What is academic and intelligence testing?
Academic and intelligence testing are designed to measure an individual’s intellectual ability, academic skills, and everyday functioning for application in school (academic) and vocational settings. For some individuals, these evaluations identify relative strengths and weaknesses so they can better plan their academic and occupational goals. For others, these evaluations are important for understanding their current struggles (such as completing assignments, understanding coursework, or test-taking) and determining whether academic or workplace accommodations are appropriate. Other situations involve long-term developmental issues that may be limiting one’s ability to meet adulthood goals and live independently.
What does this type of evaluation involve?
Your appointment will start with a clinical interview with you and anyone else you wish to have involved (partners, family, etc.) in the process. During the interview you will be asked questions about your symptoms, goals for the evaluation, and other areas of your life (personal background, academic history, etc.). You will also be encouraged to share any information with your clinician that you think is important for them to know. Your clinician will also request to review your academic records (transcripts, report cards, etc.). This ensures that the clinician will have the full picture of anything and everything that could impact the test results. The interview typically takes 1-2 hours.
After the clinical interview you will be given a series of performance-based tests of academic skills (reading/writing, mathematics, etc.) and intelligence. Additional domains (memory, attention, personality, etc.) may also be evaluated. Most tests are written and spoken (“pen and paper”) but some may be administered on a computer or tablet. The clinician or an associate trained to administer these tests (known as a psychometrist) in order to best address your concerns and goals. You may also be asked to fill out questionnaires about your symptoms. The testing process is very dynamic and designed to meet your needs and be as comfortable as possible. Breaks will be taken as needed. As individual needs can vary, testing can be brief (1-2 hours) or extended (2-4 hours).
What types of issues can testing be helpful for?
Evaluating for intellectual functioning (e.g. obtaining an IQ score) including disabilities and giftedness.
Identifying academic strengths and weaknesses, even if a diagnosable disorder is not present.
Determining if there is a neurologic reason for a student’s difficulties in school and providing a formal diagnosis.
Providing recommendations for strategies to help improve specific and broad academic skills.
Documenting the need for formal academic accommodations.
Determining if there is need for medical and/or psychiatric intervention and what programs may be beneficial.
Gauging treatment response (from speech therapy, behavioral therapy, stimulant medications, etc.).
Determining if you qualify for formal test accommodations (MCAT, LSAT, etc.).
What do you evaluate for?
Intellectual giftedness or disability
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Autism spectrum disorders
Reading disorders, including dyslexia
Mathematics disorders, including dyscalculia
Long-term effects of childhood disorders, such as epilepsy, stroke, toxic exposure, etc.
Many others…
If you would like more information, or to see if this type evaluation would be appropriate for your needs, contact us to schedule a FREE 15 minute consultation with one of our clinicians.