Psychological Assessments

Testing and Assesment

Tests and assessments are two separate but related components of a psychological evaluation. Psychologists use both types of tools to help them arrive at a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Testing involves the use of formal tests such as questionnaires or checklists. These are often described as “norm-referenced” tests. That simply means the tests have been standardized so that test-takers are evaluated in a similar way, no matter where they live or who administers the test. A norm-referenced test of a child's reading abilities, for example, may rank that child's ability compared to other children of similar age or grade level. Norm-referenced tests have been developed and evaluated by researchers and proven to be effective for measuring a particular trait or disorder.

A psychological assessment can include numerous components such as norm-referenced psychological tests, informal tests and surveys, interview information, school or medical records, medical evaluation and observational data. A psychologist determines what information to use based on the specific questions being asked. For example, assessments can be used to determine if a person has a learning disorder, is competent to stand trial or has a traumatic brain injury.

Types of Assessments

Psychological Assessment

A psychological assessment is used to gather information to evaluate a person’s behavior, character, strengths, and needs for the purpose of diagnosing, setting goals, and recommending treatments.

Neuropsychological Assessment

A neuropsychological assessment provides specific information about the presence and nature of deficits related to neurological damage or dysfunction and its associated cognitive, behavioral and psychological problems.

Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment (Non-legal)
Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment (Legal)

Psycho-educational assessment

A psycho-educational assessment measures overall aptitude and academic achievement around core skills, such as reading, writing and math. It involves a number of techniques, including pencil and paper activities, verbal responses, and the evaluation of motor skills (e.g., drawing, playing with blocks). The assessment varies based on the client's age.

This type of assessment can be used on both children, and adults to provide a diagnosis of a learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental disability, and identify any other social/emotional/behavioral or psychological problems.

Adult ADHD Assessment

Cognitive/Memory Assessments

Dementia Screening

Future possibility for Autism Assessments

More information on Autism can be found at the Autism Society of Newfoundland & Labrador

https://asnl.ca/about-autism/