Special Needs Assessment – Trinidad and Tobago
Parents sometimes are at a loss as to what direction to take or what to do next when their children are not reacting the way the believed they should. Is this just the “terrible twos” or is this something more serious? This is something I wonder about as it was always a story told in the family that I hardly talked as a child, then started talking in complete sentences at 4 years old. Should I have been assessed at that time?
Then there are the parents of the seven year old child, who struggles to pay attention in class. The parent wonders, “is it just that the teacher is boring or is my child too advanced for the class?”. Then of course one of the major trigger points in Trinidad and Tobago: “Your child has to stay down a year!” or “SEA is approaching and the scores being produced are not what was expected!”. Then there is teenager who has poor or inconsistent academic performance or self harms.
Then someone says “did you get your child checked?” What does that even mean? Where can it be done? Is it just that I am a “bad” parent or my child “spoil”?. Is all this really necessary?????
I originally was going to write this article with some of my experience as a parent, but then Marina Torres, a well known practitioner in this space in Trinidad and Tobago, agreed to discuss it with us at MyTriniChile. She is a Child Development and Education Specialist and a co-founder of Parenting TT. She agreed to give her perspective and guidance in this area to the My Trini Chile family.
Here are some quick links to help you to jump to the area you are interested in:
- When should I get an Assessment done?
- Where can I get an Assessment done for my child in Trinidad and Tobago?
- What is the kind of Cost to get an Assessment?
- What does getting a “Letter” mean?
When should I get an assessment done?
My perspective as a parent – If you feel uncomfortable or if you are questioning at any stage of your child’s life, go ahead and get an assessment done.
Marina Torres – There are developmental milestones that your child should be achieving on average. These charts are available at your pediatrician or at the health centers in your area. If you believe your child is not achieving these milestones, have a discussion with your pediatrician or go into the health center and have a discussion with the nurses/doctors there. They see many children and would be able to recognize certain patterns.
If your child is already attending school or day care, the teachers also have good insight into if your child’s behaviour is unusual. Ask to meet with them and discuss with them if they notice anything that the child may be behind in. There may also be an instance where the child is an advanced learner and that can also be flagged and checked for. The teacher or day care provider can sometimes indicate if they believe an assessment should be done.
There are different flags at different ages. For example at preschool level:
- Do they have difficulty socializing or speaking, making sentences or being able to hold a conversation.
- They are not interested in holding a crayon or pen and having motor skill difficulties.
- Can they do the routine of lining up and eating in a group
Remember that routine at home is also important. Not placing your child in front of screens but having social interaction and routine will also affect your child’s ability to hit certain developmental milestones. Or maybe it is a very active family who never sit still at home so at first the children would have difficulty sitting at school.
Then at teenager level there may be different flags such as
- Self harm
- Behavioral issues.
Examples of charts for different ages.
Where can I get an Assessment done for my child in Trinidad and Tobago?
My perspective as a parent – There are public free options and paid private options to get assessments done. Both have waiting periods and you usually will get the private one faster than the public options. Both areas have excellent professionals available.
Marina Torres – Your Teacher, Paediatrician or Health Center personnel have persons that they can refer you to. Different people do different types of Assessments and those professionals can usually guide you to possibilities of who can do the Assessment. I have been referred to by parents, grandparents and family members who had similar experiences, by teachers, by nurses and by pediatricians.
If you are seeking private intervention, ask for three names of persons you can go to. Also do your own research, Google the persons, see if it is a good fit for you and your child. Remember a child’s personality may match better dependent on the professional’s personality.
If you are taking the public route you can get it done through the Ministry of Education or through satellite health centers. There are pediatricians and other professionals at the health center who can guide you. You may also be directed to one of the larger Health Centers dependent on your area.
Some options:
What is the kind of Cost to get an Assessment?
My perspective as a parent – This article is being written in 2022. Over the last five years I have heard anywhere from 5K to 10K TTD dollars for an assessment to be conducted at private institutions. Of course if it is done in the Public Sector it is done free of charge.
Marina Torres – The cost can range from free in the Public Sector, Student Support Services Division, to $4000 TTD to $8000 TTD in the Private Sector. Parenting TT subsidizes the cost of the Assessment but there is a waiting list. That starts at $5500 TTD but depending on the type of Assessment it can be more. There is also UWI Pedic that also subsidizes the cost at the teaching hospital for assessments and they start at $4000 TTD.
What does getting a “Letter” mean?
My perspective as a parent – Parents want extra time or other concessions for SEA. A letter and assessment is required to start this process. The assessment is more than that. Make sure and follow up and get guidance on the best approaches to help your child to cope. Each child is different.
Marina Torres – Many people do this assessment to get a “letter” for concessions for the different local examinations. Some children are recommended for extra time or a special room to do the exam or a special aide during the examinations. Parents get a report which contains the recommendations and the Ministry Of Education, Trinidad and Tobago, has to agree/approve the concessions the child qualifies for. They may not always ask for an accompanying letter. So focus on the report as opposed to the letter because often parents come expecting that and not the entire process.
The teachers should teach the children how to use the extra time or other concessions that have been given. Some guidance on how to best use the concessions are needed to maximize the effectiveness of the recommendations.
An assessment is good for the Ministry of Education for three years. Some parents delay getting an assessment until Std 3 so they will have the letter for SEA. Please do not delay. If you recognize help is needed in Std 1 please start the process. If money is an issue, then start the process in the Public Sector. The important person here is the child. If you child is having issues in Std 1, then seek out help immediately do not wait.
Parting Words
My perspective as a parent – What ever route you do get it done and get it done sooner rather than later. Do not wait. Apply now and treat both you and your child gently and with love while you wait.
Marina Torres – Having a child assessed is a reflection of your parenting consciousness and it is recognition that you need expert advise. It is not a reflection of your parenting ability and it is awareness of your child’s development. Do not take it personally.
Some Contact Links
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION HOTLINE SERVICE
Contact us via phone or WhatsApp at the following numbers:
(These numbers are as at 2021. The Ministry of Health Mental Health Page can be found here)
| Officer | Education | District Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Keisha Garcia | St Patrick District | 347-0975 |
| Kesha Pierre | North Eastern District | 678-9027 |
| Kimberley Salvary | St. George East District | 749-5853 |
| Marion des Vignes | South Eastern District | 685-2180 |
| Natalie Robinson-Arnold | All Education District | 724-1010 |
| Sabrina Peters | Victoria District | 495-7575 |
| Sharon King | Port of Spain District | 273-7979 |
The University of the West Indies – School of Education
Psychoeducational Diagnostic and Intervention Clinic (PEDIC)
Website: https://sta.uwi.edu/fhe/education/node/235
Telephone: (868) 662-2002 ext. 84511/84512; (868) 663-8914
Email: pedic@sta.uwi.edu (for general enquiries and appointments)
PEDICReadingClinic@sta.uwi.edu (for enquiries on reading services and appointments)
Address:
The University of the West Indies – School of Education
Psychoeducational Diagnostic and Intervention Clinic (PEDIC)
Family Development Centre Building
43 St. John Road
St. Augustine
Parenting TT
Website: https://www.parentingtt.org/
LP#66 Meade Street Extension, El Dorado, Trinidad and Tobago
Phone: 662-8264 / 753-4788 (4PTT) / 787-4788 (4PTT)
Email: parentingtt@admin
