Assessment Services
Foundations for Learning offer a range of assessments covering different areas such as Speech and Language, Autism and Learning (e.g. ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia). All assessments are undertaken by trained practitioners and follow a similar pathway. We start with a short (non-billable) conversation to ascertain your needs and whether we can meet them. If we can support, we then move to scheduling assessment sessions and then the assessments. With the assessment results, we prepare individualised reports and then arrange feedback times. Crucial for our assessment team is that the person being assessed feels involved and at ease during the process.
Autism Assessment
Accurate diagnosis is key to ensuring appropriate interventions are put in place as early as possible. We offer autism assessments for children, adolescents, and adults using the gold standard in assessment tools (ADOS-2, ADI-R). Our assessment process includes an initial screening stage where we will discuss with you the suitability of further assessment before continuing. Based on your individual situation assessment can include a mix of client, parent and teacher interviews, assessment of the child’s communication and social skills, questionnaires and direct observations. We work with you throughout the assessment process keeping you updated on results each step of the way.
We offer a range of cognitive assessments which can cover areas such as intellectual functioning (IQ), attention (ADHD), memory and executive functioning. We also offer academic achievement assessments to better understand a student’s learning profile. Together with the results from the cognitive assessments these can be used to identify any specific learning disorders in reading (Dyslexia), writing (Dysgraphia) or maths (Dyscalculia). Our assessments begin by taking an in-depth history and we tailor feedback to be accessible for adults, children and schools. Families also choose our assessments when looking to understand whether their child is eligible for exam accommodations (e.g. additional time for exams).
Cognitive Assessment
Sinead Botterill
Head of Assessment and Autism Services
Dr. Sinead Botterill heads the neuropsychological assessment and autism services. She specialises in conducting cognitive, academic and autism assessments as well as providing consultation services.
Sinead originally trained as a psychologist in Australia before moving to London and completing a professional doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She has lived in Switzerland since 2014 and has worked for Foundations for Learning since 2019. Sinead has worked as a psychologist for over fifteen years and is registered with the Health Care Professions Council in the UK and the Federation of Swiss Psychologists. She specialises in supporting neurodivergent children and adults.
For further information about neuropsychological assessment, autism assessment or autism services, please email Sinead at: sinead.botterill@foundationsforlearning.ch
At FFL, our Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) provide comprehensive speech, language and communication assessments tailored specifically to your child’s needs and environment. Our SLTs are native speakers of English who use internationally recognised, standard assessment tools and clinical expertise to understand how your child’s communication is developing, and provide strategies and recommendations for support.
Your child may be experiencing difficulties with their language (understanding others and expressing themselves), speech (using clear speech sounds), fluency (stuttering/stammering), or social communication (using their language to interact well with others), which is impacting their learning and self-confidence. FFL can carry out flexible assessments to determine what support can help your child reach their learning potential and be a confident communicator.
Speech and Language Assessment
Sandra Rohan-Gates
Head of Speech and Language Therapy and Assessments
Sandra is the Head of the Speech and Language Therapy service and works as a Speech & Language Therapist in the Basel area.
Since starting at the Foundation in 2017 Sandra has been able to build strong working relationships with many International Schools as well as with some local schools and organisations.
Sandra has over ten years of experience working with multilingual children and their families, as well as with children with various communication difficulties including Developmental Language Disorders, Dyslexia, Autism and Speech Sound Disorders.
Sandra has a Postgraduate Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy from City University in London and is registered with the UK Health Professionals Council. Sandra also has a licence to practise Speech & Language therapy in Germany. As a result, Sandra can offer assessments and therapy in German and English.
For further information about Speech, Language and Communication assessments and therapy, please email Sandra at: Sandra.rohan-gates@foundationsforlearning.ch.