A Psychoeducational Evaluation is recommended whenever a child may have a suspected impairment in learning, cognitive functioning, or social-emotional/ behavioral development. Psychoeducational Evaluations can help to clarify whether the difficulties a child may be facing could be due to an underlying medical or behavioral disorder that may be significantly impacting their functioning.
Psychoeducational Evaluations are conducted using an approach that utilizes a battery of individual cognitive tests and rating scales that can provide insight into the individual’s functioning. Typically, cognitive/intellectual functioning, executive functioning, academic ability, attention, language, memory, visuospatial processing, fine motor abilities, and behavioral functioning are assessed. Through examining each area, the examiner is then able to provide a comprehensive picture of an individual’s functioning and determine if there may be any clinical conditions present. Assessments can also provide information that is used to craft recommendations for accommodations and/or treatment.
The Assessment Process
The goal of the assessment process is to obtain comprehensive information regarding a child’s past and current functioning. Data can be collected through interviews, observations, prior records, and the administration of various cognitive and social-emotional/behavioral measures.
The evaluation process will typically start out with a quick consult call in order to determine if an assessment is the appropriate course of action for a child at that time. Afterwards, an intake is scheduled between the evaluator and the child’s parents. Parents are encouraged to bring (or send ahead of time) any documentation of their child’s developmental and academic progress. This can include report cards, previous testing, or any other information related to the areas of concern. The evaluator will then conduct an interview to gather additional information to inform the evaluation. After the intake, the evaluator will meet with the child to begin testing. Testing typically occurs over 2-3 sessions and can take anywhere from 4-7 hours depending on the child and the referral concerns. If the child is struggling in school, the evaluator may also do a classroom observation prior to testing or request a Release of Information to speak with the child’s teacher or other school personnel. If the parents do not wish for the school to be involved, that can be accommodated as well.
Follow-Up
Following testing, the evaluator will complete a Psychoeducational Evaluation Report detailing the information that was collected, the results of any evaluation measures, and their conclusions regarding the child’s functioning. Based on the results, the evaluator will also provide recommendations for next steps and any accommodations and/or interventions that are recommended to benefit the child. The evaluator will also meet with the family to provide feedback regarding the evaluation results and recommendations. The time between testing and the final report typically takes 4-6 weeks, but the evaluator may also be able to provide preliminary results sooner if there are immediate needs.
The evaluator has specialized training and experience in working with families to navigate the Special Education/Section 504 processes at schools and can help families through the process for obtaining accommodations for standardized testing as well (where applicable).