If you have heard this term, psychoeducational evaluation, or a similar term before, it can be confusing to know what it means so let’s break it down. Psychoeducational refers to what areas are being explored. This can include cognitive (e.g., verbal and nonverbal skills, working memory, and/or processing speed), academic (e.g., reading, writing, and math), social (e.g., withdrawal, introversion, extroversion), and/or emotional (e.g., symptoms related to mood). An evaluation is an in-depth exploration of different areas to gain more information about what is going well and what is difficult.
A psychoeducational evaluation can help answer questions that the student, parents, teachers, or others have. The student may have questions like:
“Why is math so hard for me compared to my friends?”
“Why does it take me so long to complete my homework?”
Parents may wonder:
“Why do I have to repeat myself so often?”
“How can I help my child reach their highest potential?”
Teachers could ask:
“Why does this student struggle to remember information that we’ve been practicing?”
“What other strategies can I use to help this student?”
The goal of a psychoeducational evaluation is to identify a student’s strengths and differences to help them be successful. At the end of the process you will receive a detailed report describing all of the different areas assessed during the evaluation, a list of recommendations, and next steps to consider as a family. Ideally, you will have time to review the evaluation, ask questions, and develop a plan for what to do next to best support your child.