Psychological Testing
Psychological testing involves the assessment of an individual’s cognitive, intellectual, academic, behavioral, and emotional functioning. It is appropriate for infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
Tests examine an individual’s expressive language skills, receptive language skills, verbal reasoning skills, perceptual-motor skills, visual-perceptual skills, motor skills, nonverbal reasoning skills, verbal memory, visual memory, visual-motor memory, attention and concentration, planning and organization skills, academic skills, and specific behavioral and emotional functioning.
Testing is indicated when a child or adolescent is demonstrating academic difficulties, when indicated treatment interventions are not effective, and/or there is a question about the appropriate diagnosis for an individual.
The goals of testing vary according to the original questions being asked. However, a reasonable expectation is that the test results will clarify how an individual thinks, problem solves, and learns, as well how the individual processes emotions and copes with stress. The individual’s strengths and weaknesses should be evident with the goal of developing an effective intervention plan.
Expect a comprehensive psychological testing to consist of several hours of direct testing. In addition, verbal feedback accompanied by a written report should be expected.