By Jodie Maddox, Parent Coach and Education Consultant
If your child struggles socially, emotionally, or academically, you may feel unsure where to turn for help. Navigating these challenges can leave parents feeling vulnerable and frustrated. If your child is in school, work with their teachers and other school resources. Maintain open and transparent communication, trust their guidance and professionalism, and remember you know your child best. It’s okay to ask questions and trust your instincts.
By staying informed and proactive, you can help ensure your child receives the support they need to thrive. Wherever you are in the process, knowing what to ask, look for, and expect is essential. Here are four key steps to follow if you’re concerned about your child's social, emotional, or cognitive growth and are considering a professional evaluation:
1. Start by Asking Yourself Key Questions:
Consider these questions to clarify your concerns and determine the next steps:
Do the issues or concerns consistently disrupt my child’s social, emotional, or academic growth, overall school performance, or daily family life?
What are my concerns? Are they age-appropriate?
What interventions or strategies have we tried as a family? At school? Have they helped? Why or why not?
Does my child seem stressed by their behavior or performance? Are they asking for help or aware of their struggle?
Are these behaviors or concerns ongoing and pervasive?
How will an evaluation help our situation? What am I hoping to learn as a parent? What help am I willing to accept or provide?
2. Learn About the Evaluation Process:
Understanding what an evaluation involves can prepare you for the process and its outcomes. Schools and private agencies use a variety of assessment tools and strategies, including input from parents and classroom teachers. Evaluations typically include cognitive, behavioral, developmental, and physical factors. Information is gathered in the following areas:
General health, vision, and hearing
Speech and language
Social and emotional status
General intelligence
Academic performance
Communicative status
Motor abilities
3. Decide How to Pursue an Evaluation:
As a parent, you have two main options for an evaluation:
Private Evaluation: You can hire a licensed child psychologist for a private evaluation. These professionals can perform assessments to diagnose conditions such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia, anxiety disorders, and other neurological conditions.
School Evaluation: You can request a free evaluation from your school district. Typically, multiple professionals within the school will conduct the evaluation. Schools are required to consider private evaluation results; they may also conduct their own evaluation, but these results do not guarantee eligibility for any service. To qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and to receive services through your school district, a child’s educational performance must be adversely affected by a diagnosed disability.
It’s important to note that school psychologists are not authorized to provide medical diagnoses. They can identify gaps in achievement, behavior, or cognitive growth, but a formal diagnosis requires a private practitioner. Your child can only be formally evaluated for special services with your consent, and you should be included in all decisions throughout the process. Sometimes, the school may initiate the evaluation, but you may need to take the lead to get the process started.
4. Watch for Red Flags and Follow-Up:
If your child struggles in several of the following areas, take note and consult with your school and pediatrician to better understand developmentally appropriate milestones for their age:
Trouble regulating emotions, moods, or behavior
Behaviors consistently disrupt daily routines and situations on an ongoing basis
Pervasive difficulties with social skills
Intense emotions (fear, anxiety, sadness) that impair day-to-day functioning
Difficulty making friends
Lack of focus or hyper-focused on specific items/topics/individuals
Difficulty with multi-step directions
Consistent and disruptive inflexible behavior
Impulsive behaviors
Poor time management or follow-through
Extreme disorganization
Ongoing delays in reading, writing, or math
Delayed speech or trouble with pronunciation (varies by age)
Difficulty memorizing or remembering common words
Confusing letters or struggling to alphabetize
Trouble rhyming words
Poor spelling, pencil grip, or handwriting
If you need help navigating these unchartered waters, feel free to contact me. I am here to help and support you in your parenting journey. Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it's a way to ensure your child or family has everything they need to be successful.
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