UTILIZING PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
Just as a pediatrician uses blood work and x-rays to inform medical decisions, I use psychological tests to guide my clinical work, including diagnoses, treatment, and recommendations. These tests also help monitor patient progress and evaluate programs. I will always communicate with you about the tests I use and explain their purpose. Initial assessments provide a baseline of your child’s functioning across various systems and settings, highlighting their strengths and vulnerabilities. Gathering family and parent information helps understand your child’s context. After the initial assessment, I provide a brief verbal report summarizing your child’s emotional, interpersonal, behavioral, and functional strengths and vulnerabilities. Together, we will determine the treatment plan, possibly involving your child in setting treatment goals.
Tests typically include multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions to refine my understanding of the issues presented.
Potential risks of test-taking include mild psychological discomfort and fatigue, but the benefits include more accurate understanding and refined treatments and recommendations. Using tests and observations, I may assess various areas of functioning.
Tests typically include multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions to refine my understanding of the issues presented.
Potential risks of test-taking include mild psychological discomfort and fatigue, but the benefits include more accurate understanding and refined treatments and recommendations. Using tests and observations, I may assess various areas of functioning.
- Emotional functioning (e.g., happy, sad, mad, glad, anxious)
- Adaptive functioning (e.g., dressing self, tying shoes)
- Executive functioning (e.g., cognitive flexibility, impulsivity)
- Symptoms (e.g., depression, atypical thoughts and behaviors, post-traumatic reaction, sleep impairment)
- Substance abuse history and behavior, when relevant (when these issues are happening, I tend to refer to substance abuse experts and will also recommend hospitalization, if clinically indicated)
- Safety concerns, suicidal ideation, or suicidal gestures, when relevant (when these issues are happening regularly, I tend to refer to DBT coaches and will also recommend hospitalization, if clinically indicated)