As a parent, it’s natural to want the best for your child. Whether it’s making sure they get proper nutrition, that they’re getting along with the other kids at school, or that they know when it’s time to get some sleep, you’re doing your best as a parent.
It’s also natural to feel a sense of overwhelm when it comes to figuring out what they need and when they need it, especially when supporting their growth, development, and well-being. That’s why now is the best time to get an assessment for your child. Undergoing this process can make a world of difference to their life.
If you’ve noticed signs that your child may need some extra help, whether for their communication skills, learning skills, behavioural skills, or social skills, then this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn how it’ll benefit your family to get an assessment for your children now.
Reason 1: Early Intervention Leads to Better Outcomes
According to research, early intervention for children faced with language and speech barriers in their development journey results in benefits seen as early as 12 months of age. This among several other studies have consistently shown that the sooner a child receives the support they need, the more progress they can make in building essential life skills. So when it comes to addressing developmental delays, behavioural concerns, and learning challenges, early intervention is key.
Whether your child needs speech-language therapy, social skills building, or assistance with their learning challenges, early identification and assessment allows for specific therapeutic strategies to take place that encourage children’s personal growth.
Reason 2: Avoid Treatment Delay Due to the Waitlist ‘Waiting Game’
In Canada, the waitlist for receiving mental health services for children is one of the biggest challenges parents face when it comes to finding the support their child needs. One study from Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) found that some children and youth wait as long as 2.5 years for mental health care.
Further delay of the assessment process on the family’s part could mean months, even years, of waiting to receive the right support, when the reality is that such support is needed far earlier in a child’s life. By starting the waitlist process now, you’re ensuring that your child gets the help they need as soon as possible.
Thankfully, Sparkling Seeds was launched specifically to address that particular gap in receiving early intervention services for children. By connecting with our team of specialists today, you can reduce your time spent playing the waitlist ‘waiting game’.
Reason 3: Get a Better Understanding of Your Child’s Unique Needs
Not only does an assessment provide valuable insights into your child’s strengths and areas of need, but also there are more specific assessments available for families than ever before. These assessments allow parents, teachers, and therapists to work collaboratively rather than individually in creating a personalized and complete plan that supports a child’s development. Knowing your child’s diagnosis and what works best for them can reduce familial frustration and improve your child’s confidence in themselves.
Reason 4: Ensure Adequate Support for Your Child at School
School should ideally be a place where children can thrive in their educational environment. However, learning disabilities (LDs) and similar conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can impact a child’s physical and mental health.
Provided early enough, an assessment can help parents to secure accommodations with their child’s teachers and educators and develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to better aid their academic journey. Without such support, children may struggle unnecessarily, which can have a poor impact on their self-esteem and well-being. Undergoing an assessment now will ensure your child receives the tools and strategies they need to enjoy their time spent at school and thrive regardless of their diagnosis.
Reason 5: Reduce Family Stress
When parents aren’t sure about how to best support their child’s development, it can lead to further unnecessary stress and uncertainty for everyone in the family. An assessment provides clarity, guidance, and access to resources that can ease concerns and help families feel more confident in their parenting journey.
Types of Assessments You Can Seek for Your Child
As with children, there are many different types of assessments offered at Sparkling Seeds in order to best suit their needs as well as receive a proper, official diagnosis, such as for ASD and ADHD. These are the types of assessments we offer:
Psychoeducational assessments: best for developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Learning disability (LD) assessments: best for diagnosing LDs such as dysgraphia and dyscalculia.
Intellectual disability (ID) assessments: best for determining if a child’s struggles meets the ID criteria.
Dyslexia assessments: best for diagnosing dyslexia and initiating targeted intervention to enhance reading skills.
ADHD/ADD assessments: best for diagnosing these conditions in children specifically, with the aim to develop strategies for better managing impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Gifted assessments: best for identifying children with higher-than-average intellectual abilities.
Developmental assessments: best for identifying delays in developmental journeys and milestones, such as social-emotional or motor skills.
Disability assessments for Developmental Services Ontario (DSO): best for determining a child’s eligibility for developmental services and supports through DSO.
Clinical-diagnostic assessments: best for diagnosing specific psychological disorders such as mood disorders, depression, and anxiety.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments: best for evaluating communication, social interaction, and behaviour, which include therapeutic and educational interventions.
Social-emotional behavioural functioning assessments: best for understanding a child’s current state of emotional regulation, social skills, and coping mechanisms.
For further information you can view our Clinical-Diagnostic Assessments in full.
Take the First Step with Sparkling Seeds
If you’re wondering whether your child could benefit from an assessment today, trust your instincts and reach out to our team. At Sparkling Seeds, we’re dedicated to guiding families and their children in all of the many walks of life. Our early identification via our clinical-diagnostic assessments paves the way to providing early support, and early support leads to better long-term outcomes.
Book a consultation at Sparkling Seeds to explore assessment options and how we can best support your child and family.
