I only learned exactly what this is about after we went through it (and payed for it) and I'm going to talk about it in another post.
But, when this psychologists recommended the "evaluation" I struggled. The "evaluation" felt to me as a kind of "magic black box". They claim that you need special training to run this tests and interpret their results. They claim that they have to spend many hours with the kid (and with the computer) to run the tests and that is why it costs what it costs. So, you pay the money, you give him/her your kid, and after some hours where they run the magic tests, they give you back a written report with their findings and a recommendation.
I was reluctant and frustrated. I questioned then (and today) whether this "black box" test approach actually works for "psychological" or "educational" issues. For example, you can run a lab test to detect an infection. Those tests are conclusive, because, I imagine, there is some substance that reacts chemically with the bacteria or virus that causes the infection, so, by looking for some evidence of this chemical reaction (like a change of color or something like that), you can assess the existence of the infection. However, there in no chemistry in these "psychoeducational" tests that I know, so what the heck they are and how do they work? Are they conclusive and objective? Can you measure attention objectively? Can you measure handwriting skills? Every kid is different, and learns at his/her own pace. How can I know if this is going to be worth and that this stupid psychologist is not trying to squeeze my money and make a profit out of my desperation?
Nevertheless and hesitantly, I agreed to the tests, and to pay the charge.
But, when this psychologists recommended the "evaluation" I struggled. The "evaluation" felt to me as a kind of "magic black box". They claim that you need special training to run this tests and interpret their results. They claim that they have to spend many hours with the kid (and with the computer) to run the tests and that is why it costs what it costs. So, you pay the money, you give him/her your kid, and after some hours where they run the magic tests, they give you back a written report with their findings and a recommendation.
I was reluctant and frustrated. I questioned then (and today) whether this "black box" test approach actually works for "psychological" or "educational" issues. For example, you can run a lab test to detect an infection. Those tests are conclusive, because, I imagine, there is some substance that reacts chemically with the bacteria or virus that causes the infection, so, by looking for some evidence of this chemical reaction (like a change of color or something like that), you can assess the existence of the infection. However, there in no chemistry in these "psychoeducational" tests that I know, so what the heck they are and how do they work? Are they conclusive and objective? Can you measure attention objectively? Can you measure handwriting skills? Every kid is different, and learns at his/her own pace. How can I know if this is going to be worth and that this stupid psychologist is not trying to squeeze my money and make a profit out of my desperation?
Nevertheless and hesitantly, I agreed to the tests, and to pay the charge.
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