Additional Support for Learning Act

Assessment helps to identify additional support needs and may determine the type of support which is needed. Although ‘assessment’ sounds formal, most children’s needs will be identified informally as part of the nursery staff’s or teacher's day-to-day work with children and young people. If it appears that the additional support needs are more complex, or arise from multiple sources, assessments may be carried out by specialists, such as educational psychologists, audiologists or physiotherapists.

As a parent you have the right to:

• ask your child’s education authority to find out whether your child has additional support needs
• ask for a specific type of assessment and/or examination of your child as part of finding out what your son’s or daughter’s additional support needs are
• have information or advice about your child’s additional support needs. 

If your son or daughter is aged 16 or over, and is still at school, they have the same rights as you. If your son or daughter is unable to exercise these rights on their own behalf, you can act on their behalf.