Observation Observation is a tool that a school psychologist uses in each meeting with a child. The psychologist also observes the child in natural environments such as the classroom or playground. There the child may be seen influencing and being influenced by others. Observations help the psychologist to gain a sense of the child's behaviour, to compare the child's behaviour with the behaviour of peers, to record the events and conditions that are present when the child behaves in certain ways, and to help determine whether the child requires skill development or motivation. The school psychologist may interview the child, the child's parents, and the child's teachers.
Interviews help establish a developmental picture of the child.
Only with an accurate picture of the child's development and present functioning the psychologist can make realistic, relevant recommendations for the child. The school psychologist may ask the child, the parents, or the teachers to fill out a check list or a questionnaire. A behavioral check list asks parents to rate the child's behaviour to help identify possible behavioral difficulties. An adaptive behaviour check list asks the parent to rate the child's ability to perform daily, personal and social activities in order to assess life-skills. A questionnaire or check list provides the psychologist with specific detailed information for the assessment.