Evaluation & Testing
Psychological evaluation (also known as assessment or testing) is a valuable tool used to clarify a diagnosis, direct treatment, or advocate for one’s needs across various settings (social, academic, occupational, etc). Our evaluations are effective and efficient. We use state of the art test measures to draw our conclusions, diagnoses, and recommendations, all of which you will receive in a comprehensive psychological report. We also aim to highlight one’s strengths and abilities in addition to identifying challenges and areas of growth.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Testing Across the Lifespan
ADULTS
If you are an adult who is wondering whether you’re autistic, you likely have a longstanding familiarity with feeling different from most others. You may feel your natural way of thinking, learning, or engaging with the world has been met with resistance at every turn. You may also feel the demands and expectations put on you to assimilate to the typical social atmosphere is, at best, uncomfortable, and, at worst, downright exhausting or painful.
Getting an evaluation will allow you to clarify the specific overlap of autistic characteristics unique to you. It can also equip you with knowledge about your autistic strengths and support you in accessing self-assuredness needed to advocate for yourself.
CHILDREN
If you’re a parent who is wondering whether your child is autistic, you may have noticed that your child has different interests, skills, and challenges than most children. Your child may have different ways of communicating than you would have expected, they may have unexpected reactions to the sensory input in their environment, and they may often seem to be captivated by their own internal world.
Autism evaluation does not seek to change the differences that are unique to your child, but rather to lift up their strengths while connecting them to support and care in the areas in which they are struggling. Research shows that the earlier an autistic child is connected to specialized care, the less they are challenged with communication and adaption in the environments and activities that are important to them later in life. This evaluation process is the first step to receiving this vital care.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Testing Across the Lifespan
You may feel that you or your child is struggling to keep up with life’s demands. A person with ADHD has difficulty maintaining their level of success and ability in any number of roles, be they a student, professional, parent, partner, friend, or confident individual.
An ADHD evaluation provides you with knowledge about your intellectual composition and executive functioning abilities, and identifies neuropsychological interferences which may be inhibiting you accessing your potential.
Obtaining an ADHD diagnosis through an evaluation with Adapt will also connect you with the best fit for treatment which may involve specialized therapy, executive functioning coaching, school or work accommodations, or connection with psychiatrist to find effective medication.
Learning Disorders/Academic Achievement Testing Across the Lifespan
You may find that you or your child shows promise and potential, but is struggling to apply these abilities to school performance. Learning challenges occur when the brain is unable to process, store, retrieve, or respond to information in a consistent and effective way. This may lead to difficulty listening, reading, writing, speaking, and reasoning in school.
By obtaining an academic achievement or learning disorder evaluation, one is able to pinpoint the problem at hand and gain access to a wide variety of services and assistance including test-taking accommodations, an individualized education plan, and additional support in challenging school settings and tasks
Social-Emotional & Traumatic Stress Assessment
Sometimes during the course of therapy, it helps to gain some measurable insight into one’s psychological wellbeing. This may include learning about emotional functioning, relationship patterns, coping abilities, thought patterns, and sense of identity. We can learn more about these traits using interview and assessment techniques designed to reveal how you see yourself, others, and the world around you.
Additionally, when autism, ADHD, or learning disorder symptoms have been identified, it may be important to determine whether social-emotional or traumatic stress factors are contributing to these concerns.
Our Testing Process
Duration:
4-8 weeks*
From initial contact to completion of evaluation
Intake Session:
50-minutes
Collect background & presenting problem information
Identify & clarify needs for testing
Schedule testing appointment
Testing Appointment(s):
2 hours - 8 hours*
Administration of tests
Test Scoring, Data Integration, Report-Writing & Treatment Planning:
2 hours - 10 hours*
No in-office client visit required
Construction of psychological report and determination of diagnosis
Feedback Session(s):
One to two 50-minute sessions (as needed)
Receive psychological report, explanation of findings and diagnosis
*Depending on scope of testing or assessment question(s)