Licensed and certified school psychologists provide assessments to help answer many referral questions. Available evaluations include:
Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluations
Comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations are designed to identify the specific strengths and needs that influence academic, social, and/or emotional functioning. In an initial meeting with a psychologist, referral questions, previous testing, and student’s age inform the nature of the planned evaluation. This may include an assessment of cognitive ability (IQ), academic skills, language, visual perception, fine motor skills, processing speed, memory, executive functioning, and social/emotional/behavioral functioning. School disability categories and psychological diagnoses are made when indicated. An interpretation meeting will take place to discuss results and recommendations. A comprehensive written report will be provided.
Neuropsychological Evaluations
Neuropsychological evaluations are often recommended when there is a complex medical history, a congenital condition, CNS infection, traumatic brain injury, or concussion. Like comprehensive psychological evaluations, neuropsychological evaluations assess intellectual functioning, executive functioning, and social/emotional adjustment with a more in-depth emphasis on memory functioning and information processing to further understand brain-behavior relations.
An ADHD evaluation may be appropriate in circumstances in which there are significant concerns about attention and executive functioning. This type of evaluation typically includes an assessment of cognitive ability, memory, and executive functioning as well as brief screenings of academic skills and social/emotional functioning. A diagnosis is made when appropriate and recommendations are provided. Parents meet with the psychologist upon completion of the written report to discuss the results and recommendations.
School Admissions/Gifted Testing
School admissions testing (as required by independent schools) consists of the administration of a measure of cognitive ability/IQ. In most cases, a Wechsler scale (e.g., WISC-V, WPPSI-IV, or WAIS-IV) or Stanford-Binet 5 is used. A verbal explanation of the results will be provided directly following the testing and a written report will be mailed the following week. IQ testing is also available for non-admissions purposes, such as identifying students with gifted abilities.
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
Comprehensive Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) are provided upon parent request with school district approval. As part of the IEE process, a psychologist works with parents, schools, and advocates to determine the appropriate educational program for the student.