Comprehensive Psychological Evaluations at MCG

We want you to succeed at MCG.  We work with children, adolescents, and adults to determine the evaluation questions. Our evaluations create a comprehensive picture of the examinee by elucidating their unique learning, social, and emotional profiles. The examinee's strengths and weaknesses are identified clearly, which allows us to create a plan for their success.  We believe you or your child can have a happy, fulfilling life; this is not dependent on learning, processing or communication difficulties. Our doctorate-level neuropsychologists evaluate examinee's and explain evaluation results in jargon-free language.  We will highlight strengths and weaknesses and collaboratively create a plan based on the results.   We will set concrete goals and make relevant recommendations to attain them.

An evaluation has six primary parts:

Initial Consultation, Information Gathering, Evaluation, Giving Feedback, Implementating Recommendations, & Follow-up

1. Initial Consultation: We meet with the examinee and/or their guardian* in order to discuss the primary concerns, collect relevant background information, and collaboratively create specific goals for the evaluation.

2. Information Gathering: We contact other professionals and relevant parties working with the examinee in order to develop a thorough understanding of them.  This may include the examinee's: psychotherapist, psychiatrist, education providers, physician, etc. 

3. Evaluation: The formal evaluation includes the administration of a uniquely tailored test battery and a clinical interview. Specific psychometric and psychological tests are chosen and administered to the examinee to assess all of the primary aspects of cognitive functioning, as well as emotional and personality characteristics and behavior, if necessary.

4. Giving Feedback: The feedback session is a time when the evaluator meets with the examinee and/or their guardian* to discuss the evaluation results and review recommendations. We work together in this meeting to develop a specific plan based on the information provided by the evaluation. We will also provide age-appropriate feedback to the examinee to help them understand how this information is relevant and maybe be useful to their life.  Finally, if appropriate, the evaluator will consult with other professionals who may be working with the examinee (see #2 above).

5. Recommendations: The central component of the evaluation process is to generate recommendations based on the evaluation results, and implement them appropriately.  This is a unique process for each examinee. Drs. Solodyna and Treiber take an active approach to helping the examinee and/or their guardians identify and implement the recommended strategies, supports, and resources.  

6. Follow-up: After the feedback session, a follow-up meeting is often scheduled two to three months later.  This is a time to discuss and assess progress and to review and update recommendations.