What to do while waiting for a psychoeducational assessment

If your child is on a waitlist for a psychoeducational assessment either through a private practice or at the school board, you are not alone. Waitlists in most areas are long and you may be feeling anxious on what you can do right now to help your child. In this post, I will explore some practical steps to take while on the wait list limbo.

First, Try to Stay Patient. It Seems That Wait Lists are Long Everywhere

I don’t have any official data on what waitlists look like across Canada or North America, but I’ve consistently heard that waitlists are long. Depending on where you live, I have heard of wait lists that go beyond a year or two. This is a common challenge in many regions due to the high demand for such assessments and the lack of services and those with the highly specialized education to complete the testing.

In the Meantime, It Is Important To Connect with Teachers

While waiting for the assessment, you can try to reach out to your child’s teachers or tutors to discuss any academic concerns you might have. How do they perceive how your child’s learning is going and do they have any thoughts on what can help. Teachers can offer important insights into your child’s learning and provide suggestions for strategies that might help. Teachers may also have information on any available supports or programs at the school. Also, speaking with your child’s teacher can foster the connection you have with them to help communicate with each other effectively throughout the year.

Access Readings on the Issue

Take this time to educate yourself about the topic of psychoeducational assessments, learning differences and related challenges. There are numerous books, articles, and online resources available that can provide valuable information about various learning challenges and strategies to overcome them. Understanding more about your concerns can help you to better advocate for your child’s needs. Additionally, psychologist’s love when their client’s have read up on the challenges and have even tried various evidence based strategies. This information can lead to a better discussion with the psychologist and help the psychologist to see what has worked or not in the past.

Consider Tutoring or Academic Support In The Meantime

Consider seeking tutoring or academic support during the waiting period. Tutoring can help your child catch up on gaps in reading, writing or mathematics. Furthermore, psychologist’s often consider what the child’s Response-to-Intervention (RTI) has been in the past and this is very valuable information for the testing. For example, a psychologist can develop a better picture of a child’s challenges with reading if they have first attended a reading program and know the child has had sufficient exposure to reading practice.

Collect Observations

During your wait, it may be important to collect specific observations about the concerns you have for your child. This can be through keeping a journal or a notebook to jot down your thoughts, challenges, and successes in various academic tasks. These observations can provide valuable insights for the psychologist conducting your assessment and can also help you identify patterns and areas where you might need additional support.

Final Thoughts

I understand that waiting for a psychoeducational assessment can be a challenging experience and I’m sorry that wait lists are so long. I hope that the suggestions offered help you to connect with your teachers, gain valuable insights into your child’s learning needs and access academic support while waiting. Remember that the assessment process is a stepping stone towards better understanding your child and their unique learning style, which will ultimately help them thrive academically and beyond.