Psychological Testing

Our comprehensive evaluations allow us to discover if there are any psychological, learning, or attention problems which need treatment.   We also perform psychological screening evaluations for patients preparing for bariatric surgery or for spinal stimulator implant surgery.

For Juvenile Attention Disorders

1. Prior to testing, a psychologist has a meeting with the child and parents to gather important information about the child to be tested. This information includes developmental, medical, and social history. Checklists and questionnaires are given to the parents for the child’s teachers to complete, as well as a set for the parents. The checklists and questionnaires from parents and teachers must be returned on the day of testing.
2. On the day of testing, a comprehensive set of tests will be administered to help determine if a diagnosis of ADHD is warranted. These tests will provide information that is important for making a diagnosis of ADHD. The tests will evaluate intelligence, academic achievement, attention, emotional functioning, possible learning disabilities, and personality characteristics. Testing takes between 2.5-4 hours.
3. On the day of feedback, the psychologists will review with the parents the results of the testing, the diagnosis, and the treatment alternatives.

For Adult Attention Disorders

1. Prior to testing, a psychologist has a meeting with the patient to gather important information about current and past functioning. This information includes developmental, educational, medical, and social history. After the interview, a set of psychological tests will be administered to help determine if a diagnosis of ADHD is warranted. These tests will provide information that is important for making a diagnosis of ADHD. The tests will evaluate attention, emotional functioning, and personality characteristics for adults. Testing generally takes less than 2 hours.
2. On the day of feedback, the psychologists will review with the patient the results of the testing, the diagnosis, and the treatment alternatives.

For Bariatric Surgery Pre-Op

On the day of testing the patient will be given a series of computer administered tests, as well as, paper and pencil tests evaluating current psychological adjustment and attitudes related to their eating and medical condition.   Then the patient meets in a one-on-one session to elaborate on these findings.   Patients are assessed for:

• Psychiatric history
• Current psychological function
• Weight and dieting history
• Current eating behaviors
• Level of physical activity

During the evaluation, patients are also educated on the behavioral changes necessary to ensure good post-operative results, as well as any psychological changes that can be anticipated after surgery.

For Spinal Stimulator Implant Pre-Op

On the day of testing, the patient will be given a series of computer administered tests, as well as, paper and pencil tests evaluating current psychological adjustment and attitudes related to their medical condition and adaptation to pain.   Then the patient meets in a one-on-one session to elaborate on these findings.   Patients are assessed for their:

• Psychiatric history
• Current psychological function
• Pain treatment and management history
• Current adaptive behaviors
• Level of physical activity

During the evaluation, patients are also educated on the behavioral changes necessary to ensure good post-operative results.