If your child just had an evaluation and you’re staring at scores, percentiles, and reports thinking, “What am I even looking at?”. Testing feels intimidating for most parents—especially when your child is dysregulated and you’re desperate for answers.
In this episode, we unpack what psychoeducational evaluations really measure, how to interpret the data, and how to use those insights to guide school decisions, supports, and accommodations.
Why is my child’s psychoeducational evaluation so confusing?
Testing is full of stats, jargon, and charts that can make any parent’s eyes glaze over. But the data matters—because it tells us what’s going on inside your child’s brain and what supports will help.
A good evaluation should:
- Identify strengths and weaknesses
- Show how disabilities or lagging skills affect learning
- Guide decisions about remediation, accommodations, and placement
- Help you track progress over time
Real-life example: A parent once showed me a report that looked “fine,” but the percentile ranks ranged from the 25th to the 99th. That huge gap explained why homework time felt like a daily meltdown—massive variability equals massive frustration for kids.
What’s the difference between a school evaluation and a private evaluation?
Parents often assume both tests do the same thing, but they don’t.
Private evaluation:
- Gives full learning profile
- Identifies functional weaknesses
- Helps you understand why your child struggles
School evaluation:
- Determines whether the school will provide accommodations
- Focuses on access, not root causes
- Doesn’t always explain “why,” just “yes or no” for supports
Important reminder: Don’t let schools start by talking about the program. First define the needs—then decide the support plan.
How do I understand percentile ranks, standard scores, and variability?
All those numbers tell a story—once you know how to read them.
Percentile ranks show:
- Where your child falls compared to 100 same-age peers
- How consistent (or inconsistent) their processing is
- Whether skills fall inside or outside the “average” range
Standard deviation matters because:
- It indicates how far a score is from typical
- Falling below average often means your child needs remediation
Picture this: A child with high reasoning skills (90th percentile) but low processing speed (25th percentile) may look smart on paper—but feels constantly overwhelmed. That mismatch fuels dysregulation.
How do I use these test results to make real educational decisions?
Data isn’t there to scare you—it’s there to empower you.
Use your child’s evaluation to:
- Compare multiple tests over time
- Demonstrate progress or lack of progress
- Advocate for program changes
- Request deeper, more comprehensive testing when needed
Organize the data so you can clearly see patterns—because behavior is communication, and testing reveals what the behavior has been trying to say.
When your child is dysregulated, it’s easy to feel helpless.
The Regulation Rescue Kit gives you the scripts and strategies you need to stay grounded and in control. Become a Dysregulation Insider VIP at www.drroseann.com/newsletter and get your free kit today.
🗣️ “Don’t be afraid of the data. Own it, learn more about it, and understand your kids’ difficulties.”
— Dr. Roseann
Understanding psychoeducational evaluations gives you power—the power to make informed decisions, advocate confidently, and get your child what they truly need. When you know how to read the data, it’s gonna be OK, because you can finally see the path forward.
FAQ
What does a psychoeducational evaluation measure?
It assesses cognitive skills, academic abilities, processing, and how your child’s brain learns—highlighting strengths and weaknesses.
Why are percentile ranks important?
They show how your child compares to peers and reveal hidden variability that can impact behavior and learning.
Can I request more testing if something feels off?
Yes. Parents can always request deeper, more comprehensive testing when data feels incomplete.
What if school testing doesn’t explain my child’s struggles?
Private evaluations often provide the “why” behind difficulties, not just eligibility answers.
How do I know if my child needs remediation?
Scores outside the average percentile range often signal a need for targeted intervention.
Next Step:
Become Your Child’s Best Advocate!
Download The Ultimate Guide to School Accommodations
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