What kind of tests will be given my child?

The components of your child’s psychoeducational evaluation depend on your concerns and the needs of your

child. The following is a brief description of what your child’s psychoeducational evaluation may include:

Usually referred to as IQ tests, intelligence tests are norm referenced, standardized, diagnostic tools that

broadly measure traits which predict academic success. The tests most commonly used provide an overall

score or estimate of your child’s ability to learn what is typically taught in school. Intelligence tests can

include a combination of the following: verbal/language based tasks, nonverbal problem solving skills, short

term auditory memory, and processing speed. Subtests involved can be both timed and untimed.

These tests measure academic skills acquired through schooling (basic skills needed to master reading,

math, writing, and oral language tasks). Subtests can be both timed and untimed.

These tests measure how your child uses information when learning. Areas may involve: language,

long term memory, short term memory, working memory, visual spatial skills, visual motor integration

skills, auditory processing, and processing speed. Subtests can be both timed and untimed.

These usually refer to checklists or rating scales which can be completed by parents, teachers, and the

student. These tools can show how a student’s behavior is perceived in different settings by different

individuals. The rating scales can also indicate how a child perceives his or her own behavior. However,

there are drawbacks to consider. Results from behavior rating scales are only accurate if the adults (parents,

teachers, therapists, etc.) and the student completing them respond honestly to the questions posed. As rating

scales are “subjective”, various individuals can rate the same student very differently.

These include rating scales, questionnaires, and projective procedures which measure your child’s

personality traits, behavior at home and school, and emotional adjustment. Questionnaires or interviews

involve asking your child about his or her feelings in specific situations, and about fears and concerns, etc.

Projective procedures indirectly evaluate your child’s personality and feelings via pictures, stories, etc. Your

child’s responses can indicate underlying personality traits, fears, life stressors, anxiety, etc. Keep in mind

that interpretation of these measures is very subjective.

These instruments measure your child’s development in the areas of adaptive skills,

social emotional functioning, communication, cognitive abilities, and motor skills.