A personality evaluation is available for children and adolescents, ages 5 to 20. This evaluation is appropriate when there are concerns about emotional problems and/or significant behavioral issues. This evaluation can assist with diagnosis of an emotional or behavioral disorder, and with better understanding underlying psychological processes that are contributing to an individual’s behavioral or emotional problems. Information is obtained regarding the individual’s self-perception, coping resources, interpersonal functioning, thought processes, and emotional self-regulation. This information is then used to generate recommendations for an intervention plan. This personality evaluation is conducted by a neuropsychologist, and includes the following: – Approximately 1 ½ to 2 hour clinical interview of the parents / caretakers and the child – Objective and projective personality tests that measure the individual’s personality, emotional, and behavioral functioning – A brief cognitive screening of the individual’s intellectual functioning Approximately one week after testing is completed, a 1 ½ to 2 hour interpretive conference is scheduled to discuss the test results and recommendations. A detailed written report summarizing the test results and recommendations is then mailed to the client in approximately four to six weeks after the interpretive conference. Upon request, the neuropsychologist is available to hold a feedback session with the child, to provide him/her with results and recommendations as well.
The Assessment of Personality And Emotional Disorders
The Assessment of Personality and Emotional Disorders consists of several objective and projective personality measures and a diagnostic interview and takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. It is recommended when a more complete assessment of personality and emotional functioning is required.
The Assessment of Social Disorders
The neuropsychological evaluation may include specialized assessment of social cognition, e.g. the ability to understand socially relevant information. This additional assessment would be indicated when there are significant concerns about 1) the development of age appropriate social skills as demonstrated with family members, other adults, or peers; 2) the ability to use and understand language both at home and at school, and 3) the development of appropriate and accurate self perception
and self awareness.
The evaluation of social cognition would include more extensive assessment of your child’s social, cognitive and language development. Information would be gathered through a diagnostic interview with the parents conducted by a pediatric neuro-psychologist, completion of additional questionnaires for your child, and administration of tests which offer additional information to help understand these issues. This assessment of social cognition requires approximately 2 to 3 hours, in addition to the standard neuropsychological battery described above.