Sometimes referred to as “psycho-educational assessment”, neuropsychological assessment is typically recommended when a child, adolescent, or adult is suspected of having impairment in one or more domains of psychological, emotional, or behavioral functioning due to an underlying learning, medical, or psychiatric condition.

It is typically administered via a “battery approach,” which involves a series of individually administered tests and rating scales that provide insight into an individual’s functioning. Typically, cognitive/intellectual functioning, executive  functioning, academic ability, attention, language, memory, visuospatial processing, fine motor abilities, and behavioral functioning are assessed. Neuropsychological evaluation is the most frequently requested, or required, type of assessment.

The Assessment Process
The aim of the testing process is to obtain comprehensive information regarding your child’s functioning. Data is collected through interview, observation, and the administration of various cognitive, academic, neuropsychological, and socio-emotional measures.

For neuropsychological / psycho-educational evaluations, the assessment process begins with an intake session, which can be conducted over the phone or in person. At the intake session, parents are encouraged to share records of their child’s academic progress, including teacher reports, previous testing, or any other information related to the referral concern. Following the intake session, the evaluator will meet with your child to begin testing. Testing generally occurs over two or three sessions, lasting approximately two to four hours in length. If you wish for your evaluator to complete a school observation, this will take place prior to beginning testing. This is done so that the evaluator can anonymously observe your child in their natural school environment and obtain more accurate results. Occasionally, there are times where parents wish to have their child assessed without the school being involved in the process. Please let us know if this is your preference.

Follow Up
Once testing has been completed, the evaluator will write a comprehensive report that outlines the results of testing, as well as diagnostic impressions, recommendations, and next steps. The assessment findings are shared with you at a feedback session, where you will meet with the evaluator to go over the results of the report and discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Typically, the testing process takes four to six weeks to complete; however, we are able to provide more immediate results at a preliminary feedback session, which is held about a week after testing is completed. At the preliminary feedback session, your evaluator will provide you with a summary of the scores and findings from the assessment, and discuss diagnoses and recommendations. You will then receive the final report shortly after. 

Our evaluators all have specialized training and experience navigating the special education processes at schools, and can also guide you through the accommodations process for standardized testing.

At The Child & Family Practice of Washington, DC, we understand that taking the step to have your child assessed for a potential developmental concern can feel overwhelming. Our evaluators partner with families every step of the way to provide them with comprehensive, wrap-around support services.

We regularly conduct comprehensive assessment of neurodevelopmental concerns such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder, and other diagnoses related to social and developmental functioning. Testing of neurodevelopmental concerns can provide specific insights into a child’s unique abilities and challenges. The goal of our assessments is to provide families with a thorough understanding of the presenting concern, and to outline a program of intervention to support the student holistically. 

The Assessment Process
Our evaluators have completed specialized post-doctoral training in the assessment of Autism Spectrum and related disorders. We follow an evidence-based approach rooted in Best Practices, which includes the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), rating scales, and various neuropsychological measures. Similar to a neuropsychological/psycho-educational evaluation, the assessment consists of parent/caregiver and teacher interviews, observations, and individually-administered assessments. When necessary, non-verbal measures are also integrated into the evaluation.

Follow Up
After the evaluation, you will meet with your evaluator to review the findings from the assessment and to discuss next steps. At the feedback session, you will receive a comprehensive report that outlines the findings from the evaluation, as well as recommendations. Occasionally, this may mean additional assessment of speech and language, sensory, or motor concerns. These evaluations may also be completed in our office; however, we are also happy to help you choose from a range of providers with whom we have long established relationships.

For most students, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten mark the beginning of a child’s formal education. Assessment of a child’s unique learning style during this time is essential to helping caregivers and teachers understand a child’s individual pattern of strengths and weaknesses.

Assessment of “Kindergarten Readiness” or “School Readiness” provides a measure of how prepared a child is to perform in school. It includes assessing the cognitive, academic, motor, social, and emotional preparedness skills a child demonstrates to succeed in a school environment. Research tells us that students with appropriate readiness skills are more likely to enjoy academic success and to progress in a timely manner throughout their academic careers. For this reason, early assessment of these skills can be critical in order to identify and support any potential areas of concern.

The Assessment Process
At The Child & Family Practice of Washington, DC, we work with caregivers and teachers to help answer questions about a child’s readiness for school. We utilize various standardized assessments, observational systems, and interviews to make informed decisions about the appropriateness of a child’s educational programming and to guide intervention planning for young students.

Assessment of Kindergarten Readiness begins with an intake session, which can be conducted over the phone or in person. At the intake session, parents are encouraged to share records of their child’s academic progress, including teacher reports, previous testing, or any other related information. If school observations are desired, they will take place next, prior to beginning testing, so that the evaluator can anonymously observe the child in the natural school environment and obtain more accurate results. Occasionally, there are times when parents wish to have their child assessed without the school being involved in the process. Please let us know if this is your preference. Following the intake session and any school observations, the evaluator will meet with your child to begin testing. Testing generally occurs over one or two sessions, lasting approximately one to two hours in length.

Follow Up
Once testing has been completed, your evaluator will draft a comprehensive report that outlines the results of the assessment, as well as diagnostic impressions, recommendations, and next steps. You will be invited for a feedback session where your evaluator will review the findings of the assessment for you and provide you with a copy of the report. Typically, the testing process takes two to three weeks to complete.

In the case of many adults, undiagnosed ADHD can surface later in life as challenges with work production, procrastination, relationship struggles, and/or physical or mental health concerns.  An evaluation can help to clarify the nature of these concerns and determine what type of intervention—behavioral, pharmacological, or both—is best indicated.   

The Assessment Process
Data is collected through clinical interview and the administration of various cognitive, neuropsychological, and behavioral measures. The assessment process begins with an intake session, which can be conducted over the remotely or in person. Testing generally occurs over one to two sessions, lasting approximately one to two hours in length. 

Follow Up
Once testing has been completed, the evaluator will write a comprehensive report that outlines the results of testing, as well as diagnostic impressions, recommendations, and next steps. The assessment findings are shared with you at a feedback session, where you will meet with the evaluator to go over the results of the report and discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Typically, the testing process takes two to four weeks to complete; however, we are able to provide more immediate results at a preliminary feedback session, which is held about a week after testing is completed. At the preliminary feedback session, your evaluator will provide you with a summary of the scores and findings from the assessment and discuss diagnoses and recommendations. You will then receive the final report shortly after. 

When an individual’s emotional or behavioral concerns are more complex, gathering additional information through assessment may be required in order to tailor therapeutic treatment.  This type of assessment involves the administration of both objective and projective/personality tests.  It helps the evaluator to clarify diagnoses and make more targeted, specialized recommendations.  

As part of the school admissions process, many private schools require the submission of a test of cognitive/intellectual ability.

The most commonly required tests are The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) and The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). Evaluators at The Child & Family Practice of Washington, DC have access to a wide array of intellectual and academic assessments; please let your evaluator know what specific tests are required by your school(s).

The Assessment Process
Admissions assessments can generally be completed within one session. We encourage parents to make sure their child has had a good night’s rest and eaten prior to taking the assessment. Many parents find it helpful to let their young child know that they will be working with a person who is “like a teacher” on different “activities.” Following your appointment, you will typically receive your report within one week of the initial testing date. Though most parents do not choose to come in for a formal feedback session, you are welcome to schedule an additional appointment to review the findings from the report with your evaluator.