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Psychological Testing and Assessment
What is psychological testing and assessment?
Psychological testing helps determine an individual’s level of cognitive, academic or social emotional functioning. Psychological testing also can reveal the nature and extent of difficulties an individual may be facing in academic, social or emotional functioning. During the testing, the individual participates in a series of standardized tests. The specific tests administered are determined by the individual and his or her needs.
How can psychological testing help you?
Valid, reliable and empirical testing methods can help identify areas that need further development or improvement, as well as strengths of an individual. The information revealed through testing can help when formulating educational, personal and therapeutic recommendations.
IQ and Cognitive Testing
What is Cognitive Testing?
Cognitive testing assesses a wide range of abilities, including attention, memory, problem-solving, language skills and intellectual reasoning (verbal and nonverbal abilities).
Reasons for Performing Cognitive Testing
- Ways in which cognitive testing may be useful include:
- Assessing for cognitive or developmental delays.
- Diagnosing intellectual disabilities.
- Assessing the effects of brain damage.
- Assessing for giftedness.
How Cognitive Testing Can Help
Cognitive testing can identify underlying weaknesses and highlight areas of strength. It may help to explain discrepancies in performance when an individual performs well in some areas but not others.
Testing for Learning Disabilities
What Causes a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is caused by a difference in the brain that affects how information is received, processed, or communicated. Individuals with learning disabilities have trouble processing sensory information because they see, hear, and understand things differently.
Reasons for Performing Testing for Learning Disabilities
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Concentration or Focus
- Memory
- Organization
How Testing for Learning Disabilities Can Help
- The results of a thorough learning disability evaluation can assist with:
- Obtaining classroom accommodations to maximize learning.
- Obtaining testing accommodations (like extended time) on standardized tests (e.g. SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, BAR, etc.) to maximize performance.
- Better self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Realistic understanding and acceptance of one's limitations.
- Appreciation and valuing of one's strengths.
Personality Testing
What is Personality Testing?
Personality testing can describe an individual's characteristic pattern of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. This pattern is often referred to as social and emotional functioning.
Reasons for Performing Personality Testing
- Personality testing can help in these areas:
- Understanding a child or adult's chronic emotional difficulties.
- Getting a better understanding of one's unhealthy behavior patterns.
- Identifying risk of engaging in harmful behaviors.
- Identifying obstacles to behavior change and personal growth.
- A general curiosity about who you are.
How Personality Testing Can Help
- Personality testing can help with:
- Guiding psychotherapy treatment planning.
- Evaluating participants in substance abuse or other addiction treatment programs.
- Providing valuable information for psychiatric and medication evaluations.
Admissions Testing
Dr. Quinn provides admissions testing for school application and placement. Admissions testing is a requirement of many independent, private schools in the Washington, DC. area.
Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.