Children & Adolescents
Dr. Susan Shamos, Director of CENTUS for Kids
Psychological Evaluation (ages 3 to 18) involves testing and observation of the child or youth in various situations. Activities such as play, drawing, telling stories, and more objective questions and answers help the evaluator to get a broad picture of your child or adolescent. Sigificant individuals in the child's life, such as parents or teachers, are often asked to fill out questionnaires in order to understand how a child copes in different environments. The assessment can clarify problem areas as well as strengths. Schools, parents, or therapists often refer children for a psychological evaluation in order to:
Increase parent, teacher or therapist understanding of the child or adolescent.
Explore in depth a child's developmental progress
Diagnosis of learning problems or disabilities.Identify obstacles to emotional well-being and building strong relationships.
Recommend steps for addressing problem areas and building on a child's strengths.
Adults
Dr. Georganne Bley
Neuropsychological evaluation involves testing that measures problems in brain functioning that can result from many events or conditions (injury, ADD/ADHD, stroke, etc.). This looks at how well the brain is working when it performs certain functions (i.e., remembering). The tests are not invasive; they do not involve attaching you to machines. Instead, most are pencil-&-paper type tests like you have probably taken in the past. Your physician or counselor may refer you for neuropsych eval for reasons such as:
Finding possible problems with your brain functioning
Helping lead to a diagnosis
Defining your brain-related strengths & weaknesses
Guiding treatment for your personal, school or work-related needs
Making recommendations to your health care providers
Documenting changes in your functioning over time
For more information on neuropsychology:
Psychological evaluation can give you information about your emotional health, personality style & coping styles. This information can be helpful in improving your relationships and work and home life, & can guide more effective psychological treatment. Psychological evaluations are also known as Mental Health Evaluations.
