What exactly is a psychoeducational, psychological or developmental evaluation?
Psychoeducational, psychological, and developmental evaluations are comprehensive assessments that include a series of standardized tests and measurements, clinical interviews, review of relevant clinical and medical history, and behavioral observations. The results of the assessment measures are used to create a detailed profile of an individual’s cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial functioning. Thorough written reports that discuss results, any relevant diagnoses, and recommendations are generated. The purpose of the evaluation may include diagnostic clarity, treatment recommendations, academic planning, and identification of appropriate services. The clinicians at NCFWC will help families to determine their specific goals for the evaluation. Common referral questions involve developmental delays, ADHD, specific learning disorders, intellectual giftedness, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other psychosocial conditions. Our mental health centers in Nashville and Franklin provide a wide range of testing services.
What To Expect from Psychological Testing
The Evaluation Process
Assessment & Intake
For clients who are under 18 years of age, the first appointment is a parent/guardian-only clinical intake. For adult clients, an intake will be completed during the initial testing block. This appointment allows for the clinician to discuss the presenting referral questions that prompted the evaluation, review the initial intake paperwork, obtain additional information regarding relevant clinical/academic/medical history, and identify goals for the evaluation. This appointment will be scheduled on a day prior to the testing date and usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.
Testing Block(s)
Testing is typically scheduled over the course of one to two mornings with sessions lasting approximately three to four hours. Length of sessions will vary depending on the client's age, referral questions, or stamina. Additional time may be scheduled if needed. Breaks are incorporated within the testing block. If the client typically wears glasses, then ensure that glasses are brought on the day of testing. It is recommended that snacks and drinks be packed and brought to the testing appointment. If a testing client takes stimulant medication (e.g., ADHD medications), please consult with your NCFWC clinician about the appropriateness of taking the medication on the day of testing. We also recommend recent (within the year) hearing and vision screenings so those can be ruled as factors in testing results.
Feedback Appointment
Once testing is complete and the evaluation report is prepared, a feedback appointment is scheduled. At this appointment, the parents/guardians, or client if over the age of 18, receive a copy of the evaluation. The clinician reviews the testing results, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations. If the testing client is an adolescent, then the clinician may recommend a separate feedback appointment with the testing client.
*On occasion, a classroom observation or social observation may be indicated. This will be discussed with the parents/guardians during the evaluation process.
*Prior to the feedback appointment, the parents/guardians should review the Evaluation Checklist (included in the testing information packet) to ensure that they have completed all necessary items. If all necessary items have not been completed, the final report may be delayed.
Who may benefit from psychological, psychoeducational, or developmental testing?
Testing may be recommended for individuals who are experiencing mental health issues, behavioral concerns, and/or learning difficulties that are impacting their daily life. While anyone can benefit from psychological, psychoeducational, or developmental testing, certain individuals may be more likely to benefit from such services, including:
- Individuals with suspected or diagnosed mental health conditions
- Individuals with cognitive deficits
- Individuals with behavioral or developmental concerns such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or learning difficulties.
What does testing entail?
Psychological testing is a process of assessing an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. The testing process typically involves several steps, including:
- Referral and Intake: The testing process usually begins with a referral from a healthcare provider, school, or other professional. The psychologist will then conduct an initial intake evaluation to gather information about the individual's history, symptoms, and concerns.
- Test Selection: Based on the information gathered during the intake evaluation, the psychologist will select appropriate tests to administer. The tests may include measures of intelligence, personality, emotional functioning, attention and memory, and academic achievement.
- Test Administration: The tests are administered in a controlled environment, such as a psychologist's office or a testing room. The individual may be asked to complete written or verbal tasks, answer questions, or participate in interactive activities.
- Scoring, Interpretation, and Report Writing: Once the tests are completed, the psychologist will score the results and interpret them in the context of the individual's history and symptoms. This may involve comparing the individual's results to normative data or to their own previous test results. The psychologist spends a significant amount of time analyzing all of the gathered information and compiling it into a single report.
- Feedback and Recommendations: The psychologist will present and review this report with the individual and/or their caregivers in the form of a feedback session. At that time, all test results, including strengths and weaknesses and recommendations for treatment or interventions are made and copies of the final report are provided.
The testing process can take several hours or several days, depending on the complexity of the tests and the individual’s needs. The tests are designed to be objective and standardized, meaning that they are administered in the same way to every individual to ensure accurate and reliable results. The results of psychological, psychoeducational and/or developmental testing can be used to guide treatment planning, monitor progress, and inform educational or vocational decisions.
If you’re interested in learning more about testing in Nashville and Franklin, contact us at 615-238-9100.
Common Questions
Rating Scale FAQs
Why do we ask for rating scales?
When we complete psychoeducational, psychological, and developmental evaluations, our goal is to assess your child as comprehensively as possible. While we are able to gather critical information during our testing sessions, the face-to-face time we spend during these sessions provides only a snapshot of an individual's overall functioning. The additional information we gather as part of the evaluation, including data parents provide during intake interviews and through completion of the intake questionnaire, review of previous evaluations and other educational documents (e.g., IEPs, 504 Plans, report cards, etc.), and rating scales help us better understand a child's development, history of presenting concerns, and daily functioning across settings.
What do the scales measure?
The particular measures you and your child's teacher will be asked to complete will vary to some degree depending on the referral questions. For most children, parents and teachers will at least be asked to complete one rating scale that takes a broad look at behavioral and emotional functioning (e.g., internalizing concerns, such as anxiety and depression; externalizing behaviors, such as hyperactivity and defiance; and adaptive behaviors, such as social skills and activities of daily living) and another scale that examines attention problems, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and executive functioning more specifically. You may be asked to complete additional scales if they are relevant to your child's presenting concerns. For instance, if there is a suspicion of an autism spectrum disorder, you will likely be given rating scales that ask about social and communication skills as well as sensory issues and restricted interests.
Like other tests and measures used during psychoeducational, psychological, and developmental evaluations, the rating scales we request that you complete are standardized. This means that they allow us to compare individuals to an appropriate peer group and understand how your concerns may be similar to or different from parents (or teachers) of same-age children.
What if some questions don't apply to my child?
As these rating scales are designed to assess a broad range of behaviors and aspects of social-emotional functioning, we expect some of the questions will not apply to every child. We still request that you answer every question, indicating the frequency of the behavior (e.g., indicate "never" if it is not applicable). Even if your child is referred due to learning concerns, for example, it is helpful to rule out attention problems, executive function deficits, anxiety, etc., that may be contributing to the difficulties you observe.
Are teacher rating scales required?
While teacher ratings are not required per se, they are typically beneficial in the assessment process. Rating scales measure the presence or frequency of certain behaviors or skills and are dependent on the perceptions of the rater. By gathering information from multiple sources (e.g., parents, teachers, and other important people in your child's life), we are able to reduce the influence of rater bias. In addition, the diagnostic criteria for some disorders, such as ADHD, require the presence of particular behaviors in two or more environments; without input from teachers or adults from environments other than home, we cannot make certain diagnoses. We also understand that children behave differently in different environments and strive to capture a broad sample of observations and perceptions of your child.
What are the fees for our testing services?
Please call our office to discuss evaluation fees.
The evaluation fee covers the necessary testing appointments, including the intake appointment, the testing blocks, report writing, and feedback appointment. There is a non-refundable deposit of $300.00 due at the time of scheduling. This deposit is applied toward the comprehensive evaluation fee, and the remainder will be due on the day of testing. If the full payment is not received by the first day of testing, the evaluation will be rescheduled or canceled.
Please note that our clinicians are out-of-network providers; therefore, we do not accept insurance. Documentation of services can be provided to clients if they choose to file with their insurance to seek reimbursement. Parents or guardians may inquire about their out-of-network benefits. For reimbursement purposes, insurance companies may require prior authorization. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to obtain the necessary information/paperwork for prior authorization.
Meet our testing providers at Nashville Child & Family Wellness Center
Meet our providers and contact us to learn more about our psychological testing services in Nashville, TN.
Our psychoeducational and psychological testing in Nashville and Franklin
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, getting a comprehensive psychological evaluation can be an essential step toward improving your well-being. Psych testing can help you understand your symptoms, identify any underlying mental health conditions, and develop an effective treatment plan.
As mentioned above, during a psychological evaluation, you’ll typically undergo a series of tests and assessments designed to evaluate your cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. These tests may include personality assessments, cognitive tests, diagnostic interviews, and other evaluations. NCFWC offers autism testing in Nashville and ADHD testing in Nashville.
The information gathered during the evaluation can help you and your healthcare provider develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. For example, if you’re struggling with depression, psych testing can help identify the severity of your symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options, such as medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
Getting a psychological evaluation can also help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. By seeking help and understanding the root cause of your symptoms, you can take control of your mental health and begin the healing process.
Don’t hesitate to seek out a psychological testing in Nashville and Franklin if you’re experiencing mental health issues. With the right diagnosis and treatment, you can start on the path toward a happier, healthier life.
info@nashvillefamilywellness.com