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Making the Grade
What Parents Should Know About Psychological Testing By Teri Brown
Loving parents have a lot to consider as they raise their children. Nutrition, physical fitness, education and socialization are only a few of the concerns. But nothing is as alarming as when a parent suspects that their child might be either socially, emotionally or intellectually behind other children in their peer group.
When Linda Dupie's second-grade daughter was discovered reading a year below grade level, Dupie knew it was time to get her daughter tested.
"I'm dyslexic and it is believed my father was, too, and I had read about the possibility of heredity playing a part," says Dupie.
Dupie says the two-week process was harder on her than it was on her daughter. After the tests were administered her daughter was indeed diagnosed with dyslexia. Like many other parents whose child is diagnosed with a learning disability, Dupie and her family were relieved to get a handle on the problem and move on from there.
"The tests were extremely helpful," says Dupie. "They pinpointed her areas of weakness, and the counselors and psychologist were able to develop a curriculum for my daughter."
Gloria Rothenberg, a licensed psychologist and a certified school psychologist in New York, believes that psychological testing helps identify what type of learner a child is and how they can best be served by the education community.
"Some children lack specific skills in one or more areas, which can lead to a 'learning style' that succeeds when instruction is presented in one format, but not another," says Rothenberg. "Some children test within the average range but have difficulty applying what they know in a classroom setting."
It is important to keep this in mind during the testing process. Think of the tests as a tool to help you and your child's educator offer your child the best education possible.