Types of Evaluations
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Descriptions/Types of Evaluations available at PPA
PPA offers a comprehensive range of individual and family treatment options designed to meet your unique needs. Our team of mental health clinicians is dedicated to providing evidence-based care tailored to support our clientsā mental health and well-being. We offer a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed approaches, Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and biofeedback-assisted techniques. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, or other concerns, we are here to help you navigate this very important journey. Additionally, we understand that accessibility is key to effective treatment, which is why we offer flexible service options, including in-person, Telehealth, and hybrid services, ensuring that you can access quality care in a way that works best for you and your family.
Developmental Evaluations
Developmental EvaluationsĀ seek to assess early development in infants and toddlers (ages zero to three years), typically when there is a concern regarding developmental delays or āred flagsā for an Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or a developmental delay.
Psychodevelopmental EvaluationsĀ
Psychodevelopmental EvaluationsĀ are conducted to assess young children (ages three to five years) when there are concerns about potential developmental delays that may be interfering with optimal functioning. Developmental milestones include fine and gross motor functioning, speech/language/communication skills, processing/cognitive abilities, preacademic and early academic skills (when appropriate), as well as social, behavioral and emotional functioning.
Psychoeducational Evaluations
Psychoeducational EvaluationsĀ are conducted to assess an individualās learning style (ages five years through adulthood). Psychoeducational evaluations are usually recommended when a student is struggling in school or having difficulty with test-taking (i.e., FSA, SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, etc.). Depending on the age, the reason for the testing will vary (school placement, academic accommodations, interventions, and field of study/career decisions for college students and young adults). Psychoeducational evaluations are used to determine an individualās strengths and weaknesses and establish whether there is a neurodevelopmental condition (such as a learning disability, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, etc.) interfering with academic functioning. Evaluation results are integral in the creation of individualized intervention/accommodation plans that will be most effective for a student to succeed.
Neuropsychological Evaluations
Ā Neuropsychological EvaluationsĀ are conducted to assess an individualās cognitive profile when there is a known or suspected brain dysfunction. Such a condition may result from a head injury, a medical condition (such as epilepsy, genetic disorders, meningitis, etc.), neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, etc.), or cognitive decline associated with aging. Neuropsychological testing provides a more in-depth examination of the relationship between a specific domain of cognitive functioning controlled by different regions of the brain (such as working memory, attention/concentration, visual/auditory processing, learning/memory, etc.) and behavior (including learning, reasoning, self-regulation, communication, etc.)
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological EvaluationsĀ are primarily conducted to assess an individualās emotional and behavioral functioning. These evaluations provide useful information about how someoneās character, psychological constructs, and interpersonal style are affecting their functioning. Diagnostic information is useful to clarify a clinical picture and help guide treatment.
Gifted/Intelligence Evaluations
Gifted/Intelligence EvaluationsĀ are conducted to assess children who have demonstrated advanced skills in problem-solving and learning.Ā Testing for gifted placementĀ is conducted when there is the likelihood that a child would benefit from a more challenging academic program at school. All public school systems in the state of Florida (as well as many private schools) require intelligence testing to identify whether or not a child meets the criteria for placement in a gifted program. Intelligence Testing can also be completed with adults, depending on the reason for referral (Mensa, employment requirement, etc.).
Autism Diagnostic Evaluations for Adults
Autism Diagnostic Evaluations for AdultsĀ are conducted to determine the existence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in suspecting adults. Such evaluations involve a comprehensive review of developmental history, intelligence testing, administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observational Scale ā 2ndĀ Edition (ADOS-2), and assessment of psychological and adaptive functioning. Information gathered is used to confirm/discard a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as to guide recommendations for any interventions, accommodations or supports necessary to optimize functioning. Please note that this evaluation is insufficient to provide clarification on various other complex differential diagnoses that may present similarly to, or in conjunction with, an Autism Spectrum Disorder. In such cases, a more extensive battery of tests is needed.
Speech and Language EvaluationsĀ
Speech and Language EvaluationsĀ assess all areas of communication including speech articulation, receptive (comprehension) and expressive (speaking) language, pragmatic/communication skills, and when appropriate, feeding/oral-motor skills. These evaluations are provided to individuals across the lifespan.
