PYC 4807 Assignment 2 Becky 86%

Psychological Assessment

PYC 4807

Unique Number: 822799

Due Date: 30 June 2017

,Table of Contents: Page

1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………..1
2. Context and Aim of the Assessment
2.1. Context ………………………………………………………………….. 2
2.2. Rationale for Testing……………………………………………………...3
3. Compiling a Test Battery
3.1. Type of Test ………………………………………………………………4
3.2. Normative Information …………………………………………………...5
3.3. Psychometric Properties…………………………………………………. 5
3.4. Test Type appropriate to child’s age and problem………………………...6
3.5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Griffiths III …………………………..6
3.6. Description if the aim and purpose of the test …………………………… 6
3.7. Brief description of the content of the test ………………………………. 7
3.8. Degree to which the child resembles the norm group and especially
a discussion on culture and language………………………………………7
4. Administration, interpretation of results and Feedback
4.1. Process of Administration ……………………………………………….. 8
4.2. Ethical Considerations…………………………………………………… 9
4.2.1 Confidentiality ……………………………………………………10
4.2.2 Accountability…………………………………………………….10
5. Tentative Recommendations ………………………………………………….10
6. Format of Feedback …………………………………………………………...11
7. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..12
8. References……………………………………………………………………..14

, 1. Introduction

This case examines Becky, an adopted child, whose parents reside in a rural community. Becky’s
native language is Xhosa, and her chronological age is 4 years and 11 months. Prior to the adoption,
Becky appeared to have a history of neglect and lack of stimulation, and later displayed signs of
poor development in speech and language. She was then referred to a Speech and Language
Therapy service by a Paediatrician at the age of just three years old. Therapists found that she had a
delay of 12 months in terms of her speech and language skills.

From the above, it is clear that there are many environmental and contextual factors that have
hindered Becky’s full cognitive developmental potential. Since Becky was severely neglected, she
was unable to engage and explore her physical and social worlds adequately.

This impairment is further verified by her mother, who has confirmed that Becky is displaying signs
of behavioural and psychosocial difficulties. This may be as a result of the frustration felt in not
being able to communicate adequately. These developmental delays as well as the pressing need to
enrol in school in a year’s time, means that a test is imperative for the child.

Since children are vulnerable and susceptible, great care was taken as to which test would be most
relevant for Becky, taking into consideration her history of neglect and the subsequent
maladjustment. The administering of assessments has to be conducted in a culturally sensitive
manner, and the test has to be age appropriate.

For these reasons, a suitable test battery will be compiled taking into consideration Becky’s age, her
history of neglect and minimal stimulation and her mother tongue. The admiration process has to be
culturally sensitive and special care should be taken that at this stage Becky may be reluctant to
engage with strangers. The results of the administration also need to be conveyed in a manner that
will be understood by both the grandmother and the mother’s level of education

2. Context and aim of the assessment

2.1. Context:

Becky, an adopted child, showed delays in speech and language form a very early age. She was
referred by a paediatrician to a Speech and Language Centre, when she was three years old. An
assessment was completed at that stage, which demonstrated that her speech and language skills
were delayed by 12 months. So in conclusion, the assessment showed that she did in fact lag behind
her peers in her speech and language development, and was functioning at the level of a 2 year old
and not a 3 year old.
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