Assessment Questions Answered
The Center for Psychology and Learning provides a broad range of assessment services. Common referrals include: IQ testing, giftedness testing, educational testing for learning disabilities, neuropsychological testing of executive functioning, memory, and attention, and psychological assessments of personality and behavioral functioning.
What is Psychological Testing?
Psychological testing refers to the battery of tests administered to evaluate the intellectual, learning, emotional and/or behavioral functioning. Children are typically referred for an assessment by their parents, pediatrician, or school for evaluation of:
- Attentional Problems or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Learning disabilities
- Processing problems or difficulties with executive functioning skills
- Giftedness
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders
- Psychological factors associated with medical conditions
- Disruptive behavior disorders
- Parent-Child relational problems
- Challenges in interacting with peers or adults
The test battery varies depending upon the referral questions, and can include a structured interview, assessment of intellectual capability, evaluation of executive functioning skills such as attention, processing and memory, academic achievement measures, projective measures, self-report surveys, parent and teacher checklists, and a school observation. The Center for Psychology and Learning places emphasis on working closely with schools to problem-solve for your child, for example by conducting school observations to understand the behaviors or concerns at school, and to share information effectively with school-based teams. Many evaluators are not familiar with educational processes and regulations, and thus write reports that are not easily adapted by the school or create an adversarial experience. Our experience in working with students in school sets our practice apart.
What types of assessment do we conduct?
During the evaluation process, an individualized testing battery is designed by the psychologist, based on the unique needs of the client and the questions to be answered within the evaluation.
INTELLIGENCE TESTING: A thorough evaluation of a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, which can include assessing developmental delays, intellectual giftedness, intellectual disabilities, language and communication skills, nonverbal reasoning skills, and processing speed.
ACHIEVEMENT TESTING: Educational testing examines academic achievement in order to determine the student’s skill level in areas of reading, mathematics and writing. In addition, the psychoeducational assessment can determine if the student has a specific learning disability such as dyslexia.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING: Neuropsychological assessments include testing in the areas of motor skills, visual-spatial skills, auditory-verbal skills, memory, and executive functioning, Executive functioning includes attention, organization and planning. Impairment in executive functioning skills is often related to a range of academic, behavioral and emotional difficulties. This is a very comprehensive evaluation that includes intellectual evaluation as well as neuropsychological tests.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING: Psychological testing includes evaluation of emotional functioning and personality evaluation. Assessments may include evaluation of the student’s behavioral, emotional, and social skills which may affect a child or adolescent's functioning at home and at school. We can include measures of depression, anxiety and adaptive skills in the testing, as well as provide a specific psychiatric diagnosis as is necessary.
Our assessments lead to detailed educational recommendations that can be used for educational planning and therapy recommendations that can assist in accomplishing treatment related goals.
What should I tell my child about the appointment?
Preparing your child for testing can help minimize anxiety and encourage cooperation. Before the day of testing, it is helpful to remind the child what the day will be like. Explain that the psychologist will learn all about them by asking them to answer questions, engage in activities, and complete school-like tasks. Testing can find out what a child is good at, look at how children learn in different ways, and help parents and teachers understand how he/she learns best. The day will include a variety of questions, puzzles, drawings, and stories as well as some school-like tasks like reading and math. While your child will be challenged, he or she will probably have fun with some of the tasks.
What happens after the testing?
Approximately three weeks after the testing, you will return to the office without your child for a discussion of the results. Depending on the age of your child, he or she may be included in the discussion. At this appointment, the psychologist will review the testing results, discuss recommendations, and answer any questions you may have. A written report is provided within about four weeks of that appointment. The report provides a written record of the testing that was completed, and provides specific recommendations so that parents, educational staff, physicians, and other professionals working with your child can coordinate a treatment plan that will enable your child to succeed.