Educational/ ADHD Testing

Psychological Testing for Answers about Educational Performance

South Florida Neuropsychology in Boca Raton, Florida, offers psychoeducational testing to diagnose brain-based disabilities and conditions. Our assessment uses ability, achievement, and psychological tests to examine mental processes for academic performance. It is our goal to identify the components of a patient's learning style so appropriate corrective measures and accommodations can be utilized for the best chance at success. One such common learning disability is ADHD.

Assessments

Our psychological testing defines learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other conditions in children, adolescents, college students, and adults that may interfere with learning. Evaluations can be used for diagnosis, qualification for services, or academic/testing accommodations.

Evaluation Areas

In addition to testing intelligence, we administer a detailed achievement test to examine the different aspects of a patient's academic achievement and learning style. Depending on the nature of the disability, a more detailed evaluation with neuropsychological testing might be required to rule out other brain-based factors. We evaluate the following areas in our psychoeducational testing:

• Mathematics — Numerical Operations and Mathematic Reasoning
• Oral Language — Listening Comprehension, Oral Expression, and Fluency
• Reading — Word Recognition, Comprehension, Phonemic Decoding, and Speed
• Written Language — Spelling and Written Expression

Learning Disability

For us to be able to diagnose a learning disability, there must be a significant difference between that patient's abilities and academic achievement. By determining the areas of a patient's learning style that are contributing to the disability, we are able to provide recommendations on steps that need to be taken to ensure a successful educational career.

Gifted Testing

We also conduct gifted testing for students. This can help determine whether a child should be placed in a gifted program to advance their abilities and avoid boredom in traditional classes. It also ascertains specifics about a child's learning needs, including strengths and weaknesses, and uncovers any learning disabilities that require attention, so educational accommodations can be tailored to their needs. The best time to test is right before beginning kindergarten or between the ages of four and eight.

Types of Gifted Tests

The two types of tests to determine gifted status are IQ tests and test of academic achievement. IQ tests measure ability, whereas achievement tests measure what a child has learned. Individual tests such as WISC-IV, WPPSI-III, and WIAT-II are more accurate to determine gifted status as opposed to group tests. Our tests are conducted by a psychologist who specializes in psychoeducational evaluations.

Learn to Live With ADD/ADHD

It is estimated that 3% to 5% of all children are diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children who suffer from this brain disorder are at risk for academic and social failure, and emotional difficulties. South Florida Neuropsychology in Boca Raton, Florida, provides psychoeducational assessments to diagnose ADD/ADHD. With early diagnosis and treatment, children can succeed. We also offer psychotherapy services to help patients cope with a variety of conditions.

ADD/ADHD

ADD/ADHD is a condition typically diagnosed in children that exhibit symptoms of impulsivity, inattention, distractibility, and hyperactivity. It can result in academic, social, and behavioral difficulties if not diagnosed and managed properly. With proper treatment, symptoms can be controlled, and individuals can lead a full life. Signs of ADD/ADHD include:

• Appearing Not to Listen
• Avoiding Tasks That Require Sustained
Mental Effort
• Careless Mistakes
• Difficulty Sustaining Attention
• Difficulty Waiting One's Turn
• Disruptive Behavior

• Difficulty Organizing and Completing Tasks
• Easily Distracted
• Excessively Active or Verbal
• Excessively Restless, Fidgety, or Squirmy
• Impulsiveness
• Inability to Pay Attention to Details
• Trouble Following Through With Instructions

Adults

While it is often diagnosed in childhood, more than half of children with ADD/ADHD continue to have difficulties into adolescence and adulthood. It may have gone undiagnosed until the demands of adulthood make it apparent. Without the proper management, it can lead to underachievement in school, work, and social relationships. The symptom pattern in adolescence and adulthood is focused on the following:

• Excessive Daydreaming
• Forgetfulness
• Inattention

• Irritability
• Need for Excessive Direction
• Poor Follow-Through on Tasks

• Poor Organization
• Procrastination
• Risky Behavior

Assessment

For a thorough assessment, we gather information from multiple sources that are familiar with the patient to learn about the patient's behavior in various settings. This is done through a clinical interview, interviews of others, reviews of records, and structured questionnaires. We also test to rule out other conditions that could be contributing to the difficulties. Testing includes intelligence, neuropsychological, and achievement testing, as well as evaluating emotional functioning. We administer a continuous performance test to measure impulsivity and inattentiveness. Our assessment can assist students, college students, and adults with determining eligibility for learning accommodations. All testing is completed by a psychologist who specializes in performing comprehensive psychological evaluations for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as common co-existing conditions such as learning disabilities.