What is a psychological assessment for a child?

A psychological assessment helps understand how a child thinks, feels, and behaves. It involves talking to the child, their parents, and sometimes teachers, along with various tests and activities. This process helps identify any issues that may need attention.

How do I get my child a psychological assessment?

You can arrange a psychological assessment for your child at Bright Start Health by contacting our office to schedule an appointment.

How do children feel about psychological evaluation?

Children may have different feelings about a psychological evaluation. Some might feel nervous or scared because they don’t know what to expect, while others might feel relieved that they are getting help. It's important to explain to the child that the evaluation is to help them and that it’s not a test they can fail.

How is a child’s psychological assessment information used?

The information from a psychological assessment is used to understand the child's needs and create a support plan for home and school. This information helps guide parents, teachers, and doctors on how to best support the child. It is usually kept private and shared only with those who need to know.

How long does the evaluation take?

The length of a psychological evaluation can vary. It might take a few hours or be spread over several days, sometimes involving multiple sessions with the child and their parents. The exact duration depends on the child's needs and the type of assessment being conducted.

How do I tell a child we're going to a psychologist?

When telling a child about going to a psychologist, it’s important to be calm and positive. Explain that the visit is to help them understand their thoughts and feelings better and to provide support. Reassure them that many children see psychologists and that it's okay to feel a bit nervous. Emphasize that it’s not a test and they are not in trouble.

Child Psychological Evaluations in Baltimore

Concerned about your child's psychological well-being? Our team of expert psychologists in Baltimore is here to provide comprehensive evaluations and support for your child's mental health needs.

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Child Psychological Evaluation in Baltimore

What Our Pediatric Psychological Assessment Services Include

ADHD Assessment: Our process for evaluating and diagnosing ADHD involves detailed questionnaires and interviews to examine attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns. This ensures that we provide an accurate diagnosis and create a personalized plan for managing ADHD.

Developmental Disorders Evaluation: In order to identify and diagnose a variety of anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder, we conduct thorough clinical interviews and use symptom-specific questionnaires. This helps us identify excessive worry, fear, and behavioral changes, allowing us to develop a tailored treatment plan.

Anxiety Disorders Examination: For diagnosing anxiety disorders like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder, we conduct thorough clinical interviews and use symptom-specific questionnaires. This helps us identify excessive worry, fear, and behavioral changes, allowing us to develop a tailored treatment plan.

Autism Spectrum Assessment: Our assessment for autism involves behavioral observations, caregiver interviews, and standardized tests. We evaluate social communication and repetitive behaviors, providing a comprehensive view of your child's strengths and challenges to create a personalized support plan.

Our Pediatric Psychological Assessment Services

Pediatric AdHD Testing

This service focuses on evaluating children for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It involves a comprehensive evaluation using standardized tools and clinical observations to identify symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The assessment helps in diagnosing ADHD and planning appropriate interventions.

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Evaluations for Autism

If you think your child may have autism spectrum disorder, it’s important to get an ASD evaluation to ensure your child receives proper care and resources. Our expert team has decades of experience diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in children in the Baltimore area.

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Learning Disability Testing

Worried your child might have a learning disability? At Bright Start Health, our expert team of psychologists provides comprehensive learning disability assessments to ensure your child's bright future in the Baltimore area.

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Our process

Initial Clinical Diagnostic Interview

We start with a 60-90 minute session to discuss your child’s medical history, family background, development, education, and social life. This initial meeting is scheduled on a different day than the testing session. During this time, we explain what to expect during the testing session and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Testing

Testing typically occurs in a single session lasting between 2-6 hours, depending on the child’s age, functioning level, and the reason for referral. We administer a customized set of tests tailored to address specific concerns. These tests may evaluate intelligence, academic skills, reading, math, writing, language, memory, visual skills, attention, executive functions, emotions, behavior, social skills, adaptive skills, and fine-motor functions. You or your child might need to complete questionnaires, and input from teachers or close individuals may also be gathered.

Feedback

In a 1-hour session, we review the test results, highlighting your child’s strengths and areas of concern. We discuss our diagnostic findings and offer practical recommendations. This session provides an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the results or our recommendations. Our goal is to ensure you fully understand the findings and feel supported in taking the next steps.

Report

After completing the evaluation, you will receive a detailed report. This report includes a summary of your child’s history, test results, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations. We only share this report with individuals to whom you have given written permission to receive it.

Why Choose Us for Child Psychological Assessment Services in Baltimore?

We tailor our psychological assessments to each child's unique strengths and weaknesses, gathering insights from parents, teachers, and others involved in their life. After testing, we discuss the results with parents, provide diagnoses if needed, and recommend strategies to support the child's growth.',

Our detailed reports guide other professionals working with your child, ensuring consistent and informed care. Our team of skilled child psychologists uses evidence-based methods to understand your child's emotions, behavior, and development, giving us a full picture of their needs for the most effective support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Psychological Evaluations

Hear from our Clients

The ADHD assessment was smooth and thorough. The team worked with our child's school and kept us updated. We now have a clear diagnosis and a plan to help our child. Highly recommend!

Anonymous

Parent

Our son was feeling really down. The team here helped us understand their feelings and provided great support.

Anonymous

Parent

The developmental evaluation gave us key insights. The specialists were patient and understanding.

Anonymous

Parent

Take the first steps to a brighter future, today!

Request a free consultation

We're here to help! Schedule a free consultation with one of our expert child psychologists. Share your concerns, ask questions, and discover how we can work together to support your child's well-being.