Psycho-Educational Assessments

Typically, an individually administered IQ test AND an individually administered achievement test are given. Additional tests are often incorporated, but these tests will vary depending upon the specific reason(s) for the assessment.

• Detect learning disorders
• Establish giftedness
• Evaluate the appropriateness of grade skipping / grade acceleration
• Determine if a person meets certain admission requirements for school
• Inform IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)
• Assess for types of developmental delays
• Screen for neurological difficulties

Psycho-educational assessments pinpoint cognitive strengths as well as relative weaknesses. This is important because recommendations should emphasize the use of a person’s strengths to assist in overcoming or navigating around their areas of weakness.

Learning disorders are typically diagnosed when there is a large discrepancy between raw potential (IQ) and demonstrated academic achievement.

To establish giftedness, an appropriate and individually administered IQ test is considered essential. For an extremely gifted child, the option of grade skipping or grade acceleration can be explored. When considering acceleration, it is important to assess numerous factors using additional measures to determine if acceleration is more likely to benefit or distress the individual.

Some private schools have strict admission requirements with respect to IQ and academic achievement scores. Psychologists and other qualified professionals may be asked to document test performance.

When a person has fallen behind in school or has other academic challenges such as learning disorders, they may receive an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). IEPs can be informed by the findings of psycho-educational assessments. These assessments determine cognitive strengths and weaknesses, the ways in which the brain processes information, the use of compensatory strategies, neurological challenges, and important emotional responses to various academic tasks and challenges.

Psycho-educational assessment is an important component of evaluations for developmental delays. Such assessments determine if there are significant discrepancies between chronological age and expected academic, cognitive, and social/emotional development. Measures in addition to IQ and achievement testing should always be used when determining the presence or absence of developmental delays.

Psycho-educational assessments provide many opportunities to detect neurological impairment. If a psychologist who does not specialize in neuropsychology finds signs of neurological difficulty, they should make a referral to a neuropsychologist and/or a neurologist.

Finally, the term psycho-educational assessment sounds intimidating. However, the majority of children, teens, and adults describe psycho-educational tests as “challenging but fun.” Dr. Turner is skilled at guiding test-takers through the process and reducing their anxiety.

© 2009 Dr. Eva Turner  | All rights reserved.