The goal of psychological testing with children is to ensure that a child receives services, supports and accommodations to help them maximize success in all areas of functioning. During the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus, psychologists have to consider whether and how testing can help to achieve this goal.
Many children will not attend school in person for many months. Some students may be receiving supports provided for in an Individualized Education Program via telehealth, though many are not. Similarly, outpatient therapy supports may or may not be available under the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
As a result, when presented with a child who needs testing, psychologists should weigh the benefits of completing testing via telehealth versus waiting until in-person testing is available.
Here are the issues to consider when providing telehealth assessment to children and adolescents during the pandemic.