Is your child having problems in school? Does your child have persistent problems focusing and paying attention at home and in school? Does your child get angry and frustrated frequently? Does your child seem anxious or depressed? Are your child’s language skills slow to develop? Does your child have difficulty making friends? Does your child frequently demonstrate insistence on sameness and routine, have difficulty with change or transitions? These may signs that indicate your child or adolescent may have an academic or psychological problem.
Does your child seem bored or frustrated by the school curriculum? Does your child feel different from his/her peers? Does your child procrastinate on starting homework or school projects because of a desire to get everything just right? Is your child a perfectionist? These may be signs that your child is gifted.
Psychological and psychoeducational testing can be extremely useful when there is a lack of understanding regarding the reasons and causes of various emotional, psychological, learning, or behavioral issues of a child or adolescent.
Psychological testing helps to identify behavioral concerns, such as
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Disruptive behavior disorders
- Parent-child relational problems
- Oppositional Defiant Behavior
- ADHD
- Autism spectrum disorders
Psychoeducational testing, in addition to the above testing, identifies:
- Learning disabilities
- Developmental delays
- Cognitive difficulties
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Dyslexia
- Full Scale IQ and achievement testing identifies reading, writing and mathematics comprehension
Educational testing also can identify if your child is gifted.
Both psychological testing and psychoeducational testing can help determine an accurate diagnosis by providing data that cannot be obtained by simply talking to or spending time with a child. By using standardized measures, I can obtain unique information about your child’s cognitive profile, academic skills, and executive functioning abilities (e.g. attention, organization, and behavioral control) in order to clarify which types of school-based accommodations and other services would be most beneficial. Recommendations may include psychotherapy and modifications or accommodations in school, possibly as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. Examples are more time to complete tests and schoolwork, separate room testing location, etc.
For a gifted child, psychoeducational testing can help parents in educational planning, help determine whether a child may benefit from some form of acceleration, offer insight into a child’s behavior and learning characteristics and help determine eligibility for a special school programs for gifted students. Testing also identifies the social and emotional issues that can affect your child’s development.
Preparing Your Child or Adolescent for Testing
Preparing your child for testing can reduce anxiety and encourage cooperation through the upcoming battery of tests. One practice is to begin talking about the testing several days in advance. Reassure your child or adolescent that the reason for testing is to understand his/her strengths and the areas in which help is needed. Explain the tests will contain a variety of questions, puzzles, drawings, stories and games. Emphasize that the tests are a lot of fun. Most importantly, explain the evaluation will show adults how best to help.
Testing Process.
Testing is a four-part process:
Step 1 consists of a 75-minute informational interview with the parents of the child being tested.
Step 2 gathers information from interviews, school educational or testing reports, and medical history, as well as information from other mental health processionals who may have provided therapy to the child or teenager. If appropriate, I may attend IEP/504 support team meetings and observe the child in the classroom.
Step 3 is the testing phase. Testing can be stressful to a child or adolescent, and I want to make the process as comfortable as possible. Therefore, I do not rush the testing process. It is usually done over two days, so the child will be fresh and able to put in his best effort. Sometimes I add an additional day if necessary.
Step 4 is the feedback process. Typically, this is a 60-minute meeting with the parents. The child can also choose to come to this appointment.
I will also be happy to consult via phone regarding your situation and suggest the most appropriate assessment, tailored to fit your child.
When selecting testing services for your child, be sure to ask if all psychological and psychoeducational testing will be completed by a licensed, doctoral-level psychologist. I have specialized in testing for over 15 years and personally complete all assessments. This allows me to provide more personal service to you and your child, and assures you that a clinician with extensive experience in testing manages all parts of the evaluation.