How Do I Know If My Child Needs An Assessment?
Maybe a teacher or school administrator mentioned that an assessment could be helpful for your child during your last parent-teacher conference. Maybe a late-night Google search turned up results suggesting you should have your child evaluated. Assessments are time and cost intensive, so how do you make the decision to have your child evaluated?
Here are three tips to help you consider whether or not your child might benefit from being assessed:
Think about the end goal. The purpose of assessments is to better understand why school is challenging, and how to offer targeted support. Simply put, if we don’t know what’s wrong, we can’t intervene. An assessment can have long-term implications on your child’s education. It can help us better understand the educational environment that would best serve your child, as well as how to make that environment as conducive to learning as possible. In addition, it can help us understand the external supports (specific types of tutoring, occupational therapy, individual counseling, etc.) that will benefit your child most.
Consider an assessment as a tool for advocacy. Assessments give us data, and data helps us advocate for our children. Once we have a deeper understanding of what’s going on for your child, we can better advocate for their needs in the educational setting. The results of the evaluation are key for accessing specialized interventions. Would this be beneficial for your child?
Think about your child’s experiences. Parents often ask, “Is my child going to think something is wrong with them if I get them evaluated?” Generally, the answer to this question is no. We usually frame evaluations as “detective work” (for our younger clients) or gaining a better understanding of strengths and differences (for older clients). The fact of the matter is that your child will likely feel validated by the results of the evaluation. It’s powerful to know that you are not the only one experiencing difficulties in a certain area. Often, the evaluation process helps children and teenagers feel better understood and supported.
If you’re still unsure, schedule a 20-minute free consultation to discuss how an assessment may benefit your child.
