Psychology to Go: Getting a Good Assessment of Learning Disabilitiies
"Learning disabilities "is a wide-ranging term that describes specific brain deficits that negatively impact learning. Individuals with learning disabilities are typically of average or above-average intelligence, but struggle with core academic expectations. A learning disability evaluation can explain poor academic performance and illuminate what special accommodations are needed for academic and personal success. A learning disability assessment includes a battery of tests that are administered by a licensed psychologist. Testing is done individually and generally takes 2-3 testing sessions. In addition to testing data, the psychologist will also get background information and assess emotional functioning to rule out the likelihood that something else better explains your learning difficulties.
1. Give the evaluator copies of any previous testing prior to the first testing session.
It is important to make the evaluator aware of any previous efforts to document your learning difficulties and the outcomes of previous testing. By the time someone decides to get a formal learning disabilities assessment, there is usually a history of formal and informal attempts to address the problems. By providing this information at the outset, the evaluator can be brought up to speed quickly.
2. Only work with an evaluator if you determine that you can be open and honest with the person.
Be forthcoming with the psychologist during all contacts. Assess your comfort level with him/her when discussing your weaknesses. Be honest about what you are expecting to come from the results of the test findings. Let the psychologist know if there any deadlines related to you obtaining this assessment and if testing was recommended by school or work officials. If you find that you are withholding information, this may not be the best person for the evaluation.
3. Speak with several psychologists prior to making a decision.
Although psychologists have similar educational backgrounds, they have their own thoughts and opinions on how to best evaluate and treat different conditions. Some may be more conservative, others make take a more aggressive approach. There may be good arguments for each approach. By arming yourself with different perspectives, you will be better able to make the decision that is right for you.
4. Be Yourself during the evaluation.
In order to get an accurate understanding of the patterns of your learning problems, it is important that you behave as you typically behave.
5. Ask questions at the first contact with the psychologist.
Ask about the training and experience of the evaluator. Ask for a price quote for the total evaluation. A learning disabilities assessment consists of multiple tests. Psychologists vary in how they break up the testing process. Ask how many hours of testing you can expect and over the course of how many days. Ask if there will be a feedback session and if the psychologist is available to discuss the test results with other professionals after the evaluation is over.
Below are some psychological and psychoeducational tests Dr. Criswell uses:
Verbal/Nonverbal Learning:
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV)
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV)
Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI-3)
Learning and Memory Process:
Test of Learning and Memory-2 (TOMAL-2)
Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III)
Reading Process:
Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP)
Jordan Left-Right Reversal Test
Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE)
Nelson Denny Reading Test
School Achievement:
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT II)
Attention:
Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA); Visual and Auditory versions.
The TOVA is a computerized test that measures responses (e.g., omission errors, commission errors, correct responses, response times, and response time variability) to stimuli under "boring" and "stimulating" conditions. Scores are compared to norms to identify attention problems. Scores can sometimes be used to differentiate between ADD (inattention) and ADHD (impulsivity).
Stoop Color and Word Test
Behavior Rating Scales:
The Aschenbach checklists: Child Behavior Checklist; Youth Self Report; Teacher Report Form; Adult Self-Report; Adult Behavior Checklist
Parenting Stress Inventory.
Marital Satisfaction Inventory
Perceptual Tests:
Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI)
Bender Gestalt Visual Motor Test
Personality and Emotions:
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2 for adults, MMPI-A for adolescents),
Beck Depression Scale II
Beck Hopelessness Scale,
Beck Anxiety Scale
NEO Five Factor Personality Profile
Child Depression Inventory
Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale
Rorschach Inkblot Technique
Reynolds Apperception Test for Children
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Work-Related Testing:
Holland Vocational Preference Inventory
NEO Five Factor Personality Profile