What is psychological testing?
Psychological testing is a specialized way of assessing a child or adolescent’s patterns of behavior. By using a series of different kinds of assessment tools, the psychologist is able to make statements about the child’s way of being in the world, how they might react in particular situations, and what the strengths and weaknesses of their personality are. 

What happens in psychological testing?
Before meeting with the child and his parents, the psychologist reviews the background information supplied by the parents. Next, interviews are conducted with the child and parents, in which the psychologist works to create an atmosphere of cooperation and interest in the work being done, while gathering information that helps fill out the written material already available. 

After the interviews, the actual testing begins. Testing begins with simpler, interesting tasks such as drawings and copying of designs, and moves to more complicated techniques such as answering questions about him or her self, and telling stories to pictures presented by the psychologist. Often, the child will be given Rorschach inkblot test. Each test in the series has a specific purpose. 

Many of the techniques used are referred to as “projective” tests. This term means that the test provides an ambiguous stimulus, to which the child’s responses will represent how he or she sees the world and shapes their perceptions.  It is important to note that all of the instruments used have been subjected to thorough and extensive research, and are recognized as valid assessment tools by the professional community. 

In all of the techniques, the child and the psychologist work together in a supportive way. Children are helped to understand that the results of the testing will be very helpful to them and to their parents as a way of understanding themselves better. 

Of course, they are also helped to understand that the tests will also be part of planning for their schooling and perhaps to plan for counseling or therapy to help them with personal difficulties. 

When can psychological testing help my child?
Psychological testing is often required as part of an application process to specialized schools. The results of a well-administered assessment can help school personnel plan the best way to provide support and or limits to a child, since the test results will speak to a deeper picture of the child’s personality than would be otherwise be available. Testing may help determine what kind of techniques or strategies for both learning and behavior management are best for the particular child. At times, schools may make admission decisions based in part on the match between what the test suggests is the best approach and the school’s style and capacities. 

In the same way, psychological testing may be used by a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or counselor to plan and guide the specific course of treatment for the child. By identifying themes, tendencies, and receptivity to particular styles of treatment, testing can facilitate a quicker, more effective course of treatment. 

What else does psychological testing do?
In addition to the benefits described above, psychological testing also makes a significant contribution to the accurate diagnosis of psychological disorders. This, in turn, may influence admission and/or treatment decisions. However, diagnosis by itself is only a small part of what this testing can provide. In many ways, the specific understandings of how a child functions, and the particular indications about how best to respond to and treat the child are considerably more important than the diagnostic label.