Psychological Assessment & Testing
Understanding the Whole Person
Comprehensive psychological assessment helps us understand an individual’s unique combination of strengths and challenges in order to better guide development, education, and treatment. Whether you’re seeking answers about giftedness, learning differences, ADHD, autism, or other concerns, our evaluations provide clarity and actionable insights.
Why Seek Assessment?
Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses
A common myth is that people are either “good at everything” or struggle across the board. The reality is far more nuanced. Understanding under what conditions a person learns well and what conditions tend to shut them down is invaluable. Finding out that someone is extremely talented in one area but fairly average in another helps parents and individuals develop talents without unnecessary pressure in areas of lesser strength.
Identifying Learning Challenges
Assessment can identify obstacles like perfectionism, low frustration tolerance, risk avoidance, or specific learning disabilities. Once identified, we can create exercises and plans to overcome these challenges. Most people feel relief when they discover more about why they or their child “acts the way they do.”
Understanding Unusual or Problematic Behaviors
If you or your child struggles with angry outbursts, anxiety, social difficulties, attention problems, or other concerns, evaluation can help pinpoint where the problems come from and how to address them effectively. Our psychologists have experience discerning the interaction between cognition, learning differences, and emotional problems, creating treatment and coaching plans that are effective in changing symptoms and making life work better.
Supporting Educational Planning
Assessment results provide valuable information for IEP (Individualized Education Program) and 504 Plan development, helping schools provide appropriate accommodations and support.
Clarifying Diagnostic Questions
If you’re wondering whether ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another condition might explain the challenges you’re facing, comprehensive assessment provides answers and direction.
What We Assess
Our comprehensive evaluations can address a wide range of questions, including:
Giftedness and Twice-Exceptional Profiles
We specialize in identifying giftedness and understanding twice-exceptional (2E) individuals—those who are both gifted and have learning differences or neurodivergent traits.
ADHD and Executive Function
Assessment for attention difficulties, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and executive function challenges including planning, organization, and working memory.
Learning Disabilities
- Dyslexia – Reading difficulties and decoding challenges
- Dysgraphia – Written expression and handwriting difficulties
- Dyscalculia – Mathematical learning challenges
- Nonverbal Learning Disabilities – Challenges with visual-spatial skills and social understanding
Autism Spectrum
Evaluation for autism spectrum characteristics, including social communication differences, sensory sensitivities, and pattern-based thinking.
Processing Differences
- Auditory processing
- Visual processing
- Processing speed
- Working memory
Emotional and Behavioral Concerns
Assessment of anxiety, depression, mood regulation, anger management, and other emotional or behavioral challenges.
Speech and Language
Language development, articulation, pragmatic language, and communication skills.
Our Assessment Process
Not Cookie-Cutter
We do not take a cookie-cutter approach to assessment at our center. We design all evaluations to meet needs discovered in initial conversations with our clients. It’s not about a number or diagnosis—it’s about creating a useful plan of action.
PhD-Level Expertise
Assessments are always performed by a PhD-level licensed psychologist. The same person who administers the testing will give you feedback and write your report. We find that observations made during testing often lead to asking more finely tuned questions during evaluation.
Building Therapeutic Relationships
We use the testing process to build a therapeutic relationship that can accelerate the development of coaching or treatment plans. Our clients tell us they like staying with one person throughout the process.
The Assessment Process Step-by-Step
1. Initial Meeting
When it’s time for the assessment, we meet with the person being tested (and parents if they are a child or teen). We gather a detailed health, educational, and social/emotional history and articulate the questions being asked or the goals of the testing.
2. Testing Sessions
Testing may take from two hours to six or seven hours, depending upon the question being asked. For longer testing, we prefer to schedule two or more sessions to see an individual on more than one day. If we think there are factors interfering with a good measurement (fatigue, upset, etc.), we will stop the testing and reschedule. Our goal is to get the most accurate evaluation possible.
3. Scoring and Analysis
After testing is complete, the psychologist scores the tests, reviews interview and test observation notes, and formulates a clinical description (including clinical designations where appropriate).
4. Feedback Session
We meet with you for feedback, including answering your questions, providing additional reading, and giving recommendations for “the next step.”
5. Written Report
You receive a comprehensive written report detailing findings, diagnoses (if applicable), and recommendations.
6. Ongoing Support
For some clients, this consultation is enough for now. Others ask us to help provide services that were suggested as part of the evaluation. Either way, we remain available for ongoing phone questions and consultation regarding your evaluation.
Types of Assessments We Offer
Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation
Our most thorough assessment includes cognitive testing, achievement testing, attention and executive function measures, social/emotional assessment, and behavioral inventories. This evaluation addresses multiple questions and provides a complete picture of functioning.
Psychoeducational Evaluation
Typically includes an interview, IQ test (such as the WISC-V), comprehensive achievement test (such as the Woodcock Johnson Test of Achievement), social/emotional behavioral inventory, feedback session, treatment plan, and report. This package includes between 8-10 hours of clinical service.
Fee: $2000
Targeted Assessment
If you do not require a comprehensive evaluation but are seeking information about a particular problem, your psychologist will review the assessment recommendation with you and quote a fee at that time. Many problems can be assessed in two to four hours.
Typical fee: $190 per clinical hour
ADHD Evaluation
If you need an evaluation for ADHD and have not had a comprehensive assessment done recently, a longer assessment will be recommended to rule out other factors and provide a complete picture.
Autism Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation for autism spectrum characteristics, including standardized diagnostic instruments, observation, and clinical interview.
Gifted Testing for School Programs
We provide testing for school gifted and talented programs, GATES programs, and private school admissions.
Common Assessment Instruments
We use best-in-class, evidence-based testing instruments selected based on your individual needs. Common tests include:
Intelligence Tests
- WISC-V – Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition
- WISC-IV – ECAA (Extended Composite of Ability Assessment)
- WPPSI-IV – Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
- SB-5 – Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition
- AABL – Admissions Assessment for Beginning Learners
- CogAT – Cognitive Abilities Test
Achievement Tests
- Woodcock Johnson Test of Achievement
- WIAT – Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
- And others selected based on need
Specialized Assessment Tools
- ADOS-2 – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
- Conners Rating Scales – ADHD assessment
- Various executive function, memory, and processing measures
- Social/emotional and behavioral inventories
Fees and Insurance
Insurance Coverage
We accept insurance in instances where there is coverage. Frequently, testing is only covered when there is a question of a psychological diagnosis. Testing for giftedness alone may not be covered, though testing for learning disabilities including ADHD is often covered. Feel free to discuss this with us to determine your coverage.
Self-Pay Options
All of our services are typically covered by Health Savings Accounts (HSA). We also accept credit cards and can arrange payment plans.
Sliding Scale
We offer sliding scale testing with demonstrated financial need. Please call and discuss your situation to see how we may assist you.
Fee Transparency
We believe in being upfront about costs. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss the type of assessment recommended and provide clear fee information before proceeding.
Who Conducts the Assessments?
All assessments are performed by PhD-level licensed psychologists with extensive experience in psychological testing. We are specialists in testing bright, gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan.
Getting Started
Schedule Your Initial Consultation
Call or text us at 502-314-8835 or email Contact@louisvillegiftedpsychology.com to schedule a brief initial meeting. We’ll discuss your concerns, answer questions, and determine what type of assessment would be most helpful.
What to Bring
We’ll provide specific instructions when you schedule, but generally you should bring:
- Any previous evaluations or educational records
- Current medications list
- Questions or concerns you want addressed
- For children: favorite snacks and comfort items
After the Assessment
You’ll receive a comprehensive written report and have the opportunity to discuss findings in detail. We’ll provide clear recommendations for next steps, whether that’s therapy, coaching, educational accommodations, or other support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does testing take?
Anywhere from 2 to 7 hours, depending on the questions being asked. We often break longer assessments into multiple sessions.
How soon will I get results?
Typically within 2-3 weeks of completing testing, we’ll schedule your feedback session and provide your written report.
Can adults be tested?
Yes, we assess children, teens, and adults.
Do you test for specific school programs?
Yes, we provide testing for gifted programs, GATES programs, and private school admissions.
Will testing help with school accommodations?
Yes, our comprehensive reports provide the documentation needed for IEP and 504 Plan development.
We are psychologists familiar with testing gifted, exceptionally gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent individuals. We provide comprehensive psychological assessment services throughout the Louisville, Kentucky area.
