What Does a Psychological Evaluation of Children Involve?

A psychological evaluation of a child involves a series of assessments administered by a licensed psychologist to determine a child's mental health, behavior and learning ability. Typically, a psychological evaluation requires several office visits for the child as well as the parents and involves several hours of observation and testing.

Initial Meeting

• The psychological evaluation begins with the psychologist taking a history of the child, including a description of the symptoms and problems, any illness and treatments, including current medications, and information about the family psychiatric history, relationships and social interactions. This not only gives the psychologist an overall view of the child's life but also assists in determining the necessary steps to find a solution for the problem.

Observation

• Through observation, a psychologist can gather useful information regarding the behavior of a child. A psychologist may observe the child in a social setting, interacting with a sibling or parent or playing alone. Typically, a psychologist will conduct the observation in a manner in which the child is not aware of what is occurring.

Interviews

• A psychologist will conduct interviews with people who are know the child well, such as the child's parents, siblings and, in some cases, teachers. The interview process helps the psychologist to understand the behavior history, relationships and concerns regarding the child. The psychologist will summarize the important and relevant information obtained during the interviews.

Assessments

• Assessments include various mental health, cognitive ability and developmental tests, depending on what testing is necessary for the child.

Feedback

• The final part of a psychological evaluation of a child is the feedback session in which the psychologist will provide the parents or guardians with a final report. Most psychologists request the attendance of both parents for the feedback session. The report details the evaluation findings and, if necessary, advises the parents on the next steps in the child's treatment.