Understanding Your Child's Report is Like Unpacking a Treasure Chest

After your child's assessment, you're presented with a treasure chest filled to the brim with a wealth of valuable information - a trove of historical records, testing data, and a treasure map of recommendations. The assessment professional, much like a seasoned explorer, meticulously assembled this treasure chest and, ideally, served as your guide, explaining the landmarks on the map and guiding you through its contents.

However, despite this generous offering, many parents find themselves adrift in a sea of uncertainty, pondering how they are supposed to navigate this uncharted territory. You may find yourself feeling like an adventurer standing at the precipice wondering...

Now what? ... Where do I begin? ... What's our next move?

Navigating this treasure chest can be a daunting expedition. Deciphering what these insights mean in the context of your child's life and determining the initial course of action is akin to sorting through a trove of riches.

To assist you post-assessment, our initial task is to transform your child's report into:

1. Clear nuggets of wisdom to comprehend your child's unique profile.
2. An understanding of what the diagnosis signifies for your child.
3. Tangible first steps to take.

Here's our strategy:

Translating Your Child's Report: "Exploring a Hidden Treasure Chest"

Your child's report is like a treasure chest filled with valuable gems and artifacts, each representing different aspects of your child's abilities and challenges. In order to simplify this intricate process, I like to draw a parallel with unlocking the secrets of a complex map. This will help you envision how your child's mind holds hidden treasures, what areas require further exploration (in other words, pinpoint the areas where growth and support are crucial), and which tools will be the most effective for uncovering these treasures to assist with your child's journey.

In essence, we transform the report's data into four distinct elements:

Treasures (strengths): Just as a treasure chest holds precious gems, your child's mind possesses areas of strength, which we can refer to as treasures. These are the hidden gems that make learning and growth effortless. Our first task is to identify and appreciate these treasures, much like discovering valuable gems in a chest.

• What does your child excel at?
• What are their preferred learning methods?

These treasures may be located in the report's "Summary" section or under "Observations". If you're uncertain, consult your child's assessor for guidance.

Uncharted Territories (areas for growth & support): These are the unexplored regions of your child's mind – the skills and strategies they are yet to discover. Instead of cataloging every uncharted territory, focus on the top 1-3 areas that are crucial for exploration.

• What are the top three areas your child is actively exploring?
• How can we visualize these skills in everyday life, both at home and at school?

Look for this information in the "Summary" section of the report, or seek clarification from your child's assessor if needed.

The Map's Legend (what it means for them): A diagnosis serves as the map key, providing a legend to help us decipher the treasures and uncharted territories you've identified.

• Is there a specific term for your child's unique treasure map?
• If you were to search for resources, what keywords would you use?

You can understand your child's diagnosis or eligibility category by combining their treasures and uncharted territories.

Think: For my child, [diagnosis/eligibility] means their treasure map reveals hidden gems while pointing to areas yet to be explored.

For example:

For my child, ADHD means their treasure map unveils creative thinking gems but highlights the need for support in converting thoughts into actions.

For my child, dyslexia means they excel in visual arts and storytelling but face challenges in reading stories.

For my child, dysgraphia means their treasure chest is overflowing with imaginative ideas, but they struggle to translate those thoughts into written words.

Tools & Fellow Explorers (recommendations): Think of the recommendations from the evaluator as the tools and an expert crew needed for your child's grand adventure of uncovering the treasures and navigating the uncharted territories of their mind. These tools are the strategies and materials required for successful exploration. The expert crew comprises educators, tutors, coaches, therapists, and family members.

Evaluators may provide an extensive list of recommendations. Choose the top five that feel most crucial to start with. This selection ensures a clear and focused approach to uncovering the hidden treasures.

If you're unsure, ask the evaluator:

If we could only use 5 tools from your recommendations, which should they be?

With this toolkit in hand, many families find it much easier to:

• Communicate with teachers about the most effective strategies for their child.
• Share valuable insights with family members.
• Embark on the most essential steps to assist their child in discovering and harnessing their hidden treasures.

Consider bringing a copy of this toolkit to your next meeting as a way to take notes and ensure you leave with clear information and actionable next steps. You'll have a clear path forward, like an intrepid explorer with a well-marked map.