Psychological Testing & Assessment
ADHD ASSESSMENT FOR CHILDREN, TEENS & ADULTS
In these assessments, our clinicians administer a variety of tests to evaluate attention and concentration problems in children, teens, and adults to first rule out problems that often mimic ADHD, such as depression and anxiety, which when present must be addressed separately. These assessments are also ideal for individuals who have received a rapid diagnosis of ADHD from a primary care physician, but have not yet consulted a mental health specialist. When these assessments confirm a diagnosis of ADHD, then an ADHD-specific treatment plan is drawn up and implemented by our clinicians.
Visit our ADHD Clinic to learn more.
LEARNING DISORDER EVALUATIONS
The early identification of academic underachievement in reading, mathematics, and written language is essential for children and teens experiencing difficulty in school. To maximize the success of children, ABH clinicians develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) so that they may receive appropriate support in the school environment.
We also work with adults experiencing learning problems to help them clarify the nature of their issues and assist them in getting the services they may need to succeed in college settings.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATIONS
When a variety of complex behavioral, cognitive, and emotional problems present themselves in an individual, careful clarification is necessary as a prerequisite to beginning appropriate psychological treatment. Systematically addressing each component problem allows ABH clinicians to clarify diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment for the patient, which has the highest likelihood of a positive outcome.
DEPRESSION & ANXIETY SCREENING
Sadness and fear are a part of the typical experience of most people at some point during life. Grief, loss, and bereavement too are very natural experiences, but sometimes each of these feeling states can spiral out of control and may be a component of a clinically significant depression or anxiety disorder. This screening assessment determines whether the feelings described here are atypical and if a clinical intervention is needed. Let ABH clinicians guide you toward a better understanding of these emotional issues.
ADDITIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS OFFERED
Intellectual Disability Assessment
Intellectual disability evaluations are geared toward assessing both cognitive impairment and difficulties in day-to-day adaptive functioning to rule out what was once called mental retardation, and now known more sensitively as intellectual disability. These assessments target a thorough understanding of the nature and origin of disabilities, rooted in early development, which compromise an individual’s ability to be autonomous, self-sufficient, and self-caring. Moreover, these assessments identify barriers to success, treatment and placement needs, and strategies for greater autonomy.
Dementia & Memory Loss Assessment
Our older and senior clients come to us, often referred by their physicians, concerned and worried about memory loss. Sometimes, it’s forgetting names, dates, or the location of a cherished landmark. Sometimes, it’s the inability to remember something factual, something autobiographical, or something procedural. Whether it be memory loss for something recent or remote, ABH clinicians are well- trained to clarify the differences between typical age-related cognitive decline and memory loss associated with the various dementias.
Parenting Assessment
There are many types of parenting assessments. At ABH, we specialize in pre-adoption parenting assessments and the assessment of parent-child attachment. Each of these assessments is typically sought after by couples who are planning to expand their families through adoption or fostering. Adoption and foster-care agencies typically require an evaluation of adults who plan to bring a child into their homes and we can provide these assessments. Because many foster children have unique needs, understanding the psychosocial needs of these children – often with multiple prior placements – is essential to future success. We have worked diligently with many agencies in and around Chicagoland for more than a decade toward this aim.
Bariatric Assessment
Candidates for bariatric weight-loss surgery must consult a psychologist to become approved as a candidate for this medical procedure. Bariatric surgery, albeit a successful tool in weight loss, is not without its risks nor is it a cure-all for obesity. This type of psychological assessment, which is a prerequisite for the surgery, evaluates a patient’s capacity to understand the benefits vs. the risks, the likelihood of compliance to the long-term treatment protocol, and the general mental and emotional wellness of the bariatric candidate.
Premarital Assessment
Committing to marriage in some faith-based communities requires pre-marital counseling and assessment to identify potential road blocks and to identify both strengths and compatibilities that ensure long-term success. ABH can provide these assessments to help maximize a rewarding and lasting union.