Why request a psychological assessment?
An assessment is generally requested due to current concerns from parents, teachers, and medical professionals regarding an individual's progress academically, socially, behaviourally. and/or emotionally.
Academic Concerns
For academic difficulties, individuals have usually struggled with one or more core academic skills (reading, writing, spelling, mathematics) for an extended period of time. The difficulties they experience are generally unexpected compared to their abilities in other areas and the education they have received. It is also generally the case that attempts to help them with their difficulties have not been successful (or at least have been less successful than would have been expected).
Cognitive Concerns
For cognitive concerns, individuals may experience difficulty in a range of areas, including difficulties with learning, communicating, managing responsibilities, making judgments, and planning. At school, individuals may struggle understanding new information, experience problems with friends and doing daily tasks i.e. basic self care. Individuals may also appear to ‘lash out’.
Attentional Concerns
For attentional concerns, individuals usually display persistent behavioural characteristics that impact their engagement and functioning in a range of contexts i.e. social, school or work. While the variety of behaviours observed can be extensive, commonly observed behaviours may include: being easily distracted, not paying attention to details, avoiding tasks requiring continuous mental effort (e.g. homework), fidgeting/’squirming’, running excessively, answering questions in class before the teacher is finished speaking, and not being able to wait for his/her turn.