Commonly-Offered Test Batteries for Private Practice?

[foreverbull]

For those of you who provide psychological testing (private practice or otherwise), what kind of batteries do you offer and how did you decide on the tests that comprise them?

I know there are lots of neurospsych folks out there who do neuropsych testing, but I'm curious about the testing that private practitioners can offer outside of that realm.

Do people hold the tests that comprise the batteries as a closely-guarded secret or is it that there just isn't any standard battery out there for Learning Disabilities/ADHD, personality assessment, etc.?

I plan to seek consultation/supervision as needed from local psychologists eventually, but thought I'd check here first since you are less likely to be in competition with me for business.

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[WisNeuro]

No standard adhd/ld battery. Differs by area and also different universities require different tests.

 

[PsyDr]

For those you probably want an IQ, achievement, emotional, and attention measure. Measure whatever is of concern at least twice. Select tests with good psychometrics.

A thing that wasn't taught (at least to me when I was paying attention), is "community standard of care". This is one of the prongs of a malpractice suit. Basically means "are you doing what everyone else in the area (which can be defined weirdly) is doing?". Good thing to learn about what your colleagues are doing in the area.

 

[deleted760483]

I would check with local schools and universities to see what instruments they consider valid for assessing learning disabilities. Most have specific lists of approved tests and that can help inform your purchasing choices. Personally I have the WISC, WAIS, MMPI-2, MMPI-A, CAARS, Conners, and MBMD and some combination of those + interviews and record review covers everything for me. I work with 2 neuropsychologists and an autism specialist so the referrals that get filtered to me are usually very general. ID, LD, pre-surgical evals, and general diagnostic questions primarily.

 

[Existenz]

For ADHD you really don't need testing to diagnose other than to rule out other problems. In those cases the eval would look like a neuropsychology eval and or learning dis eval. Learning dis evals would incorporate intellectual functioning test, achievement test, and neuropsychological assessments. Personality/psych assessments would focus on structured interviews and MMPI,PAI,MCMI, possibly some projectives.

 

[psych.meout]

For ADHD you really don't need testing to diagnose other than to rule out other problems. In those cases the eval would look like a neuropsychology eval and or learning dis eval. Learning dis evals would incorporate intellectual functioning test, achievement test, and neuropsychological assessments. Personality/psych assessments would focus on structured interviews and MMPI,PAI,MCMI, possibly some projectives.

Really?

 

[WisNeuro]

There are still some old schoolers who throw out some projectives in testing. Always makes me giggle when I see a house, tree, person or other nonsense in a neuro report.

 

[Existenz]

There are still some old schoolers who throw out some projectives in testing. Always makes me giggle when I see a house, tree, person or other nonsense in a neuro report.

Hehe, depends what coast you are on too; I trained at VAs on both sides. A few years ago, we used the Rorschach in a comprehensive battery for a pt with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

 

[WisNeuro]

Perhaps true, I've never lived/worked on the East Coast. I do get the impression that they tend to hold on to some techniques way past their prime, more out of tradition than any actual clinical usefulness.

 

[LETSGONYR]

You might also check out where you get the most bang for your buck.

For example... the KTEA-3 and WIAT are both commonly used academic batteries. IMO, the KTEA is better at capturing small differences in skills, as well as measuring the lower end of the academic spectrum (and has two forms), but has a more limited age range and takes longer to administer. The WJ-IV is another option and has academics, cognitive, and language tasks. Probably don't need all three... which one is best for your needs?

Let's say you picked the KTEA... well that has rapid naming, semantic fluency, and listening comprehension tasks as well. Do you want to use those, or would you prefer an alternative measure?

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[foreverbull]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

You might also check out where you get the most bang for your buck.

For example... the KTEA-3 and WIAT are both commonly used academic batteries. IMO, the KTEA is better at capturing small differences in skills, as well as measuring the lower end of the academic spectrum (and has two forms), but has a more limited age range and takes longer to administer. The WJ-IV is another option and has academics, cognitive, and language tasks. Probably don't need all three... which one is best for your needs?

Let's say you picked the KTEA... well that has rapid naming, semantic fluency, and listening comprehension tasks as well. Do you want to use those, or would you prefer an alternative measure?

Sent from my SM-G930V using SDN mobile

Based on a nearby university's accommodations requirements, the Woodcock-Johnson is preferred for achievement and cognitive abilities, so I'd likely pick the WJ-IV set to be in line with local practice, but I'm planning to talk to a colleague soon about local standards.

I'll give an update if anyone wants my final lists once I settle on what tests I will offer, but it might be several months away since I won't be offering assessments right away and am just researching, currently.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Oh...WJ...many fond memories and a few cringeworthy ones. Dr. Woodcock is still probably my fav. psychologist I've met..we bonded over brain dissection and martinis, albeit not at the same time.