Educational assessments help clarify a student's strengths, challenges, and learning needs by evaluating cognitive, academic, behavioral, and developmental functioning.
What are educational assessments?
Educational assessments are comprehensive evaluations designed to understand how a student learns and functions across academic and psychological domains. These assessments are typically requested by parents, school staff, therapists, or medical providers when a student is struggling academically, showing signs of behavioral or attentional challenges, or is suspected of having a learning difference or developmental condition.
They are often used to determine eligibility for academic supports, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan, or to clarify mental health diagnoses that may be impacting school performance. By gathering detailed information through standardized testing, clinical interviews, and behavioral observations, educational assessments provide actionable insights to guide intervention planning, classroom accommodations, and long-term support.
Educational Assessments at Responsive Centers
Academic Testing
Academic testing evaluates core academic skills like reading (decoding, fluency, comprehension), writing (spelling, grammar, written expression), and mathematics (calculation, problem-solving). Results can help identify specific learning disorders (like dyslexia or dyscalculia), pinpoint areas of academic strength or difficulty, and provide guidance for tailored interventions. Academic testing is often a key component in eligibility determinations for school-based supports, such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans.
ADHD Evaluation
ADHD assessments examine patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity through multiple sources: clinical interviews, standardized behavior rating scales (completed by parents, teachers, or the individual), and often performance-based attention tasks. The goal is to determine whether the individual meets diagnostic criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and to better understand how symptoms affect daily functioning at school, work, or home. This evaluation can also differentiate ADHD from other causes of attention difficulties, such as anxiety or learning disorders.
Autism Evaluation
This evaluation assesses for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by integrating caregiver input, developmental history, behavioral observations, and standardized tools such as the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule). It often includes cognitive testing and screening for related challenges like sensory sensitivities, social communication difficulties, or restricted/repetitive behaviors. A comprehensive autism evaluation helps families understand a child’s needs, supports eligibility for services, and can guide recommendations for therapies such as speech, occupational therapy, or ABA.
Cognitive Testing (IQ)
Cognitive or intellectual testing measures general thinking and reasoning abilities, including areas like verbal comprehension, working memory, processing speed, and fluid reasoning. Tools such as the WISC-V or WAIS-IV are commonly used, depending on age. These assessments help identify intellectual strengths and weaknesses, clarify whether cognitive functioning is within the expected range, and can provide context for academic struggles or support the diagnosis of intellectual disability, giftedness, or other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Psychological Assessments
These evaluations explore emotional, behavioral, personality, and/or cognitive functioning through a combination of clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires, behavioral observations, and standardized psychological tests. They may be used to diagnose mood or anxiety disorders, trauma-related concerns, or more complex conditions such as OCD or bipolar disorder. Psychological assessments can inform treatment planning, help determine the need for therapeutic or psychiatric services, and support accommodations in school or work environments.
