ADHD. Dyslexia. Autism. Auditory Processing Disorder. Specific Learning Disorder in Reading, Writing & Math. Sensory Processing Disorder. Developmental Coordination Disorder. Mild Intellectual Disability.
These words are just labels. Beyond the labels are unique children. Each label includes a wide range of abilities with different implications for each child.
As a homeschool parent, we may wonder if an assessment and subsequent diagnosis is worth the investment of time and finances and emotions for both the parent and the child. After all, homeschooling already offers an individual education. We know that each of our children are unique because they are individuals with different learning styles. And we are already committed to providing a customized education for them.
And yet, as homeschool parents, we want to help our children know themselves, their individual strengths and learning styles, so that they can pursue their life dreams knowing what support and strategies they will need to accomplish these goals. Understanding their own learning strengths and abilities will help them grow in competence and in confidence!
What is a Psycho-Educational Assessment and What Does it Include?
A psycho-educational assessment is a comprehensive assessment by a psychologist that assesses your child’s cognitive, academic, and socio-emotional functioning. An official diagnosis is made by a psychologist. You do not need a doctor’s referral to have a psycho-educational assessment. It is most often an out-of-pocket expense for the homeschool family, although some benefit plans will cover some of the cost.
A battery of tests is administered by a psychologist or a psychometrist and includes tests in Verbal Comprehension, Working Memory, Processing Speed, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning and many others, depending on the needs determined through initial intake assessments and results of previous testing.
Once testing is completed, scored, and written into a formal report, often with the diagnostic label and subsequent recommendations, the psychologist (and sometimes, the psychometrist) will meet with the parent(s) to present the findings and discuss the recommendations. Based on the results of the psycho-educational assessment, the psychologist will use the DSM-V (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to accurately diagnose learning difficulties or conditions. This label and subsequent recommendations are very important for your child to receive continued support on their educational journey in a school system and in post-secondary institutions to prove eligibility for accommodations or interventions. A school is
bound to provide an Individual Education Plan (IEP) based on the results of the psycho-educational assessment.
The psycho-educational assessment and diagnosis on its own, is just a label. For you, the homeschool parent, the psycho-educational assessment is like a road map guiding you onto the next steps of the journey.
Interpreting the Results: The Road Map
The diagnosis is a category that can help us understand our child’s learning differences. For homeschooling families, this diagnosis can provide a starting point to help us see our child’s superpower strengths and at the same time, understand their areas of weaknesses. Some of what you learn will confirm what you already knew. Some of what you learn will provide insight on why some things are challenging for your child. Some of what you learn will surprise you and give you renewed hope.
These results will then inform your choices of homeschool methodology, your goals, your curriculum, and your everyday expectations. But, the important part of the psycho-educational assessment is understanding HOW they take in, interpret and process their learning and what obstacles might hinder this process.
For example, in the WISC, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children®, scores are given in 5 general areas and these scores are used to help the psychologist identify and diagnose your child’s abilities.
- If your child scores very low (in comparison to his peers) in Verbal Comprehension, you may not want to use an oral modality to present a new concept.
- If your child scores very low (in comparison to his peers) in Working Memory, you may need to use multiple modalities (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, pictorial, musical, etc.) to help with memorizing and recalling information.
- If your child scores very low (in comparison to his peers) in Processing Speed, you may need to lessen your child’s workload.
- If your child scores very low (in comparison to his peers) in Visual Spatial, you may not want to offer a cluttered, visually distracting curriculum.
- If your child scores very low (in comparison to his peers) in Fluid Reasoning, you may need to offer more explanation and interpretation when presenting and recalling a new visual concept.
- And conversely, if you child scores high in one or more of these areas, you will want to use that strength to compensate for their weaker areas.
The long list of recommendations provided at the end of the psycho-educational assessment will provide you with specific suggestions and interventions on how to support your child on their learning journey.
It is true, that sometimes, the long, formal document can be overwhelming for a parent to read, to understand and then, to apply to your homeschool. You may want to find an educational therapist to help you decipher and identify the important pieces and offer recommendations for intervention to support their areas of need.
Moving Forward with Confidence and Excellence
Think of using this assessment document to help you develop your individualized education plan for your homeschooled child. Homeschooling gives you freedom to offer a wonderful platter of educational experiences, targeted directly to your child’s needs. You, as a homeschool parent, can create the best possible education for your child, regardless of their diagnosis.
Some parents may not want to take the leap for a psycho-educational assessment, as they are unsure that their child requires one. In this case, they might consider a more informal, less costly assessment that can confirm or rule out their concerns and yet give practical recommendations for next steps.
An educational screening assessment is a mini assessment, administered by an educational therapist or a psychometrist, that assesses your child academically in the areas of reading, writing, and math. It can also include a screening for auditory or visual processing difficulties. Both, psycho-educational assessments and educational screening assessments are available at GeerLINKS Educational Therapy.
And finally, you will want to keep in mind that this assessment is a ‘snapshot’ of your child’s intellectual and learning abilities at this time! The brain can change! Diagnosis does not have the last word!
- What’s in a Label? Is Diagnosis Helpful? - March 17, 2024