Blog Post #1: When to Seek an Evaluation
Parenting is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding jobs, but there is no guidebook! As a parent, you are making decisions everyday to help your child grow and develop in a healthy manner. We all experience a wide variety of emotions and your child may go through phases of sadness, irritability, anxiety (to name a few) which can be developmentally appropriate. However, there are times when it can be difficult to recognize if it is temporary or is a sign of a bigger issue like a mental health or developmental concern. These are moments when an evaluation can be helpful to identify if your child is experiencing concerns such as autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, anxiety, ADHD, depression, etc. At Mindful Psychology & Wellness, I provide comprehensive evaluations for individuals ages 2 and up using norm-referenced, standardized tests. I prefer comprehensive evaluations because it provides us with more data so that you can have all the information needed to make informed decisions. As a child develops they are rapidly changing and a holistic approach allows me to gather information from multiple sources. The assessment provides answers to numerous questions and measures cognitive functioning (IQ), academic achievement, adaptive functioning, social skills, emotional domains, behavioral concerns, and personality testing.
Seek help through a comprehensive psychological or neuropsychological evaluation if any of these apply for your child:
- Sudden behavioral/emotional change persists for several weeks to months
- Your child’s personality has drastically changed
- Distress causes difficulties with relationships or school functioning
- Your child’s teacher is voicing concerns
- Sleep or appetite significantly changes and a medical reason has been ruled out
- Your child appears overly anxious, hyperactive, inattentive, or sad
- Accommodations are being requested for your child due to educational needs
- Your child is transitioning to college or the workforce and you would like more information
- You notice that your child has struggles in multiple areas of life
A comprehensive evaluation provides you with answers and determines if your child is on track with development or if a mental health concern is occurring. Early identification of any concerns can assist with knowing which interventions are best suited for your child. Getting answers earlier allows you to begin supporting your child in ways that help them thrive emotionally, build confidence, and feel more like themselves again. An evaluation also provides great insight into how your child learns and thinks with an emphasis on strengths and weaknesses. Evaluations are so much more than a diagnosis. They provide you as the parent with a comprehensive roadmap that gives tailored recommendations and next steps.
I specialize in comprehensive evaluations because I like to guide parents through the test data and the why behind concerns. With information, we are able to make informed decisions and seek the appropriate next steps. I would love to be a part of your journey and guide you through a psychological or neuropsychological evaluation. Let's find answers together. Call Mindful Psychology & Wellness at (817)631-4786 or email info@mindpsych.org to set up a consultation call with Dr. Kroes. I serve the DFW area with an office in North Richland Hills.