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PSD Referral Information
This PSD Referral Information contains information regarding the referral process to Lewis & Lewis.
It is strongly recommended that you view and download the below document for future reference.
Click here to view and download DEECD Integrated Outsourced Assessment Service Flowchart
FAQ's
1. What if we are not sure whether to refer the student to the Lewis and Lewis Assessment Service?
Lewis & Lewis accepts referrals of students K-12. The referrals are for students who potentially have an Intellectual Disability or a Severe Language Disorder with Critical Educational Needs, and for students in these categories who are undergoing review. Schools can always contact Lewis and Lewis Psychological Consultancy Services by telephone and discuss individual students. Please ensure that you are talking to a Lewis and Lewis person and not the paging service, if it is the latter, leave your contact details - your name, your school, your contact phone number and where known, the nature of your referral i.e. a review, a new student a prep year student. If this occurs a Lewis & Lewis representative will contact you within 24 hours.
2. When is the best time to make a referral?
Referrals should be made as early as possible. If the types of application and their differing closing dates are considered it is possible to be more precise.
|
MAJOR APPLICATION TYPES |
CLOSING DATE |
BEST REFERRAL TIME |
|
NEW - student currently enrolled |
Early term 3 |
Term 1 |
|
REVIEW *currently supported in Yr 6 |
Early Term 3/(End Term 3) |
Early Term 1/ (Term 2) |
|
PREP |
End of February |
Term 4 |
*Because “REVIEW STUDENTS” are known to schools - they are currently supported by the PSD and are in Year 6 - it should be possible to refer them quite early in the year.
For new students transferring into the state government school system from another system in which they received individual support, the application must be made within one term of the student’s enrolment.
Students transferring in and who were not receiving individual support in their previous school are considered in the same category as a new Prep student.
3. Within the guidelines of the Program for Students with Disabilities assessment arrangements, what students can be referred to the Lewis and Lewis Assessment Services?
The agreement Lewis and Lewis has with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Program for Students with Disabilities) is for assessments in the eligibility categories of Intellectual Disability and Severe Language Disorder with Critical Educational Needs. For students seeking eligibility in the categories of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Behaviour Disorder the cognitive and language assessments required as part of these eligibility criteria need to be carried out by other providers e.g. network School Support Services Officers or other relevant personnel. (Regional Student Disabilities Coordinator can offer appropriate advice.)
4. How can we get to know the Lewis and Lewis personnel? How can we establish good working relationships with them?
School personnel will talk to Lewis and Lewis staff over the phone during the referral process and have an opportunity to meet them when they visit your school to complete an assessment. In addition Lewis and Lewis staff offer briefings related to their services.
5. When can referrals be made for assessments by Lewis and Lewis Psychological Consultancy Services?
Referrals are accepted throughout the year. However, schools are encouraged to make early referrals whenever possible. At peak times (e.g. mid to late Term 2), Lewis and Lewis may need to prioritise referrals. Schools are particularly advised to make early referrals for assessments for new students who will be commencing at the school in the following year.
6. What sort of things are discussed during the initial (pre-referral) telephone call?
The purpose of this phone call is to determine:
AND that
In the case of students for whom a referral in the category of Severe Language Disorder with Critical Educational Needs is being sought there must also be: evidence that the student’s hearing is normal and that the student exhibits a significant educational need in another area such as behaviour, fine motor, self care etc. Also, an indication that the student is currently or has been supported by a speech pathologist.
7. What happens if the parents will not sign the consent form?
Without parental consent Lewis and Lewis are not able to carryout the necessary assessment(s).
8. What information is needed to make a successful referral for a student with a suspected Severe Language Disorder with Critical Educational Need?
A request for an assessment of a student with SLD-CEN needs to indicate two things.
Firstly, involvement with Speech Pathology services. Given that the student has a significant language problem which is having a major impact on their learning it is logical that intervention and support through speech pathology services would have been initiated. Generally, one assessment from a referring speech pathologist would support a referral, or at least evidence of intervention.
Second, an indication that the student has a major difficulty in another area. This must be in addition to their language problem. This may be a behaviour problem which has required intervention and support from the network psychologist, or other appropriate agency, self help skills, or gross or fine motor skills. Invariably appropriate assessment results would be required in the relevant area of educational need.
It would also be advantageous if it has been established that the student’s hearing is not a problem.
9. Some students starting prep next year have not attended preschool/kindergarten and gathering the background information needed for a satisfactory referral and/or application, is often very difficult. What do you advise?
While attendance at kindergarten is not an essential factor for successful referral and subsequent application it is desirable in establishing a “history”. Some students with significant learning problems may have received other supports and interventions and proceeded through other agencies and parental endeavours without going to kinder.
10. What is the recommended procedure when a referral is contemplated for a new arrival?
It is a generally held principle that new arrivals require two years to settle and adapt to their new environment. This is particularly so if the new arrival has come from an environment in which they faced significant turmoil. However, if there is direct evidence of a disability, perhaps identified in the student’s previous location, the recommended two year principle would not apply. A paediatric assessment is also highly recommended.
11. Can Lewis and Lewis inform schools if an application for support from the Program for Students with Disabilities will be successful?
No. An application’s success can only be determined by the Resource Coordination Group of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
12. Where will the assessments be carried out?
Assessments will usually be school-based. At peak times (e.g. the latter half of Term 2), if it is convenient to schools, Lewis and Lewis may negotiate with them to have some assessments undertaken at a convenient network/region location.
13. How long will the Lewis and Lewis Assessment Service take to complete the assessment?
Assessments will be completed, and subsequent reports and recommendations will be provided to schools within a short time frame following Lewis and Lewis receiving the completed referral forms and related information from the school.
Additional information
Lewis and Lewis Privacy Policy
Relevant DEECD documents
Program for Students with Disabilities Handbook