Psychological Testing, ADHD and ADD Assessment, Asperger's Assessment, Neuropsychological Testing

Why Psychological Assessment? 

There are a number of reasons why concerned parents, physicians, psychiatrists, and schools utilize psychological testing. Psychological testing can help provide answers and direction to problems that children or adolescents may be experiencing that can’t be answered through an interview or observation. Adults may also seek out psychological testing to help with treatment, clarify diagnosis, or meet criteria for applications for adoptions or other processes. Psychological testing allows a psychologist to compare a child’s performance and behaviors with other children their same age. This allows a psychologist to identify the medical or psychological source of problems and to make appropriate recommendations. 

•		Psychological assessment can provide a more accurate picture of emotional, behavioral, or academic problems a child or adult may be exhibiting. Testing offers a more comprehensive approach to understanding symptoms by combining multiple opinions as well as actual performance on psychological tests to better identify the true nature of problems.
•		Psychological testing can help avoid misdiagnosis and improper treatment of problems that can look similar and share the same symptoms.  Psychological assessment is a scientific and research based approach that aims to provide an objective diagnosis while taking into account the individual’s unique issues and problems. Having a correct diagnosis is extremely important for proper treatment.
•		Psychological assessment can aid in guiding treatment, medication decisions, appropriate therapies, school accommodations and interventions, and counseling approaches. Comprehensive assessment can assist in treatment planning and direct parents and professionals to resources and treatment approaches that will be most beneficial to the child or adult.
•		Psychological testing can provide justification and medical documentation for school accommodations, 504 Plans, Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for school and college. School testing will typically not provide a formal medical diagnosis.
•		Psychological Assessment can provide answers and assist with problems such as a academic struggles, complex cases, failures in treatment, lack of certainty regarding approaches to emotional or behavioral problems, and therapeutic impasses. Physicians, psychiatrists, schools, and parents will employ psychological testing to help guide treatment and offer direction to these and similar difficulties.

Issues that psychological testing can provide diagnosis, treatment guidance, and recommendations for include:

•		Deficits in School Performance or Socialization
•		Confirmation of Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD
•		Asperger's Disorder Rule out, Autism, Developmental Delays
•		Mood Changes or Changes in Socialization Patterns
•		Learning Disability or other Academic Problems
•		Behavioral Problems
•		School and College Accommodations due to ADHD or Processing Delays
•		Assistance in Providing Treatment Direction
•		Impasses or Lack of Progress with Emotional, Behavioral, or Academic Problems

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Testing and Assessment

It can be especially important to have a formal testing evaluation for ADHD or ADD as there are many other symptoms that may resemble some of the problems associated with ADHD. Since medication is typically one of the treatments of choice for ADHD, it is good to verify the actual nature of these problems to determine if it truly is ADHD or ADD.

Testing and assessment can also provide additional information that can be essential to proper treatment including:

In many cases, symptoms presenting as ADHD can be more accurately explained by anxiety, motivational challenges, learning deficits, or other areas of difficulty.

One of the problems with relying solely on an ADHD diagnosis from an interview or questionnaire is that other difficulties or challenges may incorrectly lead one to assume that ADHD is present when it is not.  On the other end, children with strong intelligence can fly under the radar and their condition may not be correctly noticed.

Assessment that incorporates performance tests that measure a child or teen's actual performance in the areas of attention and concentration can:

•		Increase accuracy of making a diagnosis of ADHD
•		Help avoid misdiagnosis
•		Avoid under-diagnosis common in highly intelligent or gifted children
•		Accurately specify the nature of the attention disturbance among subtypes of ADHD

ADHD/ADD can present in many different ways in children and adolescents. Comprehensive psychological assessment allows for a more holistic picture of the child and specific recommendations to address individual needs.


Asperger's Disorder, Autistic Spectrum, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, PDD Assessment and Psychological Testing

Psychological testing can be important in helping to identify and accurately diagnose Asperger's Disorder or other autistic spectrum disorders. There are unique measures used to help in differentiating and identifying Asperger's disorder in children and teens. Testing is also helpful in assessing other emotional or cognitive difficulties that may accompany this disorder as well as coordinating and supporting effective treatment strategies with the school, family, doctors, and specialists.

Parents, school personnel, physicians, and psychiatrists will often refer to psychological assessment to:

•		Provide verification of diagnosis and differentiate between similar problems with common symptoms
•		Gain insight into neuropsychological and cognitive factors important to treatment and services
•		Support Individualized Education Plans (IEP), 504 plans, and guide school accommodations
•		Assess for and make recommendations for common associated problems such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression
•		Guide and coordinate treatment planning among specialists, service providers, and parents

Insurance and Fees

Many insurances with reimburse for psychological assessment. Fees vary depending on the service. Our providers work with multiple insurance companies and many services are covered by insurance. Our billing department will bill insurance directly and work with you to access your benefits.

If you are looking for a psychologist or counselor proficient in providing child counseling, teen counseling,
family therapy, marriage counseling, or psychological testing, click on our staff page to learn more about our psychologists and therapists or click on services for more details regarding treatment for different problems.

TO CONTACT US WITH A QUESTION REGARDING PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING SERVICES OR TO SCHEDULE AN INITIAL CONSULTATION, CALL (630)588-8490 OR CLICK BELOW.



Dr. Joe Roszkowski, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Joe is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been working in the   human services field for over twelve years. He provides individual, family, and couples therapy, and psychological testing to children, adolescents and adults. He completed his Doctorate and Masters Degree in Psychology at Roosevelt University. Dr. Joe was awarded his Bachelors Degree in Religion at Florida State University. He has served as an expert witness in family cases in DuPage County and Kane County. Dr. Roszkowski has provided psychological assessment and neuropsychological assessment in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, community mental health, and currently in private practice. He has experience and training in providing assessment services from pre-school ages through the lifespan. Dr. Roszkowski also provides psychological evaluations for the Department of Children and Family Services in Illinois. He provides scientifically based psychological assessments for children and adults that offer treatment direction, support for school accommodations, and diagnostic clarity.


  Dr. Elizabeth Gabel
  Doctor of Psychology
 
Dr. Gabel is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology who has been working in the human        services field for the last 6 years. She completed her Doctorate and Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Gabel completed her Bachelors Degree in Psychology at The University of South Alabama. Her research is in Bullying Behaviors in Middle and High School Students.  She provides individual and family therapy to adults and children as well as comprehensive psychological assessment.  Dr. Gabel has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Aurora University and College of DuPage where she has taught Bachelors level classes in Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Testing, Introduction to Psychology, and Child and Adolescent Development.

Office Contact and Location:
Pathways Psychology Services
Phone: 630-588-8490
Fax: 630-588-8491
E-mail: drjoe@pathways-psychology.com
27W130 Roosevelt Road, Suite 203
Winfield, IL 60190