What is a psychological assessment?
A psychological assessment evaluates thinking, learning and behaviour and at our office can be completed for children age 6-15 years old. The assessment may include interviews, observation, testing and consultation with other professionals involved in your child’s care. Testing includes pencil and paper tasks, puzzles, drawing, and games. The assessment covers many skill areas, such as general intellectual level, language, memory and learning, problem solving, planning and organization, fine motor skills, visual spatial skills, and academic skills (reading, math, spelling and writing). It also includes an examination of behaviour and emotions and can identify any clinically significant mental health concerns that may be occurring.
Why have an assessment?
A psychological assessment is helpful in identifying your child’s strengths and weaknesses and will lead to recommendations for both academic and behavioural intervention. By detecting problems, an assessment can be used to assist in planning your child’s school program, to identify needs for special services in school, and to help you access resources in your community.
How should I prepare my child for an assessment?
It is important to talk to children about what will happen before any procedure. Children feel less anxious when they know what to expect.
Be sure your child knows that there will be no physical exam, so no needles or medicine. For younger children, you may wish to emphasize the play aspect, focusing on the puzzles and games. For older children, it is often helpful to describe both games and school-type work, but there are no marks or grades given.
What should I bring on the day of the assessment?
If your child wears glasses or a hearing aid, please make sure to bring these to the assessment.
If possible, bring copies of recent report cards and any reports of previous assessments of any kind (e.g. psychological, psychiatric, speech and language, OT). If your child has an IEP (Individual Education Plan), please bring a copy of this as well.
What can I expect after the assessment is completed?
The psychologist will meet with you for feedback to discuss your child’s results.
A written report will be completed, outlining the results of the assessment and the recommendations for intervention. You will receive a copy of this report. A copy is also placed on your child’s record at Vaughan Psychologists.
A private psychological assessment is completely private and confidential. If you require a copy to be sent from our office to another professional involved with your child such as other physicians, therapists, or your child’s school, you will be required to sign written consent to our office to release your records. Sharing of reports and results is always your decision. Children over the age of 12 will be made aware of their rights to privacy as identified by Health Information and Privacy Act.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call and talk to one of our Psychologists.