Testing & Evaluation

If you or your child is struggling in school or at work with academic achievement, work performance, behavior problems, or interpersonal relationships, you may benefit from an evaluation assessing the wide range of components that affect learning, achievement, and performance potential.

Areas Assessed in Testing

An evaluation may assess:

• memory
• attention
• visual processing
• auditory processing
• analytical and reasoning ability
• planning and organization
• fine and gross motor integration
• reading, writing, and math ability
• social intelligence
• motivation
• emotional and psychological functioning

An evaluation will describe areas of cognitive strengths and weaknesses, provide a picture of social-emotional functioning, and indicate the specific sources of performance difficulties. Diagnoses and recommendations are included to guide specific interventions and/or to communicate to school psychologists the requisite accommodations.

Our Center provides comprehensive evaluations for learning disabilities or developmental delays, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), gifted placements or intelligence testing, personality functioning, and career guidance.

When to Seek Psychological Testing

David Sandrow, Ph.D., Psychologist, Director of Testing, works hard to provide accurate assessment and appropriate treatment recommendations so that you or your child will receive the important assistance he or she needs to succeed.

Psychological testing and assessment are often the beginning stages of determining what is at the core of one’s problems. The formal evaluation process can help expedite what have been long-term and unanswered questions, providing clarity through testing and leading to productive changes.

Educational Testing and Accommodations

For individuals that are students, educational testing can be a powerful mechanism to assist in leveling the playing field with certain accommodations being afforded:

• extended time on tests (e.g., FCAT, SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)
• distraction free environment for tests
• use of a calculator
• use of a word processor for writing
• substitution or waived courses

This assistance can extend into college and graduate school and help make the difference in following through on one’s academic goals. Please see attached brochure, Finding the Gift Within, for more information.

Cogmed Working Memory Training

In addition, Dr. Sandrow is a trained coach for Cogmed, a working memory training program that has shown excellent results for improving attention, reducing distractibility, and enhancing working memory. Please visit www.cogmed.com for more information.

Please contact David Sandrow, Ph.D., Psychologist, Director of Testing, if you have further questions (DSandrow@miamicounseling.com).

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