Determining Whether an Assessment is Needed for your Child

There are many occasions in which a parent may want to have his or her child's learning assessed. Often psychoeducational assessments are conducted to determine if a child has a specific learning disability, significant attention difficulty, or mood disregulation. Assessment can be a powerful tool to learn more about a child's strengths and weaknesses and learning style.  Assessments also often provide a solid foundation to advocate for a child to receive various treatments and accommodations to help at school, home, and in the community.

A parent may want to consider having an assessment conducted for his or her child for several reasons including when the parent is concerned about various difficulties learning, achieving academically, behaving, or coping emotionally. In addition, teachers often express concerns that a thorough assessment may help to address.

A parent may want to consider an assessment if his or her child is having trouble learning including:

1)    Consistent difficulty in a specific subject area

2)    Not performing up to his or her ability across subjects

3)    Failing grades

4)    When there is danger of the child being retained

5)    Persistent difficulty despite additional academic support

An assessment may also be warranted if a child struggles in areas such as:

1)    Trouble paying attention/maintaining focus

2)    A parent questions a child's level of motivation due to trouble with homework struggles including homework time being a consistent source of conflict, a high number of missing assignments, incomplete work, or a child forgets to turn in work that was completed.

3)    A child has trouble sitting still for any significant length of time when it is not a favorite activity

4)    Trouble with organization

5)    Difficulties at school (with teachers or peers) due to impulsive behaviors such as talking at inappropriate times or saying or doing things without first thinking of the consequences of a behavior.

6)    Difficulties regulating emotions

An assessment may also be helpful for families in which there is a family history of learning or attention difficulties.

While the assessment process can take some time, conducting a comprehensive assessment can be one of the most important ways to support a child's growth.   Assessments make it possible to determine if a learning disability, attention difficulty, or mood disorder is impacting a child's learning, as well as provides information regarding a child's specific needs and often the most helpful ways to intervene.