Psychoeducational Assessment Services - Canadian Academy | PreK - G12 International Day and Boarding IB School in Kobe, Japan

Understanding how your child learns, thinks, and thrives.

A psychoeducational assessment is a comprehensive assessment of a child’s learning profile, including strengths and weaknesses in thinking and reasoning skills, academic skills, and behaviors that support learning. Assessments are currently available for students 6 years of age and older.

Why would a student complete a psychoeducational assessment?

To explore cognitive/intellectual or processing strengths and weaknesses
To explore suspected learning difficulties or to identify Specific Learning Disorders in reading, writing, or mathematics (i.e., dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
To examine challenges with learning behaviors, executive functioning, or social-emotional skills
For reassessment of learning strengths and weaknesses (i.e., routine 3-year reevaluation)
For reassessment to determine eligibility for accommodations on external exams (e.g., IBDP)

What do psychoeducational assessments include?

Assessments are unique to the needs of the student and may include any of the following:

Conversations with parents, teachers, and the student
Classroom observation at school
Review of educational records
Cognitive/intellectual and processing assessments
Academic/achievement assessments
Home and school history forms completed by parents and teachers
Behavior questionnaires completed by parents, teachers, and/or the student
A feedback session with parents and/or teachers
Written report (generally completed within 6 weeks following the assessment)
Assessments with the student are in-person; appointments with parents and teachers may be done via video conference (Zoom)

What are the benefits of having an assessment completed at the school?

The student is able to complete the assessment in a familiar setting during school hours
The student does not need to be absent from school on the assessment day(s)
Families do not need to travel to have the assessment completed
Assessments are scheduled sooner, with less waiting time
Assessments include a classroom observation
The psychologist has an understanding of the school context, the curriculum and learning expectations, and the support services available
The psychologist is able to easily consult with teachers and other school staff who work with the student

Are there other types of assessments available?

A psychoeducational assessment covers cognitive abilities, academic skills, and behavioral functioning and provides information about a student’s learning profile.
In some cases, a shorter reevaluation to determining eligibility for accommodations on external exams may be sufficient.
For students with more complex developmental profiles, a school neuropsychological assessment that covers a wider range of cognitive and processing areas (e.g., memory, attention, executive functioning, sensorimotor functions) may be appropriate.

Elysa Christy, MA, MEd, ABSNP

Elysa is originally from the United States. She has worked in the US, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Austria, and Australia, and has spent more than fifteen years working in PK-12 international schools. Elysa promotes strengths-based and neuroaffirming practices. She is knowledgeable about international curricula and the unique strengths and needs of multilingual learners, and she is experienced in providing both in-person and remote (online) assessments for international school students. Having experience as a classroom teacher, Elysa believes collaboration with parents and educators is a key part of the assessment process.

Credentials and Memberships:

Registered Psychologist (AHPRA, Australia)
Australian Psychological Society (APS) Associate Member
Diplomate in School Neuropsychology (ABSNP, USA)
Certified School Psychologist (USA)
BA Psychology, Cornell University
MA Education, UC Berkeley
MEd Educational Psychology, University of Calgary

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