Remote Assessment of Child Cognitive Functioning: Virtually Standard?

Telehealth is now a widely used modality for providing mental health services to children. Cognitive assessment of children, traditionally accomplished in person, not only presents unique challenges to telehealth but also offers opportunities to address some access issues that have long plagued the field. After a brief review of the history of cognitive assessment of children, and an overview of the methods, goals, and practices of traditional assessment, this chapter details both practical and ethical issues central to the practice of remote cognitive assessment. In addition to discussion of these important issues, this chapter summarizes the existing literature supporting the validity of teletesting for children and offers comments on the state of teletesting’s potential to reduce healthcare disparities. Tips and guidelines for practitioners who wish to obtain training in remote assessment of children are presented. Finally, a case illustrating the challenges and benefits of teletesting with children is discussed.