Why might a child need psychological testing?
- To gain a better understanding of their:
o General cognitive
abilities
o Present level of academic achievement
o Current psychological
functioning
o Areas of strength and weakness
- To
understand the causes of difficulties with
schoolwork
- To
obtain accurate diagnoses
- To
determine an appropriate course of treatment
Common referral questions for psychological testing might include (but are not limited to):
- Does my child have:
o ADHD?
o A learning
disability?
o Conduct disorder or other behavioral
problems?
o An anxiety
disorder?
o Depression?
o Bipolar
Disorder?
o A need for additional services within the
school environment?
o A need for tutoring or other cognitive
remediation services outside of school?
o A need for an Individualized Education Plan and Special Education services?
o A need for psychotropic medication?
What might be assessed in a comprehensive evaluation?
- General
cognitive functioning
- Verbal
abilities
- Perceptual (nonverbal) skills
- Academic achievement
- Language skills
- Information-processing abilities
- Attention
- Executive functions
- Processing speed and efficiency
- Visual-motor skills
- Learning and memory
- Personality structure
- Psychological symptoms
What types of treatment or intervention might be
recommended after reviewing the results?
- Additional services within the academic environment
- Tutoring outside of school (e.g. cognitive remediation)
- Study Skills training
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group psychotherapy
- Psychiatric consultation
- Medical
consultation