Testing & Assessment Services

What is an assessment and how does it differ from therapy?

A psychological assessment is a structured evaluation designed to answer specific questions about how someone is thinking, feeling, learning, or functioning. It may include interviews, standardized testing, and questionnaires, and results in a clear diagnosis (if applicable), recommendations and practical next steps.

Therapy, on the other hand, is an ongoing treatment process focused on growth, healing, and change over time. While therapy helps you work through challenges, an assessment provides clarity and directions — helping you better understand what’s going on and what supports may be most helpful moving forward.

What is Psychological Testing?

Psychological testing is a focused evaluation of emotional, social, and behavioral functioning. Through clinical interviews and standardized measures, it clarifies patterns of mood, behavior, coping, and personality to better differentiate diagnoses and guide treatment planning.

Unlike psychoeducational or neurocognitive evaluations, it does not assess learning or intellectual abilities. Instead, it provides diagnostic clarity and deeper insight into concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, personality dynamics, and other mental health conditions.

What is Psychoeducational Testing?

Psychoeducational testing is a comprehensive assessment of academic, cognitive, psychological, social and behavioral functioning. Families often seek psychoeducational testing to evaluate for ADHD, Autism or learning differences. These tests evaluate various domains such as executive functioning, attention, problem-solving, processing speed, academic knowledge, intellectual abilities, and social-emotional functioning. This type of evaluation can help inform school accommodations, psychological treatment planning, and behavior plans.

What is an Interdisciplinary Autism Evaluation?

An interdisciplinary evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of your child’s development by bringing together a psychologist and a speech-language pathologist to assess your child as a team. Together, they evaluate communication, play, social interaction, cognition, and problem-solving through developmental testing, language assessment, and a play-based autism evaluation.

This approach is ideal for families seeking clarity about Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental concerns and guidance for supports at home, school, or therapy — including ABA, speech therapy, or early intervention.

We proudly partner with Michelle McFarlin, MS, CCC-SLP, of The Social Communication Connection to provide interdisciplinary autism evaluations for children ages 18 months to 5 years.

What is Neuropsychological Testing?

Neuropsychological testing is a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. These tests are designed to evaluate various domains such as memory, attention, problem-solving, processing speed, language, and social-emotional skills. They help identify strengths and weaknesses in cognitive abilities and can provide insight into how these factors may affect daily life and functioning.

Why is Assessment Important?

Testing & Assessment is crucial for:

Accurate Diagnosis: Identifying cognitive or psychological conditions such as ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and mood disorders.
Treatment Planning: An accurate diagnosis informs the right kind of treatment at the right time which means that treatment can be more effective and efficient.
Monitoring Progress: Evaluating changes over time in cognitive functioning or effectiveness of treatment.

Who Can Benefit from an Assessment?

Children

Developmental Concerns: Children who are not meeting expected milestones such as language, motor skills, or play may benefit from an assessment to understand their developmental profile.
Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties: Assessments can help clarify the underlying causes of frequent tantrums, difficulty following directions, or trouble with transitions.
Learning and attention Challenges: Assessments can identify cognitive differences, as well as attentional or executive functioning difficulties, that may affect school performance.
Social and Communication Differences: Children who struggle to make friends, engage in play, or communicate effectively can benefit from an assessment to determine whether these differences are related to anxiety, language delays, ADHD, autism, selective mutism, or other social-communication needs.
School Planning and Support: Assessment results can guide recommendations for school accommodations, therapy services, and individualized education plans (e.g., IEPs, 504 plan) to help children thrive academically.

Adolescents

Learning Difficulties: Adolescents struggling with academic performance may benefit from testing to identify specific learning disabilities or cognitive strengths.
Behavioral Issues: Neuropsychological testing can help assess attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
Transition Planning: For those preparing for post-secondary education or vocational training, testing can guide accommodations and support strategies.

Young Adults

College Students: Students experiencing challenges in managing coursework may find it helpful to understand their cognitive profiles to seek appropriate support services.
Mental Health Concerns: Young adults facing anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues can gain insights into how these conditions affect cognitive functioning.

Middle-Aged Adults

Cognitive Changes: Individuals noticing cognitive decline or changes in daily functioning may seek testing to understand the underlying causes.
Workplace Performance: Testing can identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses that may impact job performance, helping with career planning and professional development.

Older Adults

Dementia Assessment: Neuropsychological testing is vital for diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, providing a clearer picture of cognitive decline.
Cognitive Rehabilitation: For older adults recovering from strokes or other brain injuries, testing can guide rehabilitation efforts and track recovery progress.
Quality of Life: Understanding cognitive changes can help individuals and families make informed decisions about care and support.

Common Referrals for Neuropsychological Assessment Services at BHD Include:

Psychoeducational Assessment for children, students, and adults.
ADHD, Autism and Learning Disorder assessments
Accommodations for testing, school, and work environments
Learning differences and accommodations
Pre/post-surgical evaluation
Cognitive/memory changes
Cognitive changes associated with menopause and aging in women
Post concussion evaluations
Dementia evaluations
Pre-transplant evaluations
Pre/post epilepsy surgery evaluations

How to get started:

1. Give us a call!

Call our office at 214-383-8145 or email us at info@behavioralhealthdallas.com.
You'll reach Amanda, our Office Manager and Intake Coordinator. She'll walk you through becoming a new patient by reviewing relevant practice information, answering questions, and identifying the best provider-match for your clinical and personal needs.
2. Complete the paperwork.

Once you’ve scheduled your intake appointment, you’ll receive an email invitation to our secure patient portal.
Your patient portal allows you to complete intake paperwork, access telehealth appointments, and view your upcoming sessions.
3. Attend your first session.

During your first appointment, your provider will ask you lots of questions and answer any of yours. Your first few sessions are a mutual evaluation to ensure you get a provider you feel is the best personality and style fit for you. Throughout therapy, your provider will gather background information, determine goals, and prepare a treatment plan to carry you throughout your therapy journey.