PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS (often referred to as ‘Psychological Testing’ or ‘Psychological Assessment’) can help determine important information about your child’s academic and/or emotional functioning. Below are different types of evaluations that are conducted at Samantha Carella, PsyD, ABPP and Associates, in both our Aventura and Coral Gables offices. Depending on presenting issues, the psychologist may ascertain more information regarding one specific area of functioning, (hence the different types of the evaluations). Regardless of the title however, every important area of functioning is assessed in our evaluations (i.e. cognitive, academic, emotional, behavioral, social, and developmental), with the exception of gifted/IQ testing.
Psychoeducational Evaluations are conducted to assess an individual’s learning style and are commonly administered when a student is struggling in school or having difficulty with test taking (i.e., SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, etc.). Psychoeducational evaluations are used to determine an individual’s strengths and weaknesses and determine whether there is a Learning Disability or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Testing results are integral in the creation of individualized intervention plans and accommodations that will be most effective for a student to succeed.
Developmental Evaluations are conducted to assess young children (generally ages 2-5) when there are concerns about a child’s development. Developmental milestones include fine and gross motor functioning, speech/language skills, cognitive abilities, social and emotional functioning, as well as overall behavior. Developmental evaluations are useful to determine early detection of developmental disabilities or delays and guide treatment recommendations which are key to successful early intervention- this also includes early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders. (Research shows that early intervention is most effective in helping these children reach their potential.)
Neuropsychological Evaluations are conducted to assess an individual’s cognitive profile when there is a known or suspected brain dysfunction. Such a condition may result from a head injury, a medical condition (such as epilepsy), significant concerns about a child’s development (developmental delay or autism spectrum disorder) or learning/cognitive style. Neuropsychological testing provides a more in-depth examination on the relationship between brain function and behavior by looking more in depth at specific areas of functioning such as working memory, attention/concentration, visual/auditory processing, etc.
Emotional/Behavioral Evaluations are conducted to primarily assess an individual’s emotional and behavioral functioning. These evaluations provide useful information about how someone’s character, emotional beliefs and interpersonal style affect his or her functioning. Diagnostic information is useful to help guide treatment. Oftentimes individuals have been misdiagnosed and need a more in-depth evaluation to better understand their emotional and behavioral functioning.
Gifted/Intelligence Evaluations are conducted to assess children who have demonstrated advanced skills in problem solving and learning. Testing for gifted placement is conducted when there is the likelihood that a child would benefit from a more challenging academic program at school. All public school systems in the state of Florida (and many private schools as well), require intelligence testing to identify whether or not a child meets criteria for placement in the gifted program.
