What Is An Educational Psych Evaluation?
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Molly Kramer, an associate with KMP Atlanta Psychology. We discussed the purpose of educational psych evaluations, tips on how to determine if you need to secure one, and debunked some of the stigmas and myths around testing. From my time in the classroom, I’ve read stacks and stacks of ed psychs and it was so helpful to gain a psychologist’s trained perspective on the purpose and intention behind this type of assessment. To get in touch with Dr. Kramer directly, read on for her contact information and practice’ s website.
What is an educational psych evaluation?
A psycho-educational evaluation, sometimes referred to as a psychological evaluation, may be sought to rule-in or rule-out the presence of a specific learning disability, processing weakness(es), and/or attentional deficits, or to assist in determining eligibility for a 504 plan or an IEP at school.Test results can guide interventions for academic weaknesses or behavior problems and inform accommodations in school or for the SAT or ACT.Comprehensive evaluations should be thorough, providing information about your child's intellectual functioning, academic skills (e.g. reading, mathematics, and written expression), cognitive processing skills (e.g. visual-spatial ability, auditory processing, memory, etc.), attention and executive functioning skills, and social-emotional development.Re-evaluations are recommended approximately every two to three years.
Why would your child be a good candidate to undergo this testing?
If you're interested in learning a wealth of information regarding your child's learning preferences/styles and strengths, even when the test results do not result in a formal diagnosis;
If you or your child's educator suspect a learning difference or processing issue;
If your child complains of hating school or a particular subject area and/or is performing behind same-aged peers in school; and/or
If you child has attentional or behavior problems that are impacting his/her daily functioning at home or in school.
Stigmas/myths around ed psych testing?
"If my child receives a diagnosis, the label will follow him/her and negatively impact his/her education or reputation." The point behind diagnosing a learning disorder is to help caregivers and educators know which research-driven recommendations can help the child overcome the learning problem. By keeping the problem or diagnosis a secret, caregivers can unintentionally lead a child to believe that he or she should be ashamed of their struggles, thereby negatively impacting the child's social-emotional well-being. Children, like many parents, feel validated and understood when they discover that their struggles are not their fault, as individuals are born with learning disorders, and every individual learns differently!
"If I just wait a little longer, my child may outgrow the learning problem." Children cannot simply outgrow a learning disorder. In order to overcome a learning disorder, a child must receive research-based intervention/specialized instruction and accommodations in the school environment. The earlier a child receives intervention to address a learning disorder, the less the disorder will impact their learning and self-confidence overtime. Younger children also tend to respond quicker to specialized instruction than older children.
"If my child works harder, they can perform better and won't need to be tested." True learning problems cannot be caused by laziness or cured by hard work. Specific Learning Disorders in reading, writing, and math are characterized by neurological differences in the way the brain processes information.
What are 3 helpful takeaways when searching for a psychologist?
Credentials and expertise: Ensure that the psychologist is currently licensed in the state they are practicing and has ample experience in psycho-educational/psychological testing. "Word of mouth" referrals from someone you trust or your child's school can be a great way to find a reputable psychologist. It is important that all test results are explained to you, in detail, after the testing is completed, as well as written in a formal report that you can then share with the school.
Process and personality: Comprehensive evaluations typically involve several hours of one-on-one testing between the psychologist and your child. Depending on the psychologist's process, your child may be tested for a few hours at a time, across multiple days, or all at once. You should ensure that the psychologist's process coincides with your child's needs, attentional control, and motivation. It also may be important for your child to take breaks, move around, and have a snack during testing. You may wish to speak to the psychologist about how they will help your child feel at ease or establish gentle but firm boundaries, as needed.
Logistics: The location of the psychologist's office, timing of available appointments, and cost of the evaluation can be important factors when choosing a testing psychologist. Comprehensive evaluations of high quality are not always covered by insurance, although depending on your insurance plan, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement.
Dr. Molly Kramer is a licensed psychologist with KMP Atlanta. Find out more about her services and practice at https://kmpatlanta.com/ or contact her directly at drmolly@kmpatlanta.com.