Center Programs > Psychoeducational Division > Assessments & Testing

We provide the following services:

Comprehensive Assessment

Students who experience difficulty in learning benefit from an in-depth analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. To accomplish this, testing is administered in the following areas: intellectual, academic, emotional, memory, perceptual and perceptual motor, learning style, and attention and concentration.

A psychologist meets with parents to obtain a detailed developmental history and (with parental permission) communicates with teachers to collect further data. A visit may be made to the school to observe the student in the classroom. Following the testing, the psychologist meets again with the parents and, when appropriate, the student to interpret and discuss the results. Specific recommendations are made to the student, the family and the school for successful educational and emotional growth. A detailed written report is provided.

Please click here to review our Multi-Step Assessment Sequence for a more comprehensive overview.

Specific Assessment

There are times when a comprehensive evaluation is not indicated. We are often asked specific questions regarding appropriate school selection, school admission, learning style, qualification for enrichment programs, setting of realistic expectations, learning disabilities, attention deficits, social/emotional issues, developmental concerns, and career choices.

Through consultation and analysis, our staff can provide information that will result in positive decision-making for the student and the family.

Specific assessment services include evaluation for:

* Academic Achievement
* Attention Deficit Disorders
* Autism Spectrum Disorders
* Brain Injuries
* Career and Vocational Options
* Career Guidance for Learning Disabled
* Developmental Concerns
* Intellectual Functioning
* Learning Disabilities
* Neuropsychological Issues
* Prescriptions for College and Post-Secondary Students
* Post Traumatic Stress
* Emotional Adjustment Issues
* School Admission
* School Readiness
* SSAT Administration

Other services include advocacy and consultation on school placement (for both individual educational prescription and developmental issues).

SSAT Testing

The Center for Psychological Services provides Secondary School Admission Testing to those students who, for various reasons, cannot take the SSAT on a nationally scheduled administration date.

Consultation

Parents often have questions regarding educational, developmental, and/or adjustment issues that do not necessarily require answers through testing. There are also occasions when results of previous evaluations should be reviewed in order to make current decisions about the student. Our staff is pleased to meet with parents to address their individual concerns.

Adults, including college students, also have questions about learning, attention and concentration, and emotional issues. Consultations are arranged to address each concern and to make recommendations for appropriate intervention.

School Consultations

As part of our ongoing support system, we offer school consultations with teachers, counselors and administrators. This provides the individual student with a powerful, coordinated educational and clinical approach that facilitates and integrates the student’s learning and emotional growth.

AD/HD Diagnosis & Treatment

A complete diagnostic and treatment program is available for children, adolescents, and adults who have Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), learning disabilities, psychological issues, and related conditions. Using an integrated, comprehensive system of services, this personalized, multidisciplinary treatment plan may include:

* Psychoeducational Evaluation
* Psychiatric Assessment
* Psychopharmacology
* Individual and Family Therapy
* Social Competence Group Therapy
* Educational and Tutorial Recommendations & Support Services
* Integrated Case Management

Members of our staff are available to join with families at school meetings when needed to report and interpret findings and to coordinate support services.

Neurodevelopmental & Neuropsychological Issues & Diagnosis

Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. Our neuropsychologist applies an understanding of brain functioning and it’s relationship to learning and behavior to identify issues that could impact on academic achievement, social, emotional, and adaptive functioning. Integrating developmental, social, emotional, and biological factors, the neuropsychological evaluation clarifies an individual’s processing style to make recommendations regarding educational planning and therapeutic strategies.

Parents whose children are not yet in school may have vague or direct concerns about their youngsters. To address them, the neuropsychologist obtains detailed background data and developmental and behavioral information through parental and support personnel’s completion of developmental history questionnaires, present behavioral functioning, and observation. When appropriate, parents and support personnel may be asked to complete standardized questionnaires that allow one to learn if, or how far, the child deviates from the norm. The results provide the parents with an understanding of their child’s strengths and weaknesses. Extensive discussion is held regarding appropriate resources designed to maximize potential. As the child develops, ongoing consultation is readily available.

In assessing a school-age child whose weaknesses could best be described by understanding how the brain processes information, the neuropsychologist is trained to administer specific tests to youngsters who have known neurological involvement such as seizures , head injury, epilepsy, stroke, etc.

The neuropsychological evaluation will also identify questions regarding developmental disorders such as:

• Autism
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Attention Deficit

Prior to the testing, our neuropsychologist gathers extensive background history from parents, teachers, physicians, all support personnel, previous evaluations, and school reports. A school observation prior to the testing provides information of how a youngster functions in the classroom.

The neuropsychological assessment comprises the comprehensive evaluation of:

• Intellectual functioning
• Language skills
• Visual-spatial and perceptual skills
• Learning and memory
• Attention and concentration
• Executive Functioning
– Planning and organization
– Problem solving and reasoning
• Fine-motor and sensory skills
• Processing skills—cognitive efficiency and processing speed
• Academic achievement
• Adaptive, social, emotional functioning

Following the evaluation, the neuropsychologist meets with parents to discuss the results, explains the science of how the brain processes information, and makes recommendations for the best educational environment, appropriate methods of instruction, interventions, and strategies required to promote maximum success.