Psychoeducational Assessment

Overview

A psychoeducational (“psychoed”) assessment is an intensive, in-depth process to assess the intellectual and academic abilities of a child who is struggling behaviorally or academically. It aims to measure strengths and weaknesses, specifically in:

Cognitive processing abilities, including logical reasoning, memory, attention and executive functioning

Current level of academic knowledge in various subject areas, overall aptitude and academic achievement around core skills, such as reading, writing and math

Social, behavioral and emotional functioning

Parents or schools may recommend students to seek a psychoeducational assessment. Depending on the student’s age and referral issue, a psychologist or psychometrist may engage parents and the young person in clinical interviews, seek parent-teacher-student input, conduct one-on-one testing sessions (using such techniques as pencil-and-paper activities or verbal responses) and observe (including the evaluation of motor skills, like drawing or playing with blocks).

For many students, a psychoed assessment is the first step to diagnosis, timely interventions and support programs. Results help the clinician understand the student’s potential (if gifted or having a learning disability) and provide strategies to support them.

During the assessment, other concerns, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety, can also be evaluated and recommendations made. The entire process may include the following:

- Students work individually with a psychologist, with breaks to keep up attention and mental stamina.
- Testing is typically conducted over 2 or more sessions, for a total of 8 hours.
- In a feedback session, parents review findings, diagnostic impressions and recommendations.
- A feedback session may include an older child or adolescent, to better understand learning style, with an emphasis on learning strengths.
- A final report connects families to essential services, including occupational therapy for improving coordination and motor functioning, speech therapy and/or other forms of treatment.

Reasons to Pursue Testing

All students go through some learning or school-related difficulties from time to time. For others, a psychoed assessment makes sense if there is:

Sizable, consistent struggling, despite classroom accommodations or receiving additional help

Progressively worsening attitude to school, with students showing a loss of interest in school or a belief they are “bad at school”

Persistently disruptive behavior in the classroom

Failure to learn age-appropriate intellectual, social or behavioral skills

There are a number of reasons to pursue a psychoed assessment, even when a child is successful in school early on. For example, a child suffering from an undiagnosed learning disability (LD) often acts out at school due to confusion, frustration or desire to distract from doing work he or she cannot easily complete or to avoid looking vulnerable in front of peers.

Many intelligent children with LDs may compensate in the early academic grades, successfully “masking” weaknesses for years. Their disabilities may only become apparent once they encounter a more strenuous curriculum in middle or high school.

In some situations, an underlying issue, such as stress or anxiety, may be mistaken as an LD. Other considerations, such as medical history, family dynamics and social behavior, can help determine diagnosis and treatment.

Timing for Psychoed Assessments

Ideally, students should be assessed as soon as cognitive, academic or behavior challenges become apparent. This allows the district or school time to work with the parent and other officials to develop an effective Individual Education Plan (IEP) and other academic support programs at the beginning of the school year. It is important not to wait until late summer or early fall, since IEPs and other interventions take time to create.

Many students with school-related difficulties begin to flourish shortly after being connected with the support they need to succeed.

Learn more about CFI’s Pediatric Assessment Center (PAC)…

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