Psycho-Educational assessments
Brief description of Psycho-Educational assessments
Psycho-educational assessments, also known as educational assessments, are essential for identifying barriers to learning and development. These assessments diagnose issues such as emotional, behavioral, or neurological difficulties (e.g., anxiety, attention disorders) and help formulate tailored intervention strategies. They can also lead to accommodations like extra time in exams, ensuring learners receive the support they need to thrive.
Overview of the assessment process
An initial session (comprising of your child and at least one parent). This occurs on the morning of the assessment (8:30am start) and lasts for approximately 30 – 40 minutes. This session provides an opportunity to clarify elements of the intake questionaire, go through the procedure, manage any anxiety and simply for Shannon Willows to gain further information in order to best serve your child. This also provides you with a chance to elaborate on any concerns or have any questions you may answered.
The educational assessment itself then is administered throughout the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon. Both Shannon and I use a variety of different tools such as the WISC/WAIS (IQ testing), WIAT (scholastic testing), psycho-motor functioning, emotional and behavioural-orientated tests, screeners for ADHD, Anxiety etc. This allows us to gain a thorough understanding of any contributing factors impacting your child’s academic functioning. During this time we will take several breaks to give your child adequate rest. We generally finish somewhere between 12:30 and 15:30pm depending on various factors but contact will always be made during the day to communicate times.
The feedback session is generally 50 minutes long and occurs within 2 to 3 weeks after the completion of the educational assessment. Over these weeks Shannon and I review the assessments, analyze the data, consider the findings and finally make recommendations in the best interest of your child. This is then communicated during the feedback session and a comprehensive report is emailed to the parents.
Meet the assessment team
Shannon Willows, an experienced Foundation Phase Teacher and Independent Psychometrist, has worked with scholars across South Africa since 2017. With a strong background in psychology and extensive experience in assessments, she plays a pivotal role in our team. Shannon administers the assessments and meets personally with you and your child on the day of evaluation. After completing the tailored assessment battery, she collaborates with Dayne to discuss the results, providing a more nuanced perspective. The report is then compiled, offering valuable insights into your child’s strengths and areas for growth. Shannon’s holistic approach and specialized training ensure that each assessment is thorough, personalized, and designed to support your child’s overall development.
Dayne Williams, a registered Educational Psychologist, has extensive experience conducting psycho-educational assessments for learners from primary school to university. He values working in multi-disciplinary teams to create personalized assessment plans tailored to each learner’s unique needs. Behind the scenes, Dayne collaborates with Shannon to review assessment results, addressing potential learning barriers or diagnoses to ensure a thorough and nuanced understanding of each student’s strengths and areas for growth. His goal is to help narrow the gap caused by learning barriers, enabling each learner to reach their full potential.
Recommended Links for further reading on educational assessments:
- Child Mind Institute – Evaluating Your Child for Learning Disorders
- Mayo Clinic – Learning Disorders: Know the Signs, How to Help
- Psychology Today – The Importance of Assessment in Psychology Education
- Childpsych – Why an educaitonal assessment is important
- DisabiliyRightsCalifornia – Understanding Psych-Educational Evaluations