Psychological Testing and Assessment in Columbia, MD

Crossroads Psychological Associates provides psychological testing and assessment catered to your specific needs.

In addition to evaluations based on clinical interviews, Crossroads Psychological Associates also offers advanced psychological assessments.  These assessments include psychological tests that are valid and reliable measures of specific aspects of psychological and cognitive functioning.  Our assessments are administered by Dr. Ana Garcia-Fernandez, a psychologist with advanced training in psychological testing.   All assessments include a written report and are focused not just on supplying testing results, but on developing specific recommendations to help and support the client and guide therapeutic interventions.  

A comprehensive assessment typically involves interviews, questionnaires, and standardized tests. During the initial interview, the clinician gathers information about the individual’s history, current issues, and symptoms. This may include discussions about medical background, family history, and significant life events. The clinician may also use self-report questionnaires and scales to gather information about the patient’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and symptoms. These tools provide valuable insights into the person’s subjective experience and can highlight patterns or concerns that need further exploration.  And finally, standardized psychological tests are an integral component of the assessment. These tests have been rigorously researched and developed to measure specific psychological traits or conditions. They include intelligence/cognitive tests (such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), personality assessments like the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) or the Roreschach, and neuropsychological assessments which examine cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. A full testing battery typically includes both objective and subjective measures.   

DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS

The purpose of psychological diagnostic assessments extends beyond simply labeling an individual’s condition. They help clinicians understand the complexity of a person's strengths and weaknesses and form a comprehensive picture of the individual’s mental state.  Moreover, these assessments can also be useful in developing an effective treatment plan. The results from an assessment can identify specific areas where an individual may benefit from therapy, such as improving social skills, addressing distorted thinking, or managing stress. In some cases, they may be used to inform decisions about medication or other medical interventions.

ADHD AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING ASSESSMENTS

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. One of the key challenges faced by individuals with ADHD is with executive functioning. Executive functions are the cognitive processes that allow individuals to plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. These abilities are essential for goal-directed behavior.  When impaired,they can significantly impact a person’s ability to succeed in everyday life, especially in school, work, and social situations.

Executive functioning (EF) refers to a set of cognitive skills, including working memory, flexible thinking, task initiation, time management, self-monitoring, and emotional regulation. In individuals with ADHD, these skills tend to be underdeveloped, which can manifest as difficulty organizing tasks, staying focused, managing time, and following through on tasks or responsibilities.  An individual withDHD might struggle to prioritize tasks, be forgetful, procrastinate, or become easily distracted.

Testing for ADHD and its associated executive functioning deficits involves a comprehensive assessment. This evaluation typically includes a combination of clinical interviews, behavior rating scales, self-reports, and cognitive testing. These measures help to identify ADHD symptoms and provide insight into how they impact daily functioning. Additionally, neuropsychological testing may be conducted to assess specific areas of executive functioning such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.

An important aspect of executive functioning testing is that it can help to differentiate ADHD from other conditions with overlapping symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities. Correctly diagnosing a disorder is crucial in choosing the most appropriate and effective treatment.  These treatments might include behavioral or cognitive therapy, educational strategies, medication, or a combination of these approaches.

EDUCATIONAL TESTING

Educational testing is a method used to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of students, typically to evaluate learning progress and academic achievement. The purpose of educational testing extends beyond simply grading students; it aims to measure the extent to which individuals have learned a subject, identify areas of strength or weakness, and provide data for teachers and parents.

Educational testing is a necessary component of identifying students with learning disabilities or giftedness. Tests designed for these purposes can be used to develop specific strategies and interventions to help meet students’ individual academic needs.  Our clinicians work closely with the school system and often attend IEP or student support team meetings to help implement these modifications and accommodations in the classroom.  When employed thoughtfully, educational testing can provide valuable insight into how students learn and how to provide these students with the supports they need to be successful academically.  

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS

Neuropsychological assessments are specialized evaluations that assess cognitive, emotional, and psychological functions in individuals. These assessments are conducted by trained neuropsychologists and involve a combination of standardized tests, clinical interviews, and observations. The primary purpose of neuropsychological assessments is to diagnose or rule out neurological conditions that may affect cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and executive functioning. These conditions may include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), stroke, dementia, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These assessments are also used to track changes over time, especially in patients with progressive diseases, or to measure the effectiveness of treatments.

The assessment process typically involves a comprehensive battery of tests that evaluate various cognitive domains. For example, tests may measure memory and learning, processing speed, visuospatial skills, language abilities, and attention. These tests are often designed to compare an individual’s performance to normative data from people of the same age and education level, which helps to identify areas of cognitive impairment.

The results of a neuropsychological assessment can help pinpoint specific cognitive weaknesses and strengths, which allows for targeted interventions, such as cognitive rehabilitation, therapy, or medication. For example, patients with memory deficits might be given memory aids or strategies to compensate for their challenges. In the case of children with learning disabilities, early diagnosis and intervention are key to improving academic outcomes.

PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS

Personality assessments are tools used to evaluate an individual’s personality traits, behaviors, and psychological preferences. They can be used to gain insight into a person's character and personality structure, improve self-awareness, and to enhance interpersonal relationships.  Examples of measures used to assess personality include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI),the 16PF (16 Personality Factor Questionnaire), the Roreschach, Thematic Aperception Test (TAT) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI).