Page 35 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 8_2022

Today's Child

assessment can provide a complete
Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang with the advice and guidance of a
answer; these assessments should
always be used in conjunction

professional psychologist as well
as other collateral information that
may be available.
Psychometric assessments are
valuable as they deliver consistent
results when it comes to providing
quality, independent and objective
subject and career advice.

However, it is important to
remember that a test battery is
only as good as the psychologist
who interprets it and determines
plausible findings from it. Therefore,
have an in-depth conversation with
the psychologist administering
the assessments and request
explanations of the findings.

It’s crucial to view a test battery
as an opportunity to gather more
information to further unpack a
FOCUS ON FIVE MAIN POINTS A psychometric assessment is just one challenging situation, so as to reach
Within our overlapping professions of the tools available today to help a more informed plan of action.
in the education context, people do guide parents and students in their
not always agree on the definition school and career choices. No one Always ask lots of questions!
of terms such as ‘learning disability’
or ‘attention deficit disorder’. Across
professions – for example, when you sit
at a meeting of the education team at
your child’s school in the company of Photo by Magnet Me
psychologists, social workers, teachers
and other education specialists – there
can be differences of opinion regarding
these heavily laden terms. My advice
is to avoid focusing on these labels as
they are often not useful in problem
resolution.

Instead, try to keep your focus
on the following:
1. What are the child’s strengths and
weaknesses as uncovered in the
assessment?

2. How do they affect her/his
personality, self-esteem and
ability to function socially and
academically?

3. What kind of remediation
has been shown to help – for
example, smaller classes, special
teaching styles, psychotherapy,
relaxation?

4. How can the child work around his/
her problems?
5. Do you understand the test results
and have you learned from them?

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