Psychoeducational Evaluation & Testing For Learning Disability (LD)

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What is PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL EVALUATION and TESTING FOR LEARNING DISABILITY(LD)?

Psychological testing serves the same purpose as medical evaluation, except a psychological evaluation looks for signs of mental, rather than physical, illness. It’s a process of testing and assessment that analyzes symptoms to provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. 

While a medical doctor might examine your throat, nose, and ears for signs of trouble, a psychologist examines your behavior to determine if you need care for a mental health condition.

Who should have psychological testing? 

Both children and adults can benefit from psychological testing. If your child has trouble concentrating or sitting still, doesn’t complete schoolwork, or exhibits strong feelings of anger or sorrow, a psychologist may recommend a psychological evaluation.

This allows your provider to identify a learning disability, mood disorder, or neuropsychiatric condition that might contribute to your child’s behavior. 

Likewise, psychological testing can identify the underlying cause of symptoms in adults, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  

You should consider psychological testing if you or a family member exhibits the following: 

• Social withdrawal
• Difficulty with memory, concentration, or speech
• Decreased ability to function in daily life
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Intense mood changes
• Sleep changes
• Appetite changes
• Irrational thinking
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Thoughts of harming yourself or others

The presence of three or more of these behaviors, or if one behavior has caused a significant life disruption, it could indicate the presence of a mental health condition. 

What happens during psychological testing?

Evaluations at Nugent Family Counseling Center typically take 60-90 minutes. Many types of tests and assessment tools exist to facilitate evaluation. Your experienced provider conducts a preliminary interview, then selects assessment tools based on your symptoms and other individual factors.

Your evaluation may include:

• Personality tests: evaluates thoughts, emotions, and behaviors 
• Neuropsychological tests: evaluates brain function
• Cognitive tests: evaluates aptitude and learning
• Direct observation: evaluates through observation of behavior, such as parent-child interaction

Once you’ve completed your evaluation, you meet again with your provider. They discuss the results of your tests, your diagnosis if you have one, and all your options for treatment. The team at Nugent Family Counseling Center offers compassionate, integrative treatment to address a wide variety of mental health concerns for children, teens, and adults.

To schedule a psychological evaluation with a highly trained and experienced provider at Nugent Family Counseling Center, call the nearest location, or book an appointment online today.