The Diagnostic Process
Diagnosing your child's learning and behavioral/emotional problems is a complex process that takes much time, study and clinical expertise and judgment. The use of clinically sensitive diagnostic instruments (tests) is essential in identifying the complex and multiple issues involved in the reasons why your child is struggling in school.
Evaluation batteries are determined individually, based on the referral questions. That is why it is important to meet with the parents and/or other referral sources prior to deciding which tests and measures will be used with your child. While it is tempting to rely on a routine battery of tests to use with all students, it is rarely useful. Since students present with a myriad of problems, it is important to use the group of tests that will provide the best insight into your child’s specific difficulties. Often, a psychoeducational evaluation begins with traditional measures, such as a cognitive assessment (usually known as an IQ test). As the testing progresses, the assessment will be focused in the direction of issues that begin to unfold during the testing process.
It is important to identify assessment instruments with the clinical sensitivity needed to answer your referral questions, to recommend intervention strategies, and contribute to good decision-making and positive clinical and educational outcomes. The results of the psychoeducational evaluation lay the foundation for educational interventions and determine how you, your child's teachers and other school professionals can best address his or her learning problems.
Evaluation batteries are determined individually, based on the referral questions. That is why it is important to meet with the parents and/or other referral sources prior to deciding which tests and measures will be used with your child. While it is tempting to rely on a routine battery of tests to use with all students, it is rarely useful. Since students present with a myriad of problems, it is important to use the group of tests that will provide the best insight into your child’s specific difficulties. Often, a psychoeducational evaluation begins with traditional measures, such as a cognitive assessment (usually known as an IQ test). As the testing progresses, the assessment will be focused in the direction of issues that begin to unfold during the testing process.
It is important to identify assessment instruments with the clinical sensitivity needed to answer your referral questions, to recommend intervention strategies, and contribute to good decision-making and positive clinical and educational outcomes. The results of the psychoeducational evaluation lay the foundation for educational interventions and determine how you, your child's teachers and other school professionals can best address his or her learning problems.
