How do I know that psychological testing is needed?

Typically, testing should be considered when a person’s problems begin to make it difficult to function at home, in school, or in relationships. Sometimes a teacher, spouse, family member, employer, co-worker, or physician will point out these problems and suggest testing. Discussing these concerns with Dr. Sherrod can help determine if testing is best, or if therapy or another intervention would be more appropriate.

In the case of children, grades could begin to suffer or teachers might complain about the child’s behavior or academic performance. Sometimes the school recommends testing to help school personnel better understand how to help your child. Sometimes testing is needed before special education services can be started (including services for gifted children). In the case of ADHD/ADD or other mental health diagnoses (e.g., depression, anxiety, etc.), many physicians (including pediatricians) will not dispense medication without psychological test data supporting the diagnosis. In other cases, parents become concerned about their child’s functioning at home. Perhaps the child has become withdrawn, aggressive, or somehow “different” from the way he or she used to be. Perhaps there has been a change in the family the child is having trouble adjusting to (e.g., parental divorce or separation, death of a family member, a move to a new city or school, or the birth or adoption of a sibling). Sometimes a child’s therapist will recommend testing as a way of further crystallizing the problems to be addressed in therapy. We do testing for several therapists and then send the reports to the therapists so they can discuss the results with the family.

In the case of adults, testing can be done to discover previously undiagnosed learning disabilities (sometimes helpful for college students who are not functioning as well as they think they should) or mental disorders (e.g., adult ADHD/ADD). Sometimes people want to understand themselves better so they can more easily get along with others or find the answers they are looking for. Adults’ therapists also sometimes recommend testing.

Who has access to my test data or my child’s test data?

If adults request testing, they receive the report. If they want anyone else to receive the report (e.g., their therapist, physician , lawyer, college, etc.), they must sign a release before the report can be sent to that individual or facility. If a third party requests the evaluation (e.g., the court, the Social Security Administration, or an agency such as Vocational Rehabilitation, Goodwill Industries, etc.) and pays for it, they are presumed to own the report because they have the clients’ or claimants’ permission to have the testing done and receive the report. If clients or claimants want feedback from the testing, they will be told to contact the organization requesting the testing to receive that information.

If parents request testing for their children, the parents receive the report. If they want anyone else to receive the report (e.g., the school, therapist, physician, etc.), they can give or send the report directly to that person or organization. If they want the report faxed or sent from our office to someone else, they must sign a written release giving us permission to send the report to that party. Again, if a third party requests the evaluation with a signed release from the person being tested, that organization is presumed to own the report and that organization would be approached with any requests for information.

Copies of all evaluations, including test data, are kept at Counseling Associates for three to ten years and are then shredded. Psychological reports are not considered current after they are three years old. They need to be replaced by new reports that take into consideration recent events or changes in the person being tested. Old reports, like new reports, are not released without permission of the person requesting the testing.

If I am taking medication, should I take it the day of my evaluation? Should I give my child his/her medication before an evaluation?

Yes, absolutely. This is especially important if children are taking medication for ADHD/ADD because the medication can help them cope more successfully with the demands of the evaluation. We want to see the optimal performance of the person being tested.

How should I prepare my child for an evaluation?

You can tell your child that you are taking them to have some tests done to find out more about how they learn and where their strengths and weaknesses are. You might want to tell them that the results of the tests will help you and their teachers understand their individual capabilities. A better understanding of the situation will help reveal more effective ways to enhance your children’s strengths and talents and also will allow teachers and you to help with any problems your children have. Children who are brought for testing usually are aware that something in their lives is uncomfortable or needs to be changed. Because they are likely to already be aware that they need help, they are likely to be relieved that someone is taking their situation seriously and wants to learn more about them to make it possible to provide help.

I can usually handle any testing concerns children raise in the course of an evaluation, and I always address their perceptions of why they are here before testing starts. Making sure your children get adequate rest and a nutritious breakfast is helpful, but your child will also be given breaks as needed during the evaluation. A lengthy lunch break is included during the more complete evaluations. Parents are encouraged to take younger children somewhere for lunch where they can run around or get some exercise before returning for the rest of the evaluation. In rare cases, a child needs to be tested on more than one day, but most people can have their testing completed in one day. Sometimes adults complete some tests at home, but children usually complete all their testing here in the office.

Other questions?
Please call our office (615-298-2329) and we’ll be happy to talk with you.