When your child is struggling in school, at home, or with their emotions and behavior, it can be overwhelming to know what kind of help they need. You may have been told that your child needs an evaluation, but with so many different types—psycho-educational, psychological, and neuropsychological—it’s hard to know which one is right.
Evaluations can provide clarity, guidance, and the right support for your child. No matter what challenges your child is facing, the right assessment can help unlock the tools they need to thrive.
As a licensed psychologist specializing in assessments, I understand how confusing this process can be. This guide will walk you through the differences between these evaluations and help you make the best choice for your child.
Understanding the Three Types of Evaluations
Psycho-educational Evaluations: Focused on School Performance
A psycho-educational evaluation is typically done by a master’s level school psychologist in the school setting and focuses on how your child learns and behaves in the classroom. This type of assessment is often provided through the school if there are concerns about academic struggles, ADHD, or learning disabilities.
A psycho-educational evaluation usually includes:
- IQ (intelligence) testing
- Academic achievement testing (reading, writing, math)
- Behavior checklists filled out by parents and teachers
Who is this for? If your child is struggling with schoolwork or behavior at school, this type of evaluation can help determine if they need special education services or classroom accommodations (such as an IEP or 504 Plan).
Limitations: A psycho-educational evaluation does not provide a formal medical diagnosis, such as ADHD, autism, or anxiety. It mainly helps with educational planning.
A psycho-educational evaluation can also be conducted outside of the school setting by a doctoral level licensed psychologist. In this case, a formal diagnosis may be given.
Psychological Evaluations: Looking at the Whole Child
A psychological evaluation is a more in-depth assessment completed by a licensed psychologist. This type of evaluation can diagnose conditions that affect your child’s emotions, behavior, and overall mental health.
A psychological evaluation may include:
- IQ and academic achievement testing (similar to a psycho-educational evaluation)
- Emotional and personality assessments
- Structured interviews to assess mental health conditions (like ADHD, anxiety, or depression)
Who is this for? If you suspect your child is struggling with mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, autism, or ADHD, a psychological evaluation can provide a formal diagnosis and guide treatment options.
Benefits: Since this evaluation is done by a licensed psychologist, it can lead to medical diagnoses that qualify your child for therapies and interventions outside of school.
The right evaluation can provide clarity, support, and a path forward for your child’s growth and success.
Neuropsychological Evaluations: Digging Deeper into Brain Functioning
A neuropsychological evaluation is the most comprehensive type of assessment, usually completed by a neuropsychologist or a licensed psychologist with training in neuropsychological evaluations.This evaluation looks at how different parts of the brain are functioning and how they impact your child’s learning, memory, and behavior.
A neuropsychological evaluation may include:
- IQ and academic testing (like the other evaluations)
- Tests of memory, attention, and problem-solving skills
- Observations of how your child approaches tasks and solves problems
Who is this for? If your child has a history of brain injury, seizures, or complex learning and developmental challenges, a neuropsychological evaluation can provide deeper insights into how their brain works.
Unique Advantage: This evaluation can detect subtle cognitive difficulties that may not show up in other assessments, helping with more precise diagnoses and treatment planning.
Which Evaluation Does My Child Need?
At Clarity Therapy NYC, we specialize in psycho-educational, psychological, and neuropsychological evaluations to help parents gain a clear understanding of their child’s needs. Some conditions, like ADHD or autism, may require a combination of assessments, and knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
