What Is Assessment?
Psychological assessment offers a formal way to measure and classify traits,
abilities, feelings, symptoms, and other psychological phenomena of individuals
through the use of standardized tests and activities. In addition to assessing
personality and emotional functioning, testing can evaluate brain functioning in the
areas of intellectual ability, memory, language, perception, concentration and
attention, and motor and sensory functions.
When is Testing Warranted?
Testing is useful to assess for the presence of various conditions. It provides a
deeper understanding of problems than can be gained from therapy or medical
visits alone. Assessment helps identify strengths and weaknesses, facilitates
diagnostic decisions, aids treatment planning, and generates recommendations for
symptom reduction and the development of compensatory coping strategies.
Testing is especially warranted when symptoms are interfering with functioning and
prior attempts to solve the problem have been ineffective.
What Does Assessment Involve?
Clients may be referred for an assessment by a therapist, physician, or teacher, but
can also be self-referred. The assessment process can include extensive
interviewing, the assessor’s observations, review of records, consultations with
other professionals, face-to-face testing with objective tests, and self-administered
subjective questionnaires. Appropriate measures will be selected based on the
problems being assessed. Most of the time, no single test is sufficient to accurately
diagnose a condition. A comprehensive evaluation will rule out other difficulties than
can mimic the suspected problem. After testing, the results are scored and
interpreted, and a lengthy formal diagnostic report is written. Results and
recommendations are explained verbally to the client in an informative feedback
session.
How Long Does Testing Take?
Since each assessment battery is dependent upon individual needs, the time
commitment for an assessment varies. Complete assessments are very thorough
and generally require several hours of the client’s time. However, most clients find
this one-on-one time enjoyable as well as informative. Several more hours are
required for the tester to score and interpret results and to generate a written report.
Who Pays For Assessment?
While clients are responsible for payment, some insurance policies have mental
health benefits that will pay for a certain amount of psychological testing. Clients bill
their insurance companies directly. When an assessment is done privately, you
maintain control of the disclosure or distribution of the results.
Who Performs Assessments?
Only psychologists are trained to perform psychological assessment. If you or a
loved one are looking for a qualified psychologist, take the time you need to make
an informed decision. Because assessment involves a commitment of time, money,
and energy, it is essential that you feel confident about the practitioner you select.
Not all psychologists conduct or specialize in psychological assessments. Be sure
the psychologist you choose has proper training to give and interpret psychological
tests. Ask friends, relatives, or your therapist or doctor for recommendations.
Questions to Ask Before Beginning an Assessment:
What Types of Assessment Does Dr. Novello Offer?
2. Psychodiagnostic assessments are provided for diagnosis clarification of
psychological disorders or pervasive developmental disabilities. This type of
evaluation is recommended when there are:
Private assessments are completely confidential and offer an opportunity for you to
get the answers you need. The provided report constitutes a legal document that
can be utilized to secure necessary accommodations at school if need be. The
report can be released to third parties with a client’s written permission.
Sample of Recommended Accommodations:
Psychological assessment offers a formal way to measure and classify traits,
abilities, feelings, symptoms, and other psychological phenomena of individuals
through the use of standardized tests and activities. In addition to assessing
personality and emotional functioning, testing can evaluate brain functioning in the
areas of intellectual ability, memory, language, perception, concentration and
attention, and motor and sensory functions.
When is Testing Warranted?
Testing is useful to assess for the presence of various conditions. It provides a
deeper understanding of problems than can be gained from therapy or medical
visits alone. Assessment helps identify strengths and weaknesses, facilitates
diagnostic decisions, aids treatment planning, and generates recommendations for
symptom reduction and the development of compensatory coping strategies.
Testing is especially warranted when symptoms are interfering with functioning and
prior attempts to solve the problem have been ineffective.
What Does Assessment Involve?
Clients may be referred for an assessment by a therapist, physician, or teacher, but
can also be self-referred. The assessment process can include extensive
interviewing, the assessor’s observations, review of records, consultations with
other professionals, face-to-face testing with objective tests, and self-administered
subjective questionnaires. Appropriate measures will be selected based on the
problems being assessed. Most of the time, no single test is sufficient to accurately
diagnose a condition. A comprehensive evaluation will rule out other difficulties than
can mimic the suspected problem. After testing, the results are scored and
interpreted, and a lengthy formal diagnostic report is written. Results and
recommendations are explained verbally to the client in an informative feedback
session.
How Long Does Testing Take?
Since each assessment battery is dependent upon individual needs, the time
commitment for an assessment varies. Complete assessments are very thorough
and generally require several hours of the client’s time. However, most clients find
this one-on-one time enjoyable as well as informative. Several more hours are
required for the tester to score and interpret results and to generate a written report.
Who Pays For Assessment?
While clients are responsible for payment, some insurance policies have mental
health benefits that will pay for a certain amount of psychological testing. Clients bill
their insurance companies directly. When an assessment is done privately, you
maintain control of the disclosure or distribution of the results.
Who Performs Assessments?
Only psychologists are trained to perform psychological assessment. If you or a
loved one are looking for a qualified psychologist, take the time you need to make
an informed decision. Because assessment involves a commitment of time, money,
and energy, it is essential that you feel confident about the practitioner you select.
Not all psychologists conduct or specialize in psychological assessments. Be sure
the psychologist you choose has proper training to give and interpret psychological
tests. Ask friends, relatives, or your therapist or doctor for recommendations.
Questions to Ask Before Beginning an Assessment:
- What will the tests measure?
- How long will testing take?
- How much will the assessment cost?
- Will my insurance cover any of it?
- What materials will I need to bring?
- When are appointments available?
- How soon will I receive my report?
What Types of Assessment Does Dr. Novello Offer?
- Pychoeducational evaluations are offered to assess for intellectual ability,
academic achievement, learning disabilities, or ADHD. A psychoeducational
evaluation should be considered when:
- Achievement seems to be below intellectual potential.
- A specific subject has always been very difficult.
- It is a struggle to recall instructions or complete tasks.
- There are difficulties concentrating or functioning at school or work.
- There is a tendency to be restless or to act impulsively.
- There are chronic difficulties with time management or organization.
2. Psychodiagnostic assessments are provided for diagnosis clarification of
psychological disorders or pervasive developmental disabilities. This type of
evaluation is recommended when there are:
- Mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety.
- Struggles that are suspected to be related to chronic personality features.
- Deficits in social skills.
- Peculiar or obsessive behaviors.
- Traumatic experiences.
Private assessments are completely confidential and offer an opportunity for you to
get the answers you need. The provided report constitutes a legal document that
can be utilized to secure necessary accommodations at school if need be. The
report can be released to third parties with a client’s written permission.
Sample of Recommended Accommodations:
- Preferential seating
- Modified assignments/homework
- Note-taking support
- Change of location for selected activities
- Increased time for assignments
- Open book exams
- Extended test time on class tests and standardized tests (e.g. SAT’s)
- Additional rest breaks
- Use of a computer for essay exams or in-class writing assignments
- Dictation of answers
- Audiocassette recordings or a reader on all standardized tests
- Administration of tests in a quiet, non-distracting environment
- Alterations in testing format
- Use of a calculator
| PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT |
"The question is not what you look at, but what you see." -Henry David Thoreau |
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| Copyright © 2006, Evelyn Novello, Ph.D. www.pasadenapsychology.com |