Psychoeducational Assessments
Help your child succeed in school. Whether they need additional support or academic accommodations, our assessments will highlight your child’s unique strengths and weaknesses, providing recommendations for next steps.
If your child is struggling in school and may qualify for special accommodations in the classroom or on standardized tests, a psychoeducational assessment can be helpful. This testing can identify learning disabilities, ADHD, or other insight that can support academic accommodations or individualized education programs.
What is a Psychoeducational Assessment?
Psychoeducational assessments are designed to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses, evaluate their achievement level, identify possible learning disabilities, and make recommendations, as needed, for academic supports and accommodations that will allow the student to succeed in school to the best of their ability. The process is often referred to as psychoeducational testing or psychoeducational evaluation.
Psychoeducational assessments are the basis for establishing the following:
ADHD diagnosis
Learning disability diagnosis
Standardized test accommodations
Individualized Education Program (IEPs)
504 plans
What kind of testing is part of a Psychoeducational Assessment?
Our testing is customized to meet the needs of each client, and will include a comprehensive approach to evaluate personality, behavior, and cognitive ability.
Our assessments for learning disabilities are designed on an individual basis depending on background, history, and the intended use of the report (e.g., certain schools or organizations may require specific tests). However, a typical assessment for learning disability consists of a combination of intelligence tests, which provide information on an individual’s verbal and nonverbal/performance abilities (e.g., perceptual reasoning and processing speed) and achievement tests, which provide information on an individual’s academic skills (e.g., reading, math, writing, and oral language). Together, these tests allow us to identify discrepancies between ability and achievement in order to gain a complete understanding of an individual’s strengths and challenges and identify possible learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia or auditory and visual processing disorders).
ADHD testing includes a full intelligence test, a test of academic achievement, an assessment of executive function (e.g., planning, organization, problem solving, and decision-making), a test of sensorimotor skills, tests of attention and performance, and a personality inventory. Together, these tests provide a complete picture of the source of any attentional issues.
When our tests indicate that a student is eligible for standardized test accommodations, we work with you to provide the necessary documentation and remain available during the accommodation approval process.
Learning Disabilities
A learning disability is a neurological disorder, often characterized by difficulties in specific areas of learning, such as reading, writing, and math. A learning disability cannot be “cured,” however, the right interventions and accommodations can provide the space for individuals with learning disabilities to thrive and succeed.
Though each individual is different, examples of common learning disabilities identified through assessment are:
Dyslexia (Difficulty with reading)
Dyscalculia (Difficulty with math)
Dysgraphia (Difficulty with writing)
Auditory Processing Disorder
Language Processing Disorder
Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficits
ADHD
ADHD is a common childhood disorder that can continue into adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty paying attention and maintaining focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
There are three subtypes of ADHD, namely:
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive Presentation
Our testing process will provide, clarify, or confirm a specific diagnosis from these subtypes, where applicable.
Standardized Test Accommodations
Students with certain documented disabilities are eligible for accommodations on College Board exams, including the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and AP Exams. Typical accommodations include extended time, use of a computer for essays, and extra/extended breaks, among others. Read more information from the College Board on accommodations.
The College Board requires documentation that shows: diagnosis of the disability, the student’s functional limitation, and the need for the accommodation being requested. According to the College Board, students looking for special accommodations on standardized tests must:
Have a documented disability
Be affected by this disability in their participation in the College Board exam
Demonstrate the need for the accommodation
Receive accommodations in their school exams
The College Board lists seven criteria for acceptable documentation. Read more from the College Board on documentation.
The diagnosis is clearly stated.
Information is current.
Educational, developmental, and medical history is presented.
The diagnosis is supported.
The functional limitation is described.
Recommended accommodations are justified.
Evaluator’s professional credentials are established.
When our tests demonstrate that a student should qualify for these accommodations, we ensure that you receive the necessary documentation and work with you until the accommodations have been approved.
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