Psychological assessments are provided to both children and adults.
Assessments are utilized to assess ADHD, various learning disabilities, mood regulation, and various personality characteristics.
When is an assessment likely to be helpful?
_________________
Assessments are often helpful when it appears that some learning, attention, or mood difficulty is negatively affecting a child’s or adult’s success at school, work, or home. An assessment is an opportunity to gather information in a variety of areas to gain a more complete picture of how a person’s strengths, weaknesses, personal learning style, moods, and environmental context are impacting their success.
| Unfortunately, it is all too common for physicians to provide medication for attention difficulties after a brief evaluation, without any testing being completed.
The person’s response to medication is then used as evidence as to whether the person really has ADHD. Treating attention difficulties with medication (without first completing an assessment) is not recommended because in many cases what appears like ADHD is really symptoms of other emotional or learning difficulties that at times impact attention. In addition, best practice standards for assisting both children and adults with attention difficulties establish that altering school/work environments to support a person in their environment can substantially decrease difficulties. In many cases, these behavioral interventions for the individual and their environment improve things to the point that medication is not needed.
Assessment for Children
____________________
Assessment for children includes: an assessment of mood regulation, learning disabilities, attention difficulties, and behavioral issues. Also included is an individualized report complete with evaluation results, a review of the child’s strengths, and recommendations to assist the child. The main goal in writing reports is to assist others in more completely understanding a child including their specific needs/accommodations.
| Reports are a useful tool in coordinating services with various professionals including school personnel, physicians, and therapists.
In addition, for some children medication may be appropriate and having a comprehensive assessment is one of the best ways to ensure that the most appropriate and effective medications are prescribed, given a child’s specific academic and emotional needs.
Assessment for Adults
____________________
Adult evaluation includes an assessment of attention difficulties and mood regulation, as well as a report complete with evaluation results, a review of the person’s strengths, and recommendations to assist the person.
| Reports written for adults are generally helpful in assisting adults in their therapy or treatment with therapists and physicians.
In many circumstances, reports are tailored to assist adults with receiving helpful accommodations in academic environments such as college or university settings. Many times an individual would benefit from accommodations in test taking situations. Examples of test taking situations that can be altered include the GRE or LSAT.
Payment Information
____________
Psychological assessments are typically provided on a private payment basis or through an insurance plan based on a person’s specific benefits. Sometimes insurance companies are more likely to pay for the evaluation when a person’s physician prescribed the assessment. Please call to determine insurance eligibility.
