Hey, it’s Imane here on the Dóchas blog! Today I’m going to be breaking down psycho-educational assessments and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). If you suspect your child may have ADHD, should you go through a psycho-educational assessment? Here are some things to consider.
First, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to concentrate, organize and complete tasks, as well as interact with others. In your child, it can look like a struggle to concentrate, stay organized, maintain a clean room, stay on task, or sit still. While medication and therapy are common treatments for ADHD, a comprehensive evaluation can help you understand your child better and create an individualized plan for their success.
What Are Psycho-educational Assessments?
Dóchas has a great resource all about psycho-educational assessments here! But to summarize, a psycho-educational assessment offers an in-depth understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges, and it provides insight into why your child may be experiencing particular difficulties. It can help you understand if your’s child’s symptoms are related to ADHD specifically, and how to guide them through that.
To be clear, it’s not about passing or failing, or determining what’s “wrong” with your child. Rather, it can provide insight into your child, open up access to educational resources, and help to guide them in navigating their experience of life with ADHD. It can be a bit nerve-wracking to make the decision to get tested, so let’s break down the process so you understand what’s included.
What is ADHD Testing?
A psycho-educational assessment will investigate all possible diagnoses, not only ADHD. Even within ADHD, the severity of symptoms can vary a lot. Through the assessment, you can get the information to create an individualized plan for their success.
What’s Included in ADHD Testing?
Here’s what’s included in ADHD testing at Dóchas:
- A thorough intake process that looks at your child’s history of symptoms
- Discussions with parents, caretakers, teachers and any other service providers to see how ADHD symptoms manifest in various settings
- A full neurocognitive assessment to better understand the child’s strengths and weaknesses
- A look at the child’s memory skills and IQ testing
- A full academic achievement profile to rule out any learning difficulties
- Standardized and computerized tests looking at their attentional abilities
- Specific testing looking at their executive functioning skill
How Can Being Assessed for ADHD Help?
Psychoeducation can provide individuals with ADHD with several benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Increased understanding of ADHD: Many individuals with ADHD may not fully understand their condition. Through assessment and treatment, they can come to a better understanding of their symptoms, including how they affect their daily life and relationships.
- Improved coping strategies: Through assessment and treatment, individuals can develop practical strategies for managing their symptoms, such as organization, time management, and stress reduction techniques.
- Better self-esteem: Individuals with ADHD may struggle with self-esteem due to difficulty completing tasks or staying on track. Understanding their condition can help individuals develop a sense of self-acceptance, which can improve their self-esteem.
- Improved academic and work performance: Individuals with ADHD may struggle with academic or work performance due to their difficulty with attention and organization. Once they understand their condition, they can work with others to develop practical strategies for improving their performance and achieving their goals.
Where do you go from here?
Psycho-educational assessments can be a valuable tool for individuals with ADHD, providing them with the starting point to begin managing their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. If you are considering whether your child should be tested for ADHD, hopefully this breakdown of the process helps you understand what is all involved.
At Dóchas, we know how this can all be overwhelming. Our assessment professionals are extremely knowledgeable and caring, creating exactly the balance we want in assessment psychology: receiving accurate and helpful information while respecting who you are and your needs in the testing environment. We’re happy to help with breaking down the psycho-educational assessments and ADHD process with you.
I encourage you to reach out and ask us how we can help. You can reach out to us here by calling us at 780 446 0300 or emailing info@dochaspsych.com. And as always, take care of yourself!
About Dóchas Psychological
Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
