Evaluations
Evaluations are individualized based on presenting issues and are fine-tuned by professional judgment and extensive experience as testing progresses. The following describes the broad categories of evaluation although parts of each may be incorporated into any individual assessment.
Neuropsychological Evaluation- this is a comprehensive evaluation to assess, understand, and integrate physical and psychological issues that disrupt cognitive and social/emotional functioning. This evaluation may be requested to help diagnose or gain a greater understanding of the impact of acquired, genetic, neurologic, or developmental disorders, insults, injuries, or diseases, and/or on-going physiological influences (e.g. drugs, sleep disorder, nutritional imbalances) on social and school/work functioning. Common questions involve the presence and/or impact of learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, Tourette's syndrome, autism and Asperger's spectrum disorders, nonverbal learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, brain injury, Lyme's disease, mood disorders, sleep disturbance, and other neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The evaluation includes a through review of background information and relevant records, current information from those familiar with the individual, and testing of intellectual, cognitive and executive functioning (e.g. attention, processing speed, memory, cognitive flexibility, abstraction ability, language, visual processing, motor, sensation) along with educational and social/emotional assessment, as needed. Not only is the pattern of test scores considered but equally important is careful and knowledgeable observations of the process by which the individual approaches and solves problems. Further, testing procedures are used to learn how to maximize an individual's ability to perform. The information gathered is analyzed and integrated into a functional understanding of the individual, emphasizing strengths and understanding deficits. Comprehensive treatment recommendations are provided to address all issues found, including psychological intervention, medication recommendations, and academic accommodations.
Psychoeducational Assessment- this type of evaluation assesses a student's intellectual, cognitive, executive functioning, and educational abilities in depth to understand strengths and weaknesses affecting learning and school performance. Reviewing background information including educational records, gathering observer information, administering standardized intellectual, cognitive, verbal/language, visual processing, executive functioning, and educational testing are performed. When necessary, a classroom observation is performed. A screening of social/emotional functioning is included since such issues often coexist with, or are consequences of, learning difficulties. Psychoeducational assessment typically is requested to investigate learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, processing speed disorders, language disorders, visual processing disorders, or poor school performance. Utilizing the information obtained, a comprehensive set of educational recommendations and accommodations are provided, including teaching strategies and extended time for test-taking during courses or on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.
Therapy-Facilitating Assessment (TM)- This service is provided upon referral by a mental health therapist. The assessment focuses on providing treatment-relevant information to assist psychotherapists in the creation, modification, and implementation of therapy treatment plans. It addresses a patient's likely underlying psychodynamics, responses to different therapeutic interventions, and identifies patient-specific factors that may facilitate and/or impede the therapeutic process. The assessment also provides objective information useful for clarifying diagnoses. Interviews, observations, objective personality measures, performance-based tests, and rating scales all may be part of this assessment.
Independent School Admission Testing- this includes administration of appropriate intellectual test, such as the Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children (WISC), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), or other intellectual tests (e.g. a nonverbal test of intelligence when language is an issue), as well as any necessary educational achievement testing.
Neuropsychological Evaluation- this is a comprehensive evaluation to assess, understand, and integrate physical and psychological issues that disrupt cognitive and social/emotional functioning. This evaluation may be requested to help diagnose or gain a greater understanding of the impact of acquired, genetic, neurologic, or developmental disorders, insults, injuries, or diseases, and/or on-going physiological influences (e.g. drugs, sleep disorder, nutritional imbalances) on social and school/work functioning. Common questions involve the presence and/or impact of learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, Tourette's syndrome, autism and Asperger's spectrum disorders, nonverbal learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, brain injury, Lyme's disease, mood disorders, sleep disturbance, and other neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The evaluation includes a through review of background information and relevant records, current information from those familiar with the individual, and testing of intellectual, cognitive and executive functioning (e.g. attention, processing speed, memory, cognitive flexibility, abstraction ability, language, visual processing, motor, sensation) along with educational and social/emotional assessment, as needed. Not only is the pattern of test scores considered but equally important is careful and knowledgeable observations of the process by which the individual approaches and solves problems. Further, testing procedures are used to learn how to maximize an individual's ability to perform. The information gathered is analyzed and integrated into a functional understanding of the individual, emphasizing strengths and understanding deficits. Comprehensive treatment recommendations are provided to address all issues found, including psychological intervention, medication recommendations, and academic accommodations.
Psychoeducational Assessment- this type of evaluation assesses a student's intellectual, cognitive, executive functioning, and educational abilities in depth to understand strengths and weaknesses affecting learning and school performance. Reviewing background information including educational records, gathering observer information, administering standardized intellectual, cognitive, verbal/language, visual processing, executive functioning, and educational testing are performed. When necessary, a classroom observation is performed. A screening of social/emotional functioning is included since such issues often coexist with, or are consequences of, learning difficulties. Psychoeducational assessment typically is requested to investigate learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, processing speed disorders, language disorders, visual processing disorders, or poor school performance. Utilizing the information obtained, a comprehensive set of educational recommendations and accommodations are provided, including teaching strategies and extended time for test-taking during courses or on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.
Therapy-Facilitating Assessment (TM)- This service is provided upon referral by a mental health therapist. The assessment focuses on providing treatment-relevant information to assist psychotherapists in the creation, modification, and implementation of therapy treatment plans. It addresses a patient's likely underlying psychodynamics, responses to different therapeutic interventions, and identifies patient-specific factors that may facilitate and/or impede the therapeutic process. The assessment also provides objective information useful for clarifying diagnoses. Interviews, observations, objective personality measures, performance-based tests, and rating scales all may be part of this assessment.
Independent School Admission Testing- this includes administration of appropriate intellectual test, such as the Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children (WISC), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), or other intellectual tests (e.g. a nonverbal test of intelligence when language is an issue), as well as any necessary educational achievement testing.