Psychological Testing for Kids in Manassas, VA—Evaluations and Assessments
As parents, we want the best for our children. We want them to be successful, friendly, and full of life. However, sometimes children have a harder time in the classroom than others and can be easily distracted, have poor attention skills, act out, struggle to keep up, and have a hard time connecting with their peers socially and emotionally. When these concerns are brought up, it can be very overwhelming for parents if they have to make a decision about pursuing psychological testing for their children.
There are many different tests and assessments that can provide insightful information about learning and academic functioning which can help children be accurately placed in learning programs. Although tests can be nerve-wracking at first, they’re intended to give you and your child or teen a peace of mind.
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain
Psychological testing helps determine a child’s strengths and weaknesses in comparison to other children in their age group. These assessments also help with diagnoses and the development of treatment plans based on their needs. Whether your child is struggling at school, they need a school admission test, or a gifted placement evaluation, you’re in the right place. Thriveworks Manassas Counseling offers a variety of testing options to our clients and also provides exceptional treatment plans based on your child’s findings. If you have any questions or would like to get started, reach out today.
Should My Child Get Psychological Testing?
Maybe your child’s teacher has reached out to you about your child falling behind. Maybe you noticed your child struggling with their homework. Or maybe you want your child to get into a gifted program because you think they’d be qualified. There is a wide range of reasons to seek out a psychological test. However, “younger clients are more likely to receive testing for ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder,” explains Sean Hayes PsyD of Thriveworks Counseling in Sterling, VA. “For Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is important to get testing done early because that research shows that putting in support early for Autism Spectrum Disorder can lead to better results as the child grows.”
Here at Thriveworks Manassas Counseling, we provide a comprehensive range of assessments that tests for:
- ADHD
- School readiness
- Learning disabilities in reading, writing, and math
- Autism Spectrum
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Intellectual disabilities
- Trouble remembering and learning
- Giftedness
- Developmental delays
- Personality disorders
- Behavioral disorders
- Personality disorders
- Thought disorders
- And more!
Ultimately, the decision is up to you on whether or not you want to proceed with testing. If your child is struggling to keep up or you feel like something is off, we recommend getting help as soon as possible. Early intervention is key to helping your child grow to live a happy and full life.
Types of Psychological Testing
There are many different reasons to get psychological testing, such as those we touched on earlier. Depending on the concerns, psychological assessments may include cognitive, academic, developmental, and social-emotional categories. These tests also are broken down into different groups, including:
- Intellectual Testing: To assess cognitive functioning and intellectual abilities, your child will be given tasks that examine verbal reasoning, visual-spatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, short-term memory, and processing speed. Types of intellectual tests include the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, Differential Abilities Scale, and the Kaufman Assessment.
- Academic Achievement: These are geared towards determining how your child may do in school and will be given a series of words and texts to read and answer questions, solve math problems, and write sentences or an essay. Types of academic achievement tests include the Gray Oral Reading Test, Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, and the Nelson-Denny Reading Test.
- Information Processing Tests: These tests measure auditory and visual processing, language, and more. Some include the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Woodcock-Johnson IV tests.
- Memory/Attention Tests: These measure memory, attention, executive functions, abstract reasoning, and other neuropsychological functions. Tests include the Seashore Rhythm Test, Speech Sounds Perception Test, and Tactual Performance Test.
- Emotional Testing: Parents, teachers, and children complete questionnaires to provide a picture of how the child gets along with their peers, how they feel, and how they behave at home and school. Some popular tests include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Rorschach Inkblot Test.
- Adaptive Behavior: These are used to determine learning disabilities, behavioral strengths, and weaknesses in order to improve a child’s successes in school and life. Adaptive Behavior Inventory is an example of an adaptive assessment.
- Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Designed to help identify children who might have developmental delays that can be linked to autism. Screening tools may include Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales and Ages and Stages Questionnaires.
What to Expect from a Psychological Assessment at Thriveworks Manassas
The psychologists, therapists, and counselors at Thriveworks are dedicated to providing well-rounded, accurate assessments to their clients. Our mental health professionals have the training and knowledge to evaluate your child’s strengths and weaknesses and then can develop a unique plan of action for their specific needs.
When taking a psychological test or assessment, your child’s psychologist will talk with both you and your child, observe your child during the evaluation, analyze different standardized tests based on their needs, and evaluate medical and school records to learn more specifics about your child. Assessments generally take a few hours to complete. Once your child’s psychologist has collected all of their information, they will go over the results with you and discuss what steps can be taken to improve weak areas. They can provide you with coping strategies, stress management, and tools to move forward.
Work with a Trusted Psychologist at Thriveworks Manassas Counseling
By evaluating and understanding your child’s needs, you can help them grow and become more successful as they navigate life. Kids are constantly evolving and learning new information. Psychological testing can give them that extra helping hand they need when things get tough.
When you’re ready to set up an appointment with a caring, dedicated psychologist at Thriveworks Manassas Counseling, give us a call and a scheduling specialist will help you find a time that best meets your needs. We have flexible scheduling options, don’t operate on a waitlist, accept most major insurance carriers, and offer exceptional self-payment rates. We look forward to hearing from you and starting this journey together.
