Does My Child Need Testing? - Learning Lab

Does My Child Need Testing?

There are many reasons for testing a child’s ability to learn and perform academically, but before embarking on a battery of tests it is best to ask and understand a few questions up front:

What will I learn from the test results?
Will the results make a difference in my child’s school life?

These and related questions are often posed when a physician, educator, or therapist recommends testing to a parent.

Typically, testing includes an evaluation of cognitive (IQ), academic, attention, and/or processing issues. An assessment may rule out any problems or clarify directions to help parents and children more successfully travel the academic journey. Specific areas that testing is intended to address include the following:

  • Learning and problem solving style
  • Processing issues
  • Memory and retention skills
  • Academic strengths and weaknesses
  • Cognitive (IQ) abilities
  • Anxiety and frustration tolerance during problem solving
  • Ability to sustain attention and focus

From this information parents are better able to

  • Develop realistic academic expectations
  • Find “best fit” academic environment
  • Rule out a learning disability, ADHD, and processing problems
  • Clarify most helpful ways to support their child’s learning
  • Determine need for extra academic support or school accommodations

So…when does it make sense to think about testing?

  • When reading, writing, and math skills are not developing according to expected levels
  • When the child’s ability does not match academic performance
  • When school is too overwhelming
  • When teachers express consistent concerns
  • When school creates too much anxiety and frustration for a child or causes conflict at home
  • When homework stretches forever

Similarly, you can also have your child tested if you want to confirm how smart your child is so you can take genetic credit!

If you think testing might clarify these or other issues, talk with your child’s pediatrician, teacher, or school counselor. Results will help you to understand your child better and to guide parenting throughout the school years.