Evaluation Services
Comprehensive psychological testing involves administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological tests, as well as providing a clear and detailed report of findings and recommendations. It is useful in determining or clarifying the psychological basis for behavior, diagnoses, informing medical and/or mental health treatment options, assisting in possible educational aide, and much more. There are several different types of testing that our practice offers. We provide psycho-educational, psychological, and neuropsychological testing services.
Psycho-educational testing typically involves academic, intellectual, adaptive, and other types of assessments depending on the referral question(s). For instance, parents may request this type of testing to determine whether their child has a specific type of learning disability such as dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), or dyscalculia (mathematics). Parents are encouraged to share the evaluation results with schools and medical providers. Recommendations are customized to each individual and crafted with the Tennessee public education system in mind.
Psychological testing tends to be more comprehensive, yet tailored to the referral question(s). This type of testing may include various cognitive, emotional, behavioral, social, and adaptive assessment measures. An individual may seek psychological testing to provide an accurate diagnosis or understand the basis of their behaviors. For instance, many behaviors may look like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but in fact be better explained by anxiety, trauma, oppositional/defiant behavior, or an organic medical condition. Understanding the underlying basis for behavior can better inform treatment options. Psychological testing can help with identification and understanding of disorders, such as:
- Childhood Developmental Concerns: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Delay
- Emotional Disorders: Anxiety, Depression, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- Academic/Learning Disorders: Specific Learning Disability in Reading (Dyslexia), Writing (Dysgraphia), Mathematics (Dyscalculia), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Persistent Tic Disorder, Tourette's Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Stereotypic Movement Disorder
Neuropsychological evaluations are designed to assess cognitive and adaptive functioning. This type of assessment examines current mental status, and various cognitive domains, such as memory, attention, language skills, visual-spatial skills, judgment, and cognitive flexibility. A family member may seek neuropsychological testing to aid with diagnosis, to better understand current functioning, and monitor the progress of a disease process. Neuropsychological testing helps to differentiate between traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke/TIA, demyelinating diseases, and various dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body Disease, and Frontotemporal Dementia. For example, a patient may request an initial baseline test to get a clear picture of their cognitive functioning, and engage in annual re-evaluation to monitor possible change.