Psych-Ed Assessment

If you are struggling in school and have a cluster of symptoms as identified in the What To Look For page of my site, it’s important that you talk to a trusted adult and let them know what you are thinking and feeling. This could be a parent, school counsellor, a teacher or a family member. Ask to have a psychoeducational assessment. 

What is a Psychoeducational Assessment

Families and youth can be confused or unsure of what a psychoeducational assessment provides and why it can be so beneficial to a student who may have underlying learning disabilities.

As outlined on Psych-Ed Testings’ website, “A psychoeducational assessment (or a ‘psych-ed’ assessment) is designed to identify a child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, evaluate achievement levels, identify learning disabilities, and make recommendations for academic supports and accommodations that will allow the child to do his or her best in school. If a learning disability is identified, the psychoeducational assessment is the basis for developing an individualized educational plan (IEP), in which the school lays out modified learning expectations, accommodations, and standards for monitoring academic progress.”

School districts will only accept a psychoeducational assessment that is provided by a school psychologist who works within a school district or a Registered Psychologist who conducts psychoeducational assessments.

Psychoeducational Assessment - Typical Format 

Session #1 - Initial Parent Meeting:

This session involves the parents and the psychologist, and it is meant to provide the psychologist with an understanding of the challenges a student is experiencing, and it allows parents a chance to express their concerns and ask questions.

Session #2 – Testing:

The testing involves a grouping of standardized individual testing, behavioural ratings, and observations to recognize a student’s strengths and weaknesses as they pertain to intellectual functioning, academic achievement, language processing, and various emotional and behavioural functioning, for instance, inattention, impulsivity, and anxiety. They can also test for deficits in visual perception, motor coordination, and adaptive functioning.

Average # of Testing Sessions: 5

Average Session Length: 1 hour (depending on the individual)

Session #3 – Final Parent Meeting (Feedback):

In this session, parents are provided feedback regarding the findings the psychologist observed and obtained through the various testing. It’s an opportunity for parents to ask questions and obtain answers.

Report Writing:

It typically takes about 5-7 hours for a psychologist to write the psych-ed report, which takes place after the final parent meeting.

Once a final report is provided to your parent, this report can be provided to your school’s principal, who will instruct your parents on the steps involved in having the school psychologist review the assessment and approve you for implementation of an Independent Education Plan (IEP).

For more information on a psychoeducational assessment and frequently asked questions, see the links below.

Gifted Children’s Association of BC_Psych-Ed Assessment (Frequently Asked Questions)

BC Parent - Demystifying Psychological Educational Assessments