Psychological Evaluations

Targeted Populations: Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Referral Sources: Juvenile Court, Juvenile Probation Department, and/ or the Department of Child Services (DCS)

The Youth Opportunity Center offers Comprehensive Diagnostic and Evaluation services to eligible youth and families. These assessments are typically conducted on an outpatient basis, however we are also able to offer various assessments for children and adolescents who are currently placed at any of our Emergency Shelter, Residential Programs, or at the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center, as necessary. For all Diagnostic and Evaluation services, results of the evaluation, including diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations, are shared with the client, family, referring agent, and client’s treatment team (as necessary). Clients may be referred to YOC for any of the following types of assessments:

Clinical Interview and Assessment (CIA):

The purpose of a CIA is to provide a clinical snapshot of the referred client and to generate recommendations to address identified client needs. CIAs include a bio-psychosocial assessment, diagnosis (if applicable), and a summary of recommended services and service approach. As the result of a CIA, additional recommendations may be made regarding specific assessments (such as a Trauma Assessment or Psychological Testing).

Trauma Assessment:

The purpose of a Trauma Assessment is to determine the impact of the client’s trauma on their behavior, judgement, educational performance, and ability to connect with caregivers. A Trauma Assessment determines the appropriateness of a trauma-related diagnosis, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Trauma Assessments include the social and developmental history of the client, trauma history (including all forms of traumatic events experienced directly or witnessed by the client), the use of at least one standardized clinical measure to identify types and severity of symptoms the client has experienced (i.e., Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC], Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children [TSCYC], UCLA Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Index, Child Sexual Behavior Inventory [CSBI], Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents [CAPS-CA], etc.), integration of CANS scores, and recommendations for evidence-based trauma-informed treatment.

Psychological Testing:

Comprehensive Psychological Testing may be completed as a follow up to the CIA and requires a separate referral from the placing agent. Comprehensive Psychological testing includes a thorough review of records, clinical interviews with relevant parties (i.e., the client, their caregiver[s], and other members of the client’s treatment team such as therapists, CASA/GALs, teachers, etc.), and psychological test administration. Psychological Testing assesses the client’s cognitive functioning, academic abilities, extent and severity of psychological difficulties, personality characteristics, trauma history, and behavioral problems. The YOC’s Psychological Services team will determine the specific battery of tests to be administered based on a discussion with the referring agent regarding the needs of testing, presenting problems, age, reading level, and other clinical factors. Comprehensive Psychological Testing reports are provided to the referring agent and include the client’s in-depth background history, present level of functioning, diagnoses, recommendations regarding the least restrictive level of service needed, and specific evidence-based treatment recommendations. In addition, the report should provide answers to any specific questions posed by the referring agent.