Psychological Assessment

A Psychological Assessment is limited to measures of cognitive functioning and emotional functioning.  This type of evaluation is undertaken when academic testing has already been conducted, as preliminary to determine if further academic and neuropsychological testing are warranted, or as a screening measure to answer questions regarding observed changes in specific cognitive functions, behavior, or affect. In some instances a psychological assessment is sufficient to meet the application requirements of some schools and facilities. 

Cognitive testing is typically comprised of  what is commonly referred to as an 'IQ test'--such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV).

Measures of emotional functioning include pencil and paper questionnaires or projective measures. An example of the former would be the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children-Second Edition (BASC-2) or Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Projective tests include but are not limited to the Rorschach Ink Blots, Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), House-Tree-Person Figure Drawings (HTP), and Sentence Completion.  

Unfortunately projective testing is becoming a lost art as graduate schools look for greater empirical evidence in assessing personality and emotional functioning. Nonetheless projectives are a powerful and cogent diagnostic tool when administered and interpreted in conjunction with observation and other standardized test results by a skilled, experienced practitioner.



The Process

1. 60-90 Minute Interview with the parent(s) or adult student.

2. Possible school/classroom observation (if desired).

3. Two, 2-hour test sessions.

4.  60-90 Minute Feedback session with the parent(s) or adult student during which time the findings and recommendations are conveyed and discussed, and appropriate referrals are made.

5. Follow-up feedback session with both parent(s) and child student.

6. A comprehensive report is crafted that clarifies the reasons for referral, offers a compelling history, describes the issues at hand, clearly explains the underlying factors and dynamics identified, and offers clear and pragmatic recommendations. 



Test Battery

1. Cognitive Tests

2. Projective Tests