How to Discuss Psychoeducational Assessment Results with Your Child: A Parent’s Guide
- Sarah Breckenridge
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
As a child school psychologist, one of the most common questions I hear from parents after a psychoeducational assessment is: How do I explain these results to my child?
This is such an important step. A well-framed conversation can help your child feel understood, valued, and supported, rather than overwhelmed or discouraged.
An excellent resource for this process is Dr. Liz Angoff’s Brain Building Feedback Framework and her book “The Brain Building Book.” This approach helps parents and professionals talk about assessment results in a child-friendly, empowering way. It frames learning profiles as a roadmap for growth rather than a list of problems, and it is a resource used by the clinicians at WonderTree when providing feedback to children.
First, let's go back to the basics...
What is a psychoeducational assessment?
In simple terms, it’s a way to understand how your child learns best. Through activities, problem-solving tasks, and questionnaires, a psychologist gathers information about your child’s strengths, challenges, and learning style. The goal is to find out what supports your child needs to thrive at school and home.
If you haven’t already, consider reading our blog, Preparing Your Child for a Psychological Assessment: A Guide for Parents, which provides great context for these conversations and prepares your child for the assessment itself.
Once the assessment is completed, this guide can help you share results with your child in a way that is developmentally appropriate, celebrates strengths, and provides clarity about areas where they may need extra support.
1. Start with the Right Foundation
Before sharing results, it’s helpful for parents to feel confident in their own understanding of the assessment. Review the key sections of the report:
Summary and Recommendations: This is where you’ll find the most child-friendly takeaways.
Strengths and Needs: These areas help you create a balanced picture.
Next Steps: Look for recommendations about learning strategies, supports, and accommodations.
2. Choose the Right Time and Place
Set aside a calm, private time for this discussion. Pick a moment when your child is relaxed, such as after dinner or during a weekend afternoon. Avoid times of stress, such as right before school or bedtime.
3. Give Context About Why You Did the Assessment
Children often wonder why they had to go through testing. Give them an honest, simple explanation:
“We wanted to learn more about how your brain works so we can help you learn in the best way for you.”
“Everyone’s brain is different. This just helps us learn what things you’re really good at and what you might need some help with.”
Refer to the blog Preparing Your Child for a Psychological Assessment: A Guide for Parents if you need help reinforcing this.
4. Lead with Strengths
Children thrive when they feel valued. Begin by celebrating what your child does well. For example:
Younger children (ages 6–11): “Your brain is great at remembering stories and figuring out puzzles. That’s one of your superpowers!”
Older children/teens (ages 12–16): “You’re strong at understanding big ideas and organizing your thoughts. That’s going to help you a lot in school and in life.”
Highlighting strengths first reassures your child that the assessment is about understanding them better, not about finding faults.
5. Explain Areas of Need with Care
When talking about challenges, use language that is supportive and non-judgmental. Frame challenges as areas that need extra tools or practice rather than deficits.
Younger children: “Sometimes your brain needs a little extra help for math problems, and that’s okay. We’re going to find some fun ways to practice.”
Older children: “It looks like reading new words can take more effort for you. That’s why with the help of your teachers we are going to give you strategies to make it easier.”
Keep the focus on effort, strategies, and support rather than ability.
6. Prepare for Emotional Reactions
Children might feel relieved, curious, frustrated, or even worried. Let them know that any feeling is okay! You might say:
“It’s normal to feel a little nervous or frustrated when we talk about learning. We’re here to help and make things easier.”
“It’s okay if you have questions or if something feels confusing. We can figure it out together.”
Reassure them that challenges are normal, everybody’s brain works differently, and that help is available.
7. Link the Conversation to Action
Children feel reassured when they know there’s a plan. Share how the results will help:
“Because we know writing can be tricky sometimes, your teacher will give you more time for big assignments.”
“At home, we’re going to try some fun new reading games to make things easier.”
The assessment results are most powerful when they connect to real supports your child can see and feel. Ensure supports target both their areas of strength and need to maximize learning.
Make sure to include your child in planning these supports. Children know what makes learning feel best for them, so their voice is key in coming up with ideas.
8. Involve the Clinician
While some parents prefer to have this conversation privately, it can be a great idea to involve the psychologist who assessed your child when sharing results, even if just for part of the discussion. Your child may have questions and hearing information from a trusted professional can be very affirming. Most clinicians are happy to have a child-friendly feedback session to support your family. At WonderTree, this is offered as a standard part of the assessment process.
9. Keep the Conversation Ongoing
One discussion won’t answer every question. Let your child know you can revisit the topic anytime:
“You might have more questions later, and that’s totally fine. We can talk again whenever you want.”
Other Relevant Blogs to Explore at WonderTree
Explaining Autism to Your Child/Teen
Click HERE to access.
Explaining Giftedness to Your Child
Click HERE to access
Assistive Technology Tools
Click HERE to access
For more information about our assessment processes and supports, visit our assessment info page HERE!
WonderTree is here for you!
At WonderTree, we know that understanding a psychoeducational assessment can feel overwhelming. That’s why we support parents in reviewing results, breaking them down into everyday language, and exploring what they mean for your child’s learning and growth. Through parent coaching, we walk alongside you to help turn insights into action. Reach out today to learn how we can support your family.
If you want to get started on support first:
Unsure of what you may need?
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IMPORTANT: Information shared by WonderTree is not intended to replace or be constituted as clinical or medical care. It’s intended for educational purposes only. Each child is unique, and the information provided may not be applicable to your specific situation. If you need support, please establish care with a licensed provider so that they can provide tailored recommendations for you or your child. This blog is non-monetized.
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