Psychometric testing can be a very costly and timely process. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of what makes a good assessment so that your child's needs can be best supported.
If you've already done some research into where to get your child assessed, you may have noticed that fees for psychometric testing can vary greatly from one clinic to the next. However, fees are far from the only factor that set different clinics apart - there are also many aspects of the testing process that can vary, which can impact on the quality of the assessment and ultimately how helpful the assessment is in supporting your child's needs.
Here are some important things to consider when deciding where to get your child assessed:
1. What are the clinician's qualifications? Psychometric testing can be offered by psychologists with varying qualifications (e.g. provisional vs. fully-registered psychologist) and levels of experience.
2. What will you get out of the assessment? Check that the assessment process will address the reason for referral (e.g. does my child have dyslexia?).
3. How comprehensive is the testing process? Check whether the testing process includes a clinical interview, which normally covers questions relating to the reason for referral and your child's background history. Some clinics don't offer this but it is an important part of the testing process as it ensures that the appropriate tests are administered, the results are appropriately interpreted, and the recommendations are individually- tailored.
4. What time of day will testing be conducted? You may wish to have your child assessed in the morning when they are likely to be more alert.
5. Is testing available on the weekend? Testing can often take place across a number of days. You may wish to have your child assessed outside school hours to avoid missing school.
6. How long will the entire process take? Testing can be a lengthy process. It can be useful to find out how long the whole process will take from the time of booking the appointment to receiving the report in case you are pressed for time e.g. meeting deadlines for applications.
7. How will the results/recommendations be provided to you? Check whether the clinician intends on meeting with you once testing is complete to discuss the results/recommendations, or whether they intend on sending the report to you (without going through it with you). It can be helpful to have the clinician walk you through the results and answer any questions you might have about the scoring, interpretation, or recommendations.
8. Will the recommendations be comprehensive and individually-tailored? Check whether the report will include recommendations for both school and home. If any difficulties are identified, whether they are cognitive, learning, attention, mental health related, your child will likely benefit from having supports put in place at both school and home.
For more information about psychometric testing, feel free to contact us.
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