For young children who display developmental differences or delays, there could be several factors influencing behaviors and symptoms. For example, a child who finds it difficult to focus in school may be experiencing stress, allergies, sleep disturbance, loss of hearing or sight, bullying by a sibling or peer, learning differences unsupported in a general education setting, general anxiety, depression, or a neurologically-based condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Autism.
Having your child undergo a number of different assessments may be necessary in order to tease out what your child is experiencing and why. However, undergoing multiple evaluations can be a lengthy, stressful, and costly process, so spacing out appointments and seeking support is beneficial to relieving anxiety for you, your child, and your family throughout this process.
How Are Child Assessments Typically Measured?
Evaluation results should include various sources of input, such as reports from doctors, teacher observations, exams conducted by specialized practitioners, and parent/family accounts to ensure that results are based on noticeable patterns across all areas of a child’s life.
Most child evaluations are weighted against national averages corresponding to a child’s age. Skill levels are generally assessed along a spectrum of mild, moderate, to severe variations from the average peer experience. For some types of exams, such as a nutritional assessment or psychological observation, results are individualized although still measured against substantial research, diagnostic manuals, and observed medical trends.
What Are the Standard Types of Child Assessments?
The following is a list of standard evaluation exams, some of which can be conducted at no cost when you seek out a developmental screening through the NYC Department of Health if your child is 0-3 years, or through the NYC Department of Education if your child is 3+ years.
Developmental and Cognitive Evaluations
- Developmental-behavioral pediatric exam
- Neurological exam
- Neuropsychological testing (for school-age children)
- Speech & communication evaluation *
- Occupational therapy exam (“OT”) *
Educational Assessments
- Educational observation *
- Psychoeducational Assessment *
Physical Examinations
- Allergy/immunology exam
- Hearing test
- Nutritional & dietary assessment (integrative medicine)
- Orthopedic exam
- Physical therapy exam (“PT”) *
- Vision test
Psychological and Behavioral Screenings
- Individual psychological assessment
- Family psychological assessment
- School social worker observation *
An * asterisk indicates assessments typically conducted by the NYC Department of Health and NYC Department of Education.