What Does This Even Mean? A Parent’s Guide to Making Sense of Your Child’s Psycho-Educational Evaluation

Have you ever read your child’s psycho-educational evaluation and thought, “I don’t get any of this”?

You expected some clear answers but instead, you got a long report filled with scores, charts, and strange words like “processing speed” or “working memory.” You want to help your child but you're stuck wondering:

“What does this actually mean?”
“What am I supposed to do now?”

You are not alone and it is not your fault.

One mom told me she cried after reading her son’s report. Not because of the results but because she didn’t know what to do with them. She said, “I just wanted someone to tell me how to help my child, and instead I got this packet I can’t even understand.”

We hear stories like that all the time.

Parents care so deeply. They want to support their kids. But these reports are full of technical words and not enough clear answers. And while we are trying to figure it all out, our kids are still struggling, feeling frustrated, falling behind, and sometimes even blaming themselves.

But here is the good news. There is a way to make it all clearer.

In this post, I will show you how parents like you can understand what those test results actually mean and how to turn them into real, simple steps to help your child at home and at school.

You do not need to be an expert. You just need the right kind of help. Let’s break it down together.

WHAT YOUR CHILD’S PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION MIGHT BE TRYING TO TELL YOU

Sometimes, test results can feel more confusing than helpful. All the numbers and terms can make you wonder, “What does this actually mean for my child?”

Let’s go through two real examples. These are based on what we have seen with other kids and how small changes made a big difference.

1. If your child has trouble remembering instructions

What the report might say:
Something like “low working memory” on the WISC, a measure of intellectual functioning. 

What that really means:
Your child may have a hard time remembering lots of things at once
For example, if you tell them to clean your room, then brush your teeth, and get your bag, they might only remember the first part

What this can look like at home or school:

• They forget steps.

• They ask you to repeat things.

• They get stuck halfway through a task

What can help:

• Give one instruction at a time.

• Write it down if you can (like a sticky note or small checklist).

• Use simple phrases like “First do this, then do that”.
  

Break things into smaller steps

What one parent noticed:

Their child stopped feeling so overwhelmed. With fewer steps to remember, they were able to finish tasks on their own and felt proud doing it.

2. If your child needs more time to think or finish things

What the report might say:
Something like “slow processing speed”  on the WISC, a measure of intellectual functioning. 

What that really means:
Your child may just need more time to take in information or get their thoughts out.
It does not mean they are not smart; it just means their brain works at a different pace.

What this can look like:

• Homework takes longer than usual.

• They get nervous with timers or fast-paced tasks.

• They rush and make mistakes just to finish on time.
  

What can help:

• Give them more time and remove the pressure to go fast.

• Use shorter worksheets with fewer questions.

• Let them speak their answers or use tools like speech to text.

Focus on understanding, not speed.

What one family saw:
Once the pressure to finish fast was gone, their child felt less anxious and started doing better in school.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Your child’s test scores aren’t about what’s wrong. They just show how your child learns and what kind of help might work best for them.

Even small changes, like giving them more time or breaking tasks into steps, can make a big difference.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. That’s why we’re here.

Our workshop is made for parents like you. We’ll help you understand the reports in simple terms and show you real ways to support your child at home and in school.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about scores. It’s about helping your child feel understood and do their best. That starts with you.

If you’re feeling lost or just want clear answers, join our parent workshop. We’ll walk you through it, step by step.

Learn more or sign up at www.themindcenterforkids.com/workshop

Your child doesn’t need you to be perfect. They just need you and the right support.

The Mind Center, LLC is a thought leadership mental health brand dedicated to helping parents, their kids, and the schools they attend. At The Mind Center LLC, we specialize in psycho-educational evaluations and offer a range of services to support children. Contact us today.