Psychological Testing/Neuropsychological Screening: Psychological testing is used only in limited cases for very specific reasons and through referral to psychologists or neurophysiologists outside of the practice: Often times patients present for treatment whose current psychological or psychiatric status is unclear with respect to an accurate diagnosis. On those occasions, it is sometimes necessary to engage the patient in the process of psychological assessment which frequently requires the use of psychological testing. Sudden changes in mental status, an inability to accurately diagnose patients through the interview and a need to understand discrepancies in actual vs. expected performance might necessitate the use of psychological testing in order to answer the referral question. In addition, there are often cases in which it is necessary to differentiate whether presenting symptomatology is organic or functional in nature or a level of intellectual functioning is needed so that the most appropriate, efficient, cost effective treatment plan can be developed. Psychological assessment and testing, therefore can appreciatively assist in the development of individualized treatment planning. Thus, in adults, psychological testing is often used for the purposes of intellectual, personality and organicity evaluations. For children and adolescents, psychological testing is helpful in diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, depression, and learning and/or behavioral problems.
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