Comprehensive Assessment Process

At East Texas Assessment, we believe that understanding the whole person is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. Our comprehensive psychological evaluations examine multiple domains of functioning, allowing us to develop a complete picture of an individual's strengths and challenges. This integrated approach ensures that no single aspect is viewed in isolation, leading to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatment recommendations.

Intellectual Assessment

Our intellectual testing provides a detailed analysis of cognitive abilities across multiple domains. We evaluate verbal comprehension, which includes language understanding and expression. Processing speed assessment measures how quickly and accurately you can process information. Visual-spatial abilities testing examines how well you understand and manipulate visual information. Memory testing assesses both short-term and working memory capacity, crucial components for learning and daily functioning.

Executive Functioning

Executive functioning assessment delves deep into attention and cognitive control mechanisms. Through sophisticated visual and auditory attention tests, we evaluate sustained attention, divided attention, and attention switching capabilities. This helps identify specific attention challenges that might impact academic or professional performance. We also assess organizational skills, planning abilities, and impulse control – all crucial components of executive functioning that affect daily life.

Adaptive and Behavioral Assessment

Our comprehensive behavioral evaluation examines social skills development, daily living abilities, and communication patterns. We assess sensory sensitivities and behavioral patterns often associated with autism spectrum conditions. This includes evaluating how individuals respond to different sensory inputs, their ability to engage in social interactions, and their capacity to adapt to changing environments. We also look at restrictive or repetitive behaviors that might impact daily functioning.

Academic Achievement

Academic assessment includes detailed evaluation of reading comprehension, phonological processing, and decoding abilities crucial for identifying dyslexia. Mathematical reasoning and calculation skills are assessed to identify potential dyscalculia. We examine handwriting and written expression to evaluate for dysgraphia. This comprehensive academic assessment helps identify specific learning differences that may require educational accommodations or interventions.

Emotional and Behavioral Health

Our assessment process includes thorough evaluation of emotional well-being, including screening for anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions. We use both standardized measures and clinical interviews to understand how emotional factors might be impacting daily functioning and learning ability.

The Assessment Journey

Your assessment begins with a comprehensive initial interview where we gather detailed background information and understand your specific concerns. This is followed by a testing session where we evaluate each domain using standardized, evidence-based assessment tools. While brief feedback may be provided immediately after testing, we schedule a detailed feedback session approximately one week later.

During the feedback session, Dr. Kennedy provides a thorough review of all test results, explaining their significance and implications. We discuss specific recommendations for support and intervention, whether these involve educational accommodations, therapeutic interventions, or medical referrals. Our detailed reports can be shared with schools, healthcare providers, or other professionals to ensure coordinated care and support.