Types of Psychological Evaluations

General Psychological Evaluations:  An evaluation focused on identifying specific diagnoses related to emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties.  

Psychoeducational Evaluations:  An evaluation used to assess a child's strengths and weaknesses in regards to intellectual and academic functioning.  This type of evaluation can identify the presence of learning difficulties.  

Neuropsychological Evaluations:  An evaluation focused on identifying neuropsychological difficulties, such as problems with executive functioning, visual-spatial skills, fine motor skills, memory, language, etc. This type of evaluation is used to properly diagnose attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Developmental Evaluations: An evaluation to determine if developmental delays are present. This includes intellectual deficits and autism spectrum disorder.

The evaluative process consists of three separate appointments:

Diagnostic interview:  This appointment is focused on identifying and discussing problem areas and gathering relevant historical information.  Parents are provided self-report measures for themselves and teachers to assess the child's social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.   This appointment last 45 to 90 minutes and is completed prior to psychological testing.  It is highly recommended that only parents attend this appointment.

Psychological testing:  The examiner administers different tests to the child to properly assess their functioning in a variety of areas, such as intelligence, academic achievement, and neuropsychological functioning.  Children may also complete forms to better understand how their social, emotional, and behavior skills have developed.  The testing process typically lasts three to four hours and children are provided breaks as needed.

Feedback session:  An explanation of the results of the evaluation, the child's specific diagnoses if applicable, and recommendations are provided to parents.  Recommendations are provided to aid parents and schools in educational planning and appropriate home and classroom interventions.  These recommendations provide information to schools that can assist in the development of classroom accommodations, an individualized education plan (IEP), or a 504 plan.  A copy of the psychological evaluation is also provided at this time.   This appointment lasts approximately one hour.  Questions are highly encouraged to better understand the results of the evaluation, recommendations, and specific referrals.

Please do not hesitate to call or email for more information about types of psychological evaluations or the evaluative process.