Reasons for a Comprehensive Psychological Assessment
Some reasons for a comprehensive psychological assessment for ADD/ADHD include:
- Acquire a comprehensive understanding of strengths and weaknesses
- Obtain an accurate diagnosis
- Identify or rule-out other problems that can co-occur or appear like ADD/ADHD symptoms such as dyslexia, depression, anxiety, and other learning disabilities
- Develop individualized recommendations to succeed educationally, professionally, and personally
- Gain access to academic services, interventions, and accommodations such as extended time on standardized tests
It is important to note that, in order to gain access to certain educational services and accommodations at the school and college levels, a comprehensive psychological assessment must be conducted. This is especially true for accommodations such as extended time on standardized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT).
ApaCenter Assessments for ADD/ADHD
ApaCenter assessments for ADD/ADHD are tailored to the individual child but typically include the following components:
- Assessment of cognitive abilities to determine a child’s strengths and weaknesses in areas of cognitive processing including Verbal Reasoning, Nonverbal Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed
- Assessment of academic achievement to determine whether the student is learning academic material in reading, writing, and math at a level consistent with their potential
- Assessment of behavioral and emotional functioning including behavior checklists from multiple informants, parent interview, child interview, and more direct assessment of the child’s emotional functioning when indicated
- Assessment of attention functioning under controlled conditions
- Behavioral observations during the assessment
Once the comprehensive assessment is complete, our professional will write a report detailing the findings, with recommendations provided based on the individual’s strengths and weaknesses. The goal is not merely diagnosis, but suggestions for interventions that are tailored to you or your child’s individual profile. Whether or not you or your child receives a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, recommendations to address difficulties you or your child may be exhibiting are an essential component of the evaluation. Our professional will discuss the results with you in person and answer any questions you might have.
When to Consider ADD/ADHD Assessments
Attention difficulties can be the end result of other problems you or your child may face. Primary medical concerns that should be ruled out prior to considering a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD include vision and hearing problems or general physical health problems that could be screened for in a well check visit (e.g., thyroid problems or anemia). If you or your child has been healthy with no significant physical concerns other than difficulties with focus and attention and perhaps impulsivity and hyperactivity, then a comprehensive psychological evaluation can determine you or your child’s strengths and weaknesses and rule out other concerns that can contribute to attention problems.
Please contact the ApaCenter at (512) 891-1500 or e-mail info@ApaCenter.com for any additional questions or to discuss and schedule an evaluation for you or your child.