A diagnostic assessment is a set of evaluation procedures administered and interpreted to obtain information about the person’s development, learning, memory, academics, behavior and mental health. Different assessment procedures, or combination of procedures, are used, depending upon the clinical questions, presenting problems along with careful consideration of cultural differences and possible impairments in speech/language, hearing, vision and motor development. Also, current status of basic health care, hearing and vision need to be established.
When indicated, we offer comprehensive diagnostic assessment and evaluation services. Among the type of evaluations offered are emotional and behavioral evaluation and testing, educational and learning disability assessments, intelligence testing (IQ), and personality types and traits for individual growth, employment evaluations, and couples therapy.
Why participate in diagnostic evaluation and testing?
Diagnostic evaluations are intended to provide a structured, organized, and succinct description of current behavioral and emotional functioning including cognitive abilities and emotional experience. A diagnostic evaluation offers insight as to the severity of a particular disturbance and of the capacity for adequate functioning. It is a formal and structured way of gathering objective information about a person for the purpose of making decisions and sorting out questions about the particular child, adolescent, or adult. In addition, a diagnostic evaluation may be used to confirm or modify the impressions formed by referring therapists or educators through less structured interactions in therapy or in the classroom. A comprehensive evaluation can identify needs in therapy, highlight issues that may come up in treatment, recommend particular forms of intervention, and offer guidance about potential outcomes of treatment.
What is involved in a diagnostic evaluation?
A diagnostic evaluation is conducted using different sources and assessment methods (norm-referenced, criterion-referenced tests, screeners/checklists, self-report ratings, observation, and review of history and development).
A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation begins with a clinical interview, and then includes any number of diagnostic assessments depending on the nature of the questions posed about the client. Testing generally takes several hours to complete and usually requires separate appointments. Diagnostic tests can include assessments of personality styles, tests of emotional well-being, intellectual (or IQ) tests, tests of academic achievement, tests for possible neurological damage, and tests for specific emotional or behavioral disturbances and their severity. The evaluation may also include interviews with significant others (such as parents, spouses, or teachers), as well as a review of past records and relevant documents. After the assessment (information gathering), the therapist scores, interprets the results compiling this into a formal integrated written report of findings and discusses the findings with the patient or parents. Finally, feedback is provided along with recommendations based on the findings presented in a personal interactive meeting.
The use of diagnostic assessments requires years of training that involves not only learning how to administer the tests, but also how to incorporate all the information from a variety of tests, background information, and interviews, with the clinical knowledge of theories, of research, of the nature of emotional and behavioral problems, of personality styles, and of human development. It is the professional gathering and integration of all this material about a person that is the process of a diagnostic evaluation.
How do I arrange for a diagnostic evaluation or testing?
If you believe you or your child is in need of a diagnostic assessment contact our office to arrange an evaluation. Diagnostic evaluations and testing at Feltrup-Exum & Associates are completed with Patricia Feltrup-Exum, M.A., LMFT or Bruce Feltrup-Exum, M.Div., LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists with extensive experience in assessments and evaluations of children, adolescents, and adults. Diagnostic evaluations are not submitted to your insurance carrier. The fees associated with a diagnostic assessment or evaluation will be discussed with you during your first appointment.