Can you explain the school observation recommended by the Psychologist?

School observations are a valuable tool our psychologists use to understand better your child's behaviour and experiences within their educational environment. This article explains what school observations involve, why psychologists might recommend them, and how they are arranged.

Why We Recommend School Observations

Our psychologists often recommend school observations as part of their assessment process. These observations provide crucial insights to help us tailor interventions and support strategies to promote your child's academic and personal development within their learning environment.

We typically conduct school observations to observe your child's specific behaviours or overall functioning in their natural school environment, gather additional information for psychological assessments, complete diagnostic assessments, or provide a second opinion about your child's behaviour in the school setting.

Duration and Process

A typical school observation lasts between one to two hours, though this may vary depending on your child's specific circumstances. In rare cases, multiple sessions may be necessary to gather comprehensive information.

Booking and Arrangements

Once a school observation is recommended, our customer service team will provide you with detailed information about costs and processes. The booking process involves several steps:

1. Parents must provide written approval for the observation
2. Our team will coordinate with the school to arrange a suitable time
3. Communication will occur via both phone and email with relevant school staff

Please note that several school staff members, including the principal, counselling team, and your child's teacher(s), may need to be informed about the observation.

Costs and Fees

The cost of a school observation includes the psychologist's professional time, administrative tasks, and travel expenses (including tolls, parking, and taxi fares). Upon request, we will email you a cost estimate.

Please be aware that final costs may vary by up to 15% from the initial estimate. Just like all other services, please consult our schedule of fees.

Your Child's Awareness

Whether your child knows they are being observed depends on the specific purpose of the observation. In some cases, children may be unaware of the observation, while in others, they may be informed. Your psychologist will discuss this aspect based on your child's circumstances.

School Staff Involvement

School staff members may be involved in or aware of the observation process. This typically includes:

• The school principal
• School counsellor and counselling team
• Administrative staff
• Your child's teacher(s)

After the Observation

Following the school observation, a 30-minute parent consultation appointment will be scheduled with your psychologist. During this consultation, your psychologist will discuss their observations and provide recommendations. Please note that:

• Written reports or observation notes are not provided separately
• All findings and recommendations are discussed during the follow-up consultation

Privacy Considerations

While we maintain strict confidentiality according to our privacy policy, it's important to understand that multiple school staff members will know that an observation is taking place. If you have specific privacy concerns, we strongly encourage you to talk about these with your psychologist before approving the school observation.

The content and notes from the observation remain confidential.