Traditional testing involves the use of a structured exam administered by a mental or behavioral health professional, usually in an office or laboratory. These types of tests have historically been the standard for assessing children for developmental disabilities. However, they are the criticized for their inability to look at the child's behavior in a natural environment. Traditional tests do not take into account that young children often lack the attention span necessary for traditional psychological tests and may be put at a disadvantage because they are not experienced test-takers.
Authentic assessments offer a team approach to assessment, so that different adults who are involved in the child's care work together to gain a full picture of how the child functions. Teachers and parents are integral to this process, creating teams comprised of people who know the child well and are able to interact with her in a natural way, over time.
One benefit to authentic assessments is that the child is observed in his natural environment. This means that parents record the child's behavior at home, while teachers observe her in the classroom. In this way, the child's behavior is assessed in both a play environment at home, as well as in the curricular environment of school. This gives assessors a real-life idea of how the child functions, and the child's true competencies and challenges can be considered as part of the overall assessment.
Although authentic assessments are done in a less stringent manner than traditional psychological tests, they also must be held to specific standards. When done correctly, these assessments yield accurate results. Thorough assessments usually take take, and observers may take between 15 and 30 days in each setting. Observers must also use precise, simple language in their description, free of bias or jargon.
Authentic assessments offer a developmentally appropriate way of assessing children. These assessments cater to the individual child. Since infants, toddlers and young children are at vastly different developmental stages, authentic assessments allow the child to be viewed on his own terms with regard to individual development. Observations done in the child's natural environment also help to link the assessment with interventions that are well-suited to that child, working with both her individual strengths as well as the cultural and socio-economic factors at play.