Parents often wonder why psychological assessment requires such a large investment of both time and financial resources.  It is important to realize that ensuring the proper diagnosis and thus creating the most accurate and useful plan of treatment in the area of psychology and learning disorders requires careful evaluation by the clinician. This includes time spent getting to know the individual, their unique concerns and struggles, gathering data from multiple sources, evaluating and integrating the data, and then working to create customized solutions and a course of action.

 

Many of these important aspects of evaluation are often skipped by well-meaning clinicians who attempt to offer brief and inexpensive assessments, or who are forced to work quickly due to the constraints of managed care companies. This may result in inaccurate diagnosis and time wasted on ineffective treatment.

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An incorrect diagnosis because of a poor assessment may mean you need to seek additional testing to get a correct diagnosis.  This presents a relatively unknown problem known as the "recency effect:" if you have seen a test before, usually within the last 1 to 2 years, you might be answering based on your memory of the last time you took that test, which means the results are influenced by that experience and may be inaccurate to your diagnosis yet again!

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So in the long run, it is best to find a psychologist who provides comprehensive and thorough psychological assessment services, and who does not cut corners but instead takes the time necessary to identify the most accurate diagnosis for your child.  Diagnosis isn't a race, it's a science, and we are treating our patients with the care and precision they deserve.  Ultimately, this saves you time and money, as well as avoids frustration from failed treatment.

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Sometimes, the test results indicate concerns in an area not previously noted and we may ask you to come back in for follow up testing. We never want to leave questions unanswered if at all possible. When we feel we have thoroughly evaluated you or your child, we will schedule a feedback/results session. This session is usually two weeks after the last day of testing.  In most cases you will receive your detailed, often 10-20 pages, report at the feedback session.