It feels like summer has just gotten going.
But, the calendar says differently. Unbelievably, it’s August already, which means the new school year is nearly upon us. For parents of school-age kids, this is the perfect time not only to get new backpacks, pencils, and notebooks. It’s also a good time to reconsider any concerns you might have about your child’s ability to learn and do well in school.
Evaluation for issues that may be keeping your child from reaching his or her full academic potential is called psychoeducational testing. Our friends at The K5 give a good explanation of what this is. To avoid re-inventing the wheel, we'll let their school psychologist, J. David Carr, tell you more:
In many school districts, psychoeducational testing is done to determine whether a child needs to have an Individualized Education Plan, or IEP. In my local area, parents also have the right to seek out a second opinion – at the school district’s cost. This means that if you are dissatisfied with the school’s testing or IEP results, you may seek out additional psychoeducational testing from a psychologist on your own. To find out more about this, you may contact your local school district.
A great resource for parents in Southern California who want additional (or first time) psychological/educational testing for their child, is Dr. Paula Bruce, who has a great deal of experience, expertise, and is just terrific to work with.
Remember: Identifying and understanding how your child best learns and where he or she needs additional support is one of the best ways to get ready for school success!
