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Back-To-School Success Psychological Testing Can Unlock Academic/Social Achievement
Psychological testing can offer very valuable clues to getting your son or daughter on the right track this next school year, especially if suspect a disparity of high level of intellectual functioning with academic underperformance or social conflict. While this combination can result in frustration for children and parents in the short-term, if prolonged, long-term consequences may result. Severe academic resistance and/or unrelenting social rejection may be very hard to overcome once the damage is incurred. So–the key is to ACT FAST.
Psychological testing has the ability to identify any underlying roadblocks to efficient cognitive and behavioral functioning. It also helps parents and teachers unlock the natural abilities of a seemingly underperforming or uncooperative child.
Many schools offer some form of testing but generally a child is already experiencing severe academic or social distress before being referred. Also, these tests may not be as detailed or comprehensive as those offered by licensed clinical psychologists.
When getting your child tested, it is most important to undergo a battery of tests, for when their results are combined, a very detailed, comprehensive picture of the individual's strengths and areas for improvement emerges. One popular psychometric test, the WAIS-IV, quantifies several areas of cognitive functioning and can be very informative–but it is only one piece to the puzzle.
Psycho-Educational Testing
Testing can be broken down into two categories psycho-educational and neuropsychological. Psycho-educational tests such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children and adolescents (e.g. WISC) measure cognitive functioning such as processing speed, working memory, and problem solving skills. Detecting the presence of a learning disorder or other academic difficulties helps students develop a lesson plan to allow for optimal performance.
Neuropsychological Testing
Neuropsychological testing is more comprehensive and uncovers how an individual's specific brain functions (e.g. memory, attention, language) and how it impacts a child's cognitive and behavioral functioning.
Results of neuropsychological evaluations reveal strengths and weaknesses of the individual's cognitive or psychological difficulties. Additionally, neuropsychological testing can also evaluate the deleterious effects head trauma such as concussion injury may have on brain functioning. Such testing can unveil causes of cognitive deficiencies and tailor a treatment plan to promote healthy brain functioning and rehabilitation.
Pursuing psychological testing is very important especially for individuals experiencing distress in academic or social settings. It is especially important to have this information prior to the start of the school year so parents and teachers can work with the individual and foster environment allowing for the child to meet their potential.
Parent should interview and find an independent, licensed and experienced psychologist with a good rapport with the child's age group to enhance obtaining valid, appropriate test results. Not all test providers will resonate with each child.
Hotwiring A Successful School Year
By taking matters into their own hands-and supported by independent, professional reports and recommendations–parents can quickly partner with teachers and others to create a tailored plan for school success. Together with your school age child or teen, you can jump start success and promote confidence this academic year-and beyond.
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