Directions: Read The Following Student Post And Respond
Directions Read The Following Student Post And Respond Cite Referenc
Read The Following Student Post And Respond Cite Referenc
Paper For Above instruction
The student post discusses an assessment plan for a young child, Andy, who exhibits concerning behavioral and developmental symptoms. The proposed evaluation involves a comprehensive battery of tests to identify any neurological deficits or psychological issues, including intelligence, personality, and neurological assessments. Prior to testing, the student emphasizes the importance of collecting Andy’s medical, case, and psychosocial histories to contextualize the assessment findings.
Given Andy’s age of six, the student recommends employing the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) to measure cognitive functioning. Specifically, the Similarities subtest can evaluate abstract reasoning by asking how two objects are alike—an important measure in understanding cognitive processes related to abstract versus concrete thinking. For behavioral and emotional assessment, the student proposes the use of the Beck Youth Inventories-Second Edition (BYI-II) alongside the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). Notably, while the BYI-II is usually designed for children aged 7–18, its utility is justified here due to Andy’s social withdrawal, self-talking behaviors, and destructive tendencies, which suggest emotional difficulties. The mother can also contribute valuable behavioral insights through a PIC questionnaire, providing a more comprehensive view of Andy’s patterns (Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman, 2013).
The assessment of neurological functioning would include the Brunininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, designed to evaluate gross and fine motor skills such as running, balance, strength, and dexterity—areas in which Andy exhibits frequent falls. This testing can assist in identifying motor coordination issues potentially linked to neurological concerns (Cohen et al., 2013). For neuropsychological assessment, a suggestion is made to use the Reitan Indiana Neuropsychological Test Battery from the Halstead-Reitan Battery, which is appropriate for children aged 5–8. This test battery evaluates the presence of organic brain damage through multiple subtests, aligning with the goal of early identification of neurological impairments.
The post emphasizes the importance of ethical and professional standards in test administration, citing the American Educational Research Association (AERA., 2014). Proper conduct includes responsible interpretation of scores, safeguarding the test taker's privacy, and ensuring trained professionals conduct and interpret the tests to avoid misdiagnosis. Furthermore, test results should be integrated with other relevant information to provide accurate, holistic insights rather than relying solely on test scores (AERA, 2014).
Depending on the outcome of these assessments, the appropriate psychological specialty can be determined. A clinical psychologist tends to handle severe behavioral pathology, counseling psychologists focus on daily interactions and adjustments, and neuropsychologists investigate the nervous system's role in behavior. Accurate diagnosis and tailored intervention rely on a comprehensive evaluation process that incorporates test results, clinical interviews, observations, and case history review, ultimately guiding the referral to the most suitable psychological services for Andy.
References
- American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education. (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.
- Cohen, R. J., Swerdlik, M. E., & Sturman, E. D. (2013). Psychological testing and assessment: An introduction to tests and measurement (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
- Dayane De Leon. (Year). [Student post about assessment strategies].
- WPS. (2017). Brief Neuropsychological Cognitive Examination. Retrieved from [URL]