Once a child has been accepted for services at VIP, the clinical team may feel the need to get a better picture of the child's development.

Psychological assessments are recommended for children who present with clinically significant psychological or behavioral problems that impair their functioning in the family environment, school setting, or larger community. Assessments can be used to assess various domains of functioning, including developmental, cognitive, executive functioning, language, sensorimotor, and socio-emotional-behavioral functioning.

The goal of testing is to help identify a child’s strengths and deficits across domains of functioning, and provide targeted recommendations to improve the child’s functioning. Additionally, psychological assessments can be helpful for psycho-diagnostic clarification, if there is uncertainty.

The psychologists at VIP will review referrals for psychological testing. The assessment process will include a review of records, interviews with the child and caregiver, possible consultation with teachers, social workers, therapists, administration of psychological measures to child, and caregiver questionnaires.

In most cases, the child will be seen on 3-4 occasions to complete a full battery of testing. Testing is preferable when completed across several sessions, as this allows the psychologist to see the child’s functioning on various occasions.