Psychological Assessment

Assessment Overview
Psychological Assessment is a formal means of gathering information to aid in diagnosis and treatment.   A thorough assessment involves clinical interviews to gather history and background information, observations, and the administration of specific test instruments.  When the testing process is completed, the assessment clinician will provide a written report, and will meet with the parents to discuss the test results. 

Why do we do Testing?
When a child is having emotional or behavioral difficulties that are interfering with their ability to thrive, testing can help to get an accurate picture of the child’s level of functioning, including strengths as well as weaknesses.  Certain problems, such as Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, require formal testing to make an accurate diagnosis, while others, such as anxiety and depression, can be assessed through a fairly brief screening.  Often, schools may work with parents to initiate testing if they suspect that a child may have a Learning Disability that is interfering with the child’s ability to succeed in the classroom.  Assessment may also be requested by a parent in order to get a second opinion on a diagnosis that they suspect may be outdated or inaccurate.  In all of these cases, the most important benefit of assessment is to get a clear and accurate picture of the problem in order to aid in the creation of a helpful, effective treatment plan. 

	Psychoeducational Evaluations Testing for Learning Disabilities Achievement Testing Intelligence (IQ) Testing Memory Testing Gifted Assessment
	Developmental Assessment Testing for Developmental Disabilities i.e. Autism, Asperger’s, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
	Socio-Emotional Testing ADHD Screening Screening for Depression and Anxiety Personality Testing
	Neuropsychological Screening
	Substance Abuse Screening
	Vocational Testing