Evaluations

I. Types of Evaluations

Physical Examination: given by a doctor or other trained medical professional to identify any medical problems which may affect a child's ability to function.

Educational Assessment: determines a child's academic strengths and weaknesses (for example, the child's math or reading skills). This type of assessment is usually performed by the child's classroom teacher or another educational professional. Specific achievement tests can be given by school psychologists to assess the child's school-related skills.

Psychiatric Examination: is administered by a child psychiatrist or a general psychiatrist to determine whether a child has an emotional problem that may affect his or her ability to function. A private psychiatrist's or child psychiatrist's examination usually involves one to three sessions in which a child is seen alone by the psychiatrist and sometimes observed at play. Psychiatrists will want to speak with parents regarding the nature of the problem and the child's social, developmental, and medical history. He or she may also want to see the whole family.

Mental Health Evaluation: is often performed at a mental health center or mental health agency during the child's first appointment or "intake." This is conducted by a therapist and does not include a full battery of psychological or educational tests. The therapist conducts the evaluation by talking to the child and the parents and by observing the child's behavior. Parents will assess the child's problem, describing the problem from their point of view. This information is very valuable; parents know the child best, and competent professionals will realize that they have a wealth of information.

Psychological Evaluation: is an examination and testing by a psychologist to obtain information about a child's intellectual ability and emotional state. A complete evaluation measures four areas of a child's development: intelligence, achievement, personality, and perceptual/motor skills. In Pennsylvania, only a licensed psychologist or a psychology intern under the supervision of a licensed psychologist is authorized to test a child. If the information is to be used in placement decisions at school, the psychologist must be a certified school psychologist.

II. Preparing Your Child for Testing: Tips from Parents and Professionals

Most children will be anxious about being evaluated. This is especially true if a child has been identified for evaluation because of poor school performance or difficult behavior. Anxiety can interfere with a child's performance on the tests. You can help your child by telling him or her:

• why he or she is being tested,
• what the testing will be like, and
• how it will be used.

III. Questions to Ask Before Your Child Is Evaluated

• How long will the testing take?
• What kinds of questions are on the tests?
• Does the psychologist's fee include a visit to your child's school or a conference with another therapist?

Parents Involved Network - ©1999-2004: revised May 2004