Question
Should parents be included in a speech and language assessment with a child?
Answer
In most situations, we think about keeping the testing environment as structured as possible, making sure there are limited distractions. However, in the case of early childhood, it is best practice to have parents involved as much as possible. There are a number of reasons for that. The first one is that parents can help motivate children to work appropriately. Secondly, they can elicit certain responses or certain behaviors that we may not be able to elicit. They may know how to get something to happen when we may not. There are many benefits to having parents in the testing setting. However, you do not want parents answering for the child.
Dr. Adam Scheller is a Licensed School Psychologist employed as a Senior Educational Consultant with Pearson Clinical Assessment. He earned his Ph.D. in School Psychology from Duquesne University, focusing on school and neuropsychological practice. He presents frequently on the application of neuropsychological, language, academic, and functional assessment in the scope of school-based practice.
