SLBMI Child and Adolescent Services>> How We Can help>> Psychological Testing Services

Psychological Testing Services

Psychoeducational testing is often requested to determine whether someone, a child or an adult, has a learning disability or an attention problem (e.g., ADHD) that is interfering with performance at school or the workplace. Psychoeducational testing usually involves administration of a test of intellectual ability and an achievement test. It is also likely to include questionnaires to be completed by the individual or by those who know the person, such as teachers or family members. Sometime when ADHD is being considered as a diagnosis, a computerized test of attention is used. Other tests assessing specific abilities, such as reading, math, or writing may also be given. The strategy is collect enough information to provide a valid assessment but no more than is necessary.

Psychological testing is more focused on emotional and psychological factors that may be interfering in the life of an individual. Testing is often done to formalize diagnoses of anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It may also be useful to a more comprehensive picture of the individual in order to assist in devising a treatment plan. Testing often entails obtaining information from a variety of sources including personality questionnaires, projective tests, clinical interviews and behavioral observations. Some individuals may choose to be tested for both educational and psychological difficulties simultaneously. Individuals must be at least 6 years of age to be evaluated.

Either type of testing involves an initial one-hour consultation, which includes a clinical interview, to clarify the questions to be addressed. At the conclusion of the consultation, the examiner can estimate how many hours will be needed for formal testing, scoring of test measures, and writing the report. Many insurance companies do not reimburse for the full cost of psychological testing. Therefore, individuals considering testing should be aware of the likely cost and what their insurance company will pay. The cost of testing is largely determined by the amount of time it will take to do the testing, including the administration of the measures and the interpretation of the results. The psychologist conducting the testing would be more than happy to provide this information at the consultation.