All students struggle from time to time, but if your child is working hard and still falling behind or if school is becoming a source of frequent frustration, it may be a sign of something deeper. Your child may process information differently, or there may be an underlying learning or attention issue. Here are some signs that a psychological evaluation might be a good next step for your child:
- “Smart but Struggling”: If your child is bright but their grades don’t seem to reflect their potential or if they understand a concept when discussing it but struggle with written tests, there may be some processing or learning barriers.
- Homework Battles: If homework time ends in tears or frustration, it may be because they feel overwhelmed or don’t know where to start.
- Challenges with Follow-Through: If your child frequently forgets to turn in homework or struggles to follow multi-step directions, it may be the result of executive functioning difficulties.
- Running Out of Time: If your child leaves tests unfinished or works more slowly than peers, it may be a sign of processing speed challenges.
- One Subject Just Doesn’t “Click”: If your child struggles in one area but learns easily in others, it may be signal a specific learning disability.
- School Avoidance: If your child starts complaining of stomachaches or headaches (especially on school mornings), it may be a physical sign of growing academic stress.
If you are noticing any of these patterns, a psychological evaluation can help.
Psychological evaluations provide a roadmap for understanding your child’s unique learning profile and can help by:
- Pinpointing the Root Cause: Whether it’s ADHD, a specific learning disability, or a processing issue, understanding the “why” is the first step toward a solution.
- Accessing School Support: An evaluation report provides the documentation schools need to provide extra support, such as extended time on tests, a quiet workspace, or specialized instruction (often through an IEP or 504 Plan).
- Building Confidence: When children understand why they are struggling and what can be done to help, it often boosts their self-esteem and motivation.
At FamilyFirst, psychological testing helps clarify how children learn and process information, provides actionable recommendations, and supports them in thriving both in and out of the classroom.
Kelly Theis, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
About the Author:
Dr. Kelly Theis, PhD has been a licensed clinical psychologist for over 20 years. She is a co-founder, and the Director of Therapy Services for FamilyFirst Psychological Services, a Vienna, VA area mental health practice that specializes in child, teen and adult therapy and counseling services and psychological testing. Dr. Theis has expertise in offering psychotherapy to tweens, teens and adults and is highly skilled in conducting psychological evaluations for individuals of all ages. Her particular areas of therapeutic expertise include grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, identity issues, life transitions and family communication. Her treatment approaches include CBT, humanistic, emotionally focused and family systems therapy.
