Updating Psycho-educational Assessment

Parents often wonder whether they need to have their child reassessed after they have entered the Foothills Academy school program. There is no set timing for this, with the timing being dependent on individual case circumstances.  Some questions to consider include: Does the previous assessment still capture what we feel the student’s struggles are?  Has anything changed in the student’s life that may have an impact on the supports they need (e.g., traumatic experience, change in medication)?

Occasionally, a new psycho-educational assessment may be suggested by the school staff if they feel that it may provide clearer direction on how to provide the best possible programming and services to your child.

Generally speaking, transition points are good times to complete re-assessments. For example, if it has been several years, then grade 6 might be a good time to have the student re-evaluated in order to have up-to-date information as they face new demands in grade 7 as they begin junior high school.

Similarly, grade 11/12 is another opportune time to have your student reassessed, as they make plans for after graduation.  In order to access support services for Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD, post-secondary institutions typically require an assessment that is completed within the past 3 years and uses adult measures (therefore, preferably completed after the student turns 16).  Whether you choose to complete the assessment in Grade 11 or 12, it is important to keep in mind that it should be completed by the spring of the student’s Grade 12 year so that they have up-to-date documentation to share with their chosen post-secondary institution prior to starting their first semester.

Whether the student attends post-secondary schooling or joins the workforce, it is important for them to have up-to-date information about their cognitive strengths and weaknesses, as well as a clear grasp of what accommodations are most effective for them.  This self-knowledge is necessary for the young adult to effectively advocate for themselves and maximize their effectiveness in either the school or work environment.