Westchester Comprehensive Psychological Evaluations

Why should I seek a comprehensive evaluation?

• Everyone seeks out a comprehensive evaluation for different reasons.You may be wondering why your child is having a hard time in school.  Teachers or providers may have suggested that your child is having difficulty focusing or completing tasks in school.You may be concerned with your child's ability to interact with others.  Your child may have difficulty at home or at school responding to limits or meeting behavioral expectations.  If you are an adult, you may be wondering why you are having trouble completing certain tasks or feel that you struggle to maintain attention.  In any case, a comprehensive evaluation is meant to determine if there is an underlying pattern of strengths and weaknesses that may explain your or your child's current needs.  The evaluation can help you obtain information about learning style, which can then be used to provide tailored recommendations to address given concerns.

What does the evaluation process look like?

• The evaluation process will begin with an intake interview with the parent (or for an adult, the person who is seeking the evaluation).  This interview will cover various topics related to development, medical history, educational history and current concerns.  Based on this information, the assessment can be fully tailored to the noted needs.  Following this, a minimum of two sessions will be needed to administer the various tests.  Information will also be gathered from consulting with other professionals (e.g., teachers, service providers) and reviewing records (e.g., report cards, previous testing, etc.).  Once all the data is gathered and organized, a feedback session will be conducted where information on the results and suggested recommendations are provided.  A report will also be generated to share with any individuals/organization necessary.

What types of testing will be used?

• To gain a broad overview of all areas of functioning, each evaluation will include:

  • Intelligence testing (i.e., IQ testing)

  • Achievement testing (determining skills in reading, writing, and mathematics)

  • Social/emotional testing (which includes scales to assess various areas including internalizing difficulties, externalizing behaviors and emotions)

• To provide more detailed data about the unique needs of an individual, the evaluation may also include the following to better answer specific questions and concerns:

  • Attention and executive functioning testing

  • Visual and auditory memory testing

  • Visual-motor integration testing

What can I use the results for?

• To gather information about your child’s learning style and pattern of strengths and weaknesses, which may help in understanding current school performance

• To explain the underlying cause of behaviors such as inattention, poor organization, hyperactivity, lack of motivation, homework struggles, impulsivity, or low frustration tolerance.

• To document the need for accommodations in school or on standardized tests

• To assist in determining eligibility for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan

• To develop individualized recommendations to promote academic success