Psychodiagnostic Assessment

Psychodiagnostic assessment, sometimes referred to as psychodiagnostic testing, psychological testing, or psychological assessment, is intended to assist with better understanding the rationale for a client's presenting concerns. Such concerns, known as referral questions, may include inquiries such as, "Why can't I seem to pay attention despite persistent attempts?," "Why do I have such a hard time reading or completing math computations?," "Why does my child continue to regress in school?," "Why isn't my child progressing at the same rate as other children?," etc.

 

The first step of a psychodiagnostic assessment is to conduct a clinical interview in order to gather information regarding a client's past and present functioning as holistically contextualized by his/her developmental, cultural, familial, social, educational, mental health, and medical histories. With children, this initial phase of assessment may also involve consulting with teachers or academic staff as well as a classroom observation in order to collect data pertaining to functioning within the school setting. 

 

Evidence-based objective (skill/activity-based) and subjective (survey-based) measures are then administered so as to assess functional domains pertinent to the referral question. These domains may include intellectual, neuropsychological, socioemotional, communicational, personality, or behavioral strengths and vulnerabilities. Results are then scored per instrument relative to empirically-validated standards, and interpreted within the context of the information gathered during the clinical interviewing phase of testing. The purpose of this interpretation is to ideally, answer the referral question as outlined in a written report which is later provided to the client or legal guardian during the feedback session. This report similarly includes client-specific recommendations intended to aid with managing or treating the initial presenting concerns. For instance, should results reveal that a client qualifies for a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), a primary recommendation would be coordination with his/her school in the provision of appropriate academic supports and accommodations.

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At this time, I provide psychodiagnostic assessment services to child and adult clients to assist with rule-out of the following:

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• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia) 

• Intellectual Developmental Disorder

• Language Disorder

• Speech Sound Disorder

• Giftedness

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