What is a Psychological Assessment?

A psychological assessment is usually done to understand why a child or teen, or occasionally an adult, doesn’t seem able to learn as well as would be expected, and to suggest ways of approaching the difficulties.

An individually administered test of intelligence is usually given, often the Wechsler Intelligence Scale of Intelligence for Children-IV, although others are available for this purpose.

Tests of academic skills are also given, such as the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (the WIAT) and the Peabody Individual Achievement Test (the PIAT).

Sometimes, parents or teachers are asked to rate the child’s or teen’s behaviour in an attempt to identify difficulties such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, oppositional behaviour, depression, or anxiety. The Conners 3rd Edition and The Behavior Assessment System for Children-II (BASC-II) are common rating scales used for this.

If your child or teen receives a diagnosis of a learning disorder, she or he may be eligible for extra services, such as adaptations to learning materials or to the classroom situation.

The Psychological Associate will explain the results of the assessment to you. You should feel free to ask any questions you need to in order to understand these results and their implications.

You also have the right to a copy of the report written on the assessment.

For a longer and more technical explanation of psychological assessment, this link may be helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_testing