instruction. Education is important for special needs children to help them accomplish better quality of life and grow up to become functional individuals that contribute to society. Through individualized education, special needs children are able to achieve their full potential. 

Learning centers aimed at assisting children with their accommodations for SEN are recognized to house educational psychologists to help special needs children excel in school and further enhance their education. On the other hand, clinical psychologists aren’t as recognized in helping SEN children at school. Today, we will be exploring the role that clinical psychologists play when it comes to providing support for SEN children.

The Roles Of Educational Psychologists & Clinical Psychologists

Psychologists hold a special place in the UAE education system for SEN children. In fact, psychologists are part of the proposed personnel for Special Education Departments In Educational Zones in the UAE. They are tasked with addressing specific learning disabilities of SEN children. Both educational and clinical psychologists can contribute to this role. 

In recognizing the different roles that educational and clinical psychologists have, we can first have a look at their work settings. In general, educational psychologists function within the framework of educational systems and are usually consulting schools and academic institutions. 

Meanwhile, clinical psychologists help with addressing the issues beyond the four corners of the classroom. Oftentimes, these issues affect a child’s performance at school. Clinical psychologists fundamentally work in addressing the problematic areas in their life in general as opposed to being academically specific. These allied health professionals work in hospitals, health centers, and private clinics. 

But How Do Clinical Psychologists Support SEN Children?

A clinical psychologist’s aim is also to support SEN children with their learning. This is achieved through understanding other challenges that may be holding a child back from having confidence in their ability to achieve their full potential. In addition, clinical psychologists also help in encouraging the development of positive behaviors as well as work to improve a SEN child’s social and emotional well-being. This ultimately influences the child’s learning at school. 

Assessment is conducted by clinical psychologists often with the help of data from an educational psychologist. Apart from this, clinical psychologists, observe the child by talking to them and evaluate them in their communication skills. 

Interviews are also conducted usually with the individuals that know the child well or are working closely with them. This could be from parents, legal guardians, to caretakers. Assessment is necessary for the clinical psychologist to establish the child’s learning disability. Once this is established, tailored intervention or treatment is planned to address the challenges that the child faces. 

Conducting Psychological Assessments To Further Bolster A SEN Child’s education

Psychological assessments carried out by our team at Pulse Therapy and Learning Center depend on the child’s presenting symptoms and the management is tailored, specific to each child’s needs. Below is a list of abilities that are mostly assessed at our center:

  • Full-scale IQ testing (Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Perception, Visual-motor Integration (such as eye-hand coordination, writing)
  • Attention, Executive functions (such as planning, organizational skills), Processing speed
  • Academic skills
  • Behavioral and emotional functioning

To learn more about our psychological assessments, you can check our blog about how psychological assessments help understand your child’s capabilities better. You can also get in touch with us over the phone to have a better understanding as to how clinical psychologists assist children with special needs when it comes to receiving their education. 

 

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