Psychoeducational Assessment
Our team of child psychologists find that children enjoy the assessment process. It is one-on-one time that is entirely positively reinforcing where your child has fun and feels good about themselves afterwards.
It is our goal to form a connection with your child though the six hours of assessment time and bring out the best in them, ensuring they do not feel as though they are being “assessed.”
No two assessments are alike. Each assessment is personalized to thoroughly investigate the needs and symptoms demonstrated by each child. Generally, the process of a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment is as follows:
Initial Assessment Consultation
PARENTS ONLY
(IN PERSON or VIRTUAL)
We begin the assessment process with a 1-hour intake meeting with parents only, in which we discuss the details of some of the challenges you and your child are facing and relevant history.
School Assessment or Teacher Observation
Next, we like to observe your child in a naturalistic setting (such as school or daycare) to ascertain how they behave in their “natural environment.” This is a very helpful component to the assessment process. Typically, we prefer to schedule the observation prior to initiating the in-office assessment sessions with your child. When a school observation is not possible, we can also obtain any relevant third party information through a teacher phone consult.
Standardized Checklists & Document Review
We ask that report cards are provided for the last three academic years, in addition to any previous school documentation such as behavioral support plans or Individual Program Plans, or any previous assessments/reports from allied health professionals. If parents consent, psychologists like to send standardized checklists to notable third parties, such as teachers, in addition to parents.
Standardized Testing
CHILD ONLY
(IN PERSON)
The face-to-face testing portion of the assessment incorporates several standardized testing measures with the child only. This process is typically arranged in three 2-hour appointments (totaling 6 hours), however, that is dependent on the age and needs of your child.
Parent Feedback Meeting
The final appointment is a 1.5-hour feedback meeting with parents only in which the parents sit down with the psychologist and discuss the important findings from the assessment process. Any clinical diagnoses, as well as strategies and resources for moving forward, will be discussed. Often, parents will ask if we can also provide feedback meetings to school personnel, such as teachers and learning strategists.
Comprehensive Psychological Report
Our psychological reports stand out from the rest. They are detailed and thorough and assist parents, schools, and doctors/pediatricians understand the root of issues through a new lens. The psychological report comprehensively summarizes all findings, results, and recommendations. This formal document is shared with parents, who then typically share it with allied professionals. There is a flat rate of 6 hours for report writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Assessment and counselling psychologists are very different in terms of their graduate training and expertise. Psychoeducational assessments should only be conducted by psychologists who specialized in clinical assessment and diagnosis through their masters or Ph. D training, and not counselling psychologists.
The child psychologists at Westside Child Psychology are formally trained in pediatric assessment first and foremost, whereby the assessment psychologists come from graduate programs that specialize in the assessment and diagnosis of children and adolescents.
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When explaining a psychoeducational assessment to your child, refrain from using the word test or testing. During the assessment process, your child will not feel ‘tested.’ Instead, they will thrive in the one-on-one positively reinforcing time spent with their psychologist and be looking forward to their next session. During the process of an assessment, many tasks and activities are engaged in, such as solving puzzles, using blocks, drawing, and using iPads. This should be the focus of the explanation to your child. That they will be doing different activities and games to better understand how they best learn.
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There are no tasks or training program that can prepare your child for the assessment process. Rather, ensure that your child is well rested, is feeling well, and has had a healthy breakfast or lunch. Make sure your child is wearing any prescribed glasses. Be sure to talk to your psychologist about any medications your child may be taking. Snacks, popcorn, water, juice, and even hot chocolate with marshmallows can be indulged in while at the office with parental permission.
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The assessment process can vary significantly depending on the age of your child and the issues being investigated. A thorough assessment should include measures of cognitive functioning, academic achievement, visual-motor integration, fine-motor skills, social-emotional functioning, and neuropsychological testing. In the end, the psychologist will be able to reliably and validly pinpoint the issues and explain why they are occurring.
Generally, a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment is as follows:
Initial Parent Intake (1 hour)
School Observation or Teacher Consult
Assessment 1 of 3: (2 hours)
Assessment 2 of 3: (2 hours)
Assessment 3 of 3: (2 hours)
Parent Feedback Meeting (1.5 hours)
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Psychologists are ethically bound to keep the assessment information and results obtained confidential and not shared with any third parties unless there is written consent provided. Parents are encouraged to share their psychoeducational report with their child’s school, doctors, pediatricians, or any allied health professionals.
Assessment reports are provided through a password protected PDF document. Paper copies can also be printed and provided for pick-up at the office.