What’s the Point of an Assessment, Isn’t It Just a Label?
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Whether or not to have yourself or your child undergo a psychological assessment can be a difficult choice, and there are many aspects to consider when making this decision. Assessments are a useful way to understand what the individual is going through, particularly for autism or anxiety.
Many parents feel that assessments are simply a way for psychologists to label everyone and may not have much value. At the same time, some argue that assessments are a necessary step to getting your child the help they need.
So, which one is it? Let’s find out!
The Power of Assessments and Labels
Every psychological assessment ends up with a formulation on what the individual’s experience is likely to be. At times, this may mean a diagnosis or what some consider a “label” being considered. Some believe that these labels can be limiting for people, with labels often associated with stigma. This is certainly a valid fear, although this is lessening over time with greater mental health awareness.
Assessments undoubtedly have their limitations, but they can also provide great value. Through an evaluation, you can truly understand the individual’s strengths and weaknesses. This information can bring about increased self-awareness and understanding, and also help inform others on how to best support them at school and at home.
Additionally, an assessment can allow an individual to gain additional support from school staff or even government programs. This added support can be vital!
The Pros and Cons of Psychological Assessments
There are many factors to consider when choosing whether or not to undergo an assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism or anxiety. Below we will go over some of the primary pros and cons of psychological evaluations.
The Pros of Psychological Assessments:
Provides clarity on the individual’s experience and development
Enables additional resources from other agencies such as school or workplace
Opens a greater possibility for support from friends and family
Allows understanding of the individual’s strengths and weaknesses
Creates a roadmap for what to do next
Current research is showing that when autism is understood earlier on, that these individuals tend to experience higher levels of well-being and reduced psychological distress in later life
The Cons of Psychological Assessments:
May highlight stigma-led responses from others
Can be time-consuming and a financial strain
Assessments can only be as good as the information available, and therefore not always accurate despite the practitioner’s best effort
But keeping all of the above factors in mind, at the end of the day, the choice of whether or not to get a psychological assessment is yours, and everyone may choose something different, and that is entirely valid. No two people are the same, and it is essential to follow your intuition on what you feel is best.
To Assess or Not to Assess? That Is the Question…
Everything in life has its positives and negatives, including choosing a psychological assessment for you or your child. At the end of the day, whatever choice you make will undoubtedly be the right one for you and your family.
It is also important to remember that the results of an assessment are not the final truth. Things can change over time, and any results or labels from an evaluation do not define you or your child, and they in no way indicate whether your child is “good” or “bad.”
Ultimately, an assessment can be an excellent way to get support for you or your child and understand them or yourself on a deeper level. Despite what any assessment says, your child is one of a kind and deserves all of the love and support in the world, no matter what you choose to do.