Decoding Evaluation Results: A Parent’s Guide to Scores, Terms, and Next Steps

Receiving your child’s psychoeducational evaluation results can feel overwhelming at first. There are numbers, terms, and charts that are designed to help you understand your child’s unique learning profile, but deciphering what it all means can be challenging. This guide will help you break down the key scores and terms and offer some actionable next steps to put these insights to use.

Why Psychoeducational Evaluations Matter

Psychoeducational evaluations assess a child’s cognitive, academic, and social-emotional strengths and challenges. These evaluations are valuable because they give parents and educators a clearer picture of what makes a child’s learning profile unique. They can identify areas where a child may need extra support or enrichment and guide interventions that help them thrive.

Understanding the Different Types of Scores

Before diving into specific cognitive terms, let’s look at some of the types of scores you’ll encounter in an evaluation report and what each one represents:

1. Standard Scores

   • Standard scores compare a child’s performance to that of their peers in the norm group, with an average score of 100. Typically, a score between 85 and 115 is considered average. Standard scores help identify areas where a child’s performance is consistent with, above, or below expectations for their age.

2. Scaled Scores

   • Scaled scores often range from 1 to 19, with 10 as the average. Scaled scores are used to assess performance on individual subtests within a larger cognitive or achievement area, helping to pinpoint specific strengths or weaknesses. For example, a subtest scaled score of 15 (above average) in vocabulary might highlight strong verbal skills.

3. T-Scores

   • T-scores, which usually range from 20 to 80, have an average score of 50, with a standard deviation of 10. T-scores are commonly used in behavioral and emotional assessments, like those that evaluate anxiety or attention. A T-score above 60 might suggest an area of concern, while a score below 40 could indicate strengths.

4. Percentile Ranks

   • Percentile ranks show how a child’s performance compares to peers. For example, a percentile rank of 75 means the child scored as well or better than 75% of the norm group. Percentile ranks are particularly parent-friendly since they’re easy to interpret at a glance.

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Common Cognitive Terms in Evaluations

Evaluations often provide scores across various cognitive areas that help explain how your child processes information. Here’s a breakdown of common terms you might see and what each one means:

1. Crystallized Intelligence (Gc)

   • Crystallized intelligence reflects a child’s knowledge base and verbal skills—think of it as the accumulation of acquired knowledge over time. This includes vocabulary, general information, and comprehension. A child with strong crystallized intelligence may excel in activities that involve language and general knowledge.

2. Fluid Reasoning (Gf)

   • Fluid reasoning involves the ability to solve new problems, think logically, and understand complex relationships. It’s less about what a child already knows and more about their ability to work with unfamiliar information. Children with high fluid reasoning scores might excel in tasks that require analytical thinking, like math or science.

3. Short-Term/Working Memory (Gsm)

   • Short-term/working memory measures a child’s ability to hold and manipulate information temporarily. It’s like a mental “sticky note” that helps with tasks requiring multi-step instructions or mental calculations. If a child has challenges in this area, they may struggle with remembering directions or organizing information.

4. Auditory Processing (Ga)

   • Auditory processing refers to how well a child can analyze, interpret, and retain sounds, which is especially important for reading and phonics. This skill affects their ability to recognize patterns in sounds and understand speech. Children with strong auditory processing skills often have an easier time learning to read and distinguishing sounds in language.

5. Visual Processing (Gv)

   • Visual processing is the ability to interpret and mentally manipulate visual information, such as shapes and patterns. Skills in this area are important for tasks that involve spatial reasoning, like reading maps, solving puzzles, and even certain math tasks. Children with high visual processing scores often excel in visual-spatial activities.

6. Long-Term Retrieval (Glr)

   • Long-term retrieval is the ability to store and retrieve information over extended periods. This skill is crucial for tasks that require recalling facts, details, and learned information from memory. If a child has challenges with long-term retrieval, they may struggle to recall previously learned material, which can impact their overall academic performance.

7. Processing Speed (Gs)

   Processing speed measures how quickly a child can perform simple cognitive tasks, like identifying symbols or matching items. It reflects the efficiency of their brain's ability to take in and respond to information. A child with strong processing speed might complete routine assignments more quickly and accurately. Challenges in this area could lead to slower work completion, difficulty keeping up in class, or struggles with timed tasks.

Example: Bringing the Scores Together

To illustrate, let’s look at a fictional child, “Sophie,” whose evaluation results might read like this:

• Crystallized Intelligence (Gc): 115 (Above Average)

• Fluid Reasoning (Gf): 105 (Average)

• Short-Term/Working Memory (Gsm): 85 (Below Average)

• Visual Processing (Gv): 95 (Average)

• Auditory Processing (Ga): 80 (Low Average)

• Math Achievement: 70 (Well Below Average)

• Processing Speed: 100 (Average)

Sophie’s evaluation shows above-average crystallized intelligence, meaning she has a strong vocabulary and knowledge base. However, her lower scores in short-term/working memory and auditory processing could mean she struggles with following directions or decoding sounds, both of which are essential for tasks like reading and math. Her below-average math achievement score further suggests that she may benefit from specialized math support.

Next Steps: Putting Evaluation Results to Use

Once you understand your child’s evaluation scores, the next step is to collaborate with educators and specialists to create a supportive learning plan. Here are some actionable steps:

1. Meet with the Evaluator

   • After reviewing the evaluation, meet with the psychologist or evaluator to discuss the results in detail. Ask about any terms or scores you’re unsure about and request recommendations for next steps or interventions.

2. Develop an IEP or 504 Plan

   • If your child qualifies for special education services, work with the school to develop an IEP or 504 Plan. This document outlines specific accommodations and support strategies tailored to your child’s unique needs, such as providing extra time on tests or offering visual aids.

3. Create a Supportive Home Environment

   • Use the insights from the evaluation to implement strategies at home. For instance, if your child has a lower working memory score, break tasks into smaller steps and use reminders to help them stay organized.

4. Explore Additional Resources

   • In some cases, outside support, such as tutoring, occupational therapy, or a structured literacy program, can be beneficial. Seek programs and resources aligned with your child’s needs, like math tutoring for children with low math achievement scores.

5. Monitor Progress and Adjust as Needed

   • As your child grows, revisit the evaluation results and adjust their support plan as needed. Maintaining open communication with their teachers and specialists helps ensure they’re receiving the best possible support.

Helpful Resources for Parents

For additional support in understanding evaluation results and learning how to support your child, check out these resources:

• Understood.org: A parent-friendly site with resources on learning and attention issues. Understood

• Wrightslaw: A comprehensive resource for special education law and advocacy. Wrightslaw

• National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): Offers information on learning disabilities and advocacy. NCLD

Recommended Books and Tools

• Parenting Bright Kids Who Struggle in School by Dewey Rosetti: Practical strategies for supporting children with learning differences.

• The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education by Amanda Morin: A user-friendly guide to understanding special education services.

• Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare: Strategies for developing executive functioning skills.

• Visual Organizers: Tools like graphic organizers can help children organize information visually, aiding with tasks that require planning and sequencing.

• Digital Apps for Learning: Apps like “Khan Academy Kids” and “Quizlet” can support academic learning through engaging activities.

Final Thoughts

Decoding evaluation results can feel complex, but these insights are invaluable in helping your child succeed. By understanding their unique strengths and challenges, you can support their learning journey with confidence and clarity.

Note: This blog post was thoughtfully crafted with the help of AI tools and fine-tuned by me, Dr. Burger, at the Student Evaluation Center, to ensure it meets your needs as a parent. While it’s full of insights, it’s always a good idea to reach out for personalized advice if you have specific concerns.