Mental Health Corner

Mental Health Corner Psychological Testing

By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman

Psychological testing is a complex field that is based on the field of psychometrics, which is the science of measuring mental capacities and processes. There is a lot of confusion about the purpose and usefulness of this kind of testing, and in this brief article, we will attempt to partially demystify the process. We will not discuss the differences between the various types of testing (such as psychoeducational testing vs. neuropsychological testing). Rather, we will focus on the general concept of testing and how it is integrated into proper diagnosis and assessment.

First of all, we must state up front that a psychological evaluation cannot provide the full picture of an individual’s challenges. We all know that life is very complex and therefore a standardized test administered in a laboratory setting cannot possibly capture the essence of what is going on in real life. However, tests can be essential in providing vital data about specific abilities and cognitive functions that can provide invaluable information about how to proceed.

For example if all we know about a child is that he is very spacy during class, does not seem to understand the material, and is not reading on grade level, we really have no idea as to the possible causes. Perhaps he has ADHD. Maybe he has dyslexia. Possibly, he is suffering from depression due to a very difficult home situation. The list goes on and on. Without knowing the causes for a child’s difficulties, we might be wasting time and energy on non-productive interventions.

This is where testing can be pivotal. After an extensive interview and a fact-gathering process, the psychologist will order a specific battery of tests that will focus on precise abilities and functions. The data from the various tests can be synthesized into a diagnosis.

Tests can be administered to measure memory, language, spatial perception, attention, problem-solving, motor and sensory abilities, to name just a few. If someone scores very well on a specific test, then that can be ruled out as a possible causal factor. If the score is very low, then this piece of data will be useful in diagnosis.

In summary, a good evaluation should include the following components: • A comprehensive battery of carefully selected tests that are relevant to this individual. • The psychologist administering the test should be able to present a synthesis and interpretation of all of the information provided by the various tests in order to

create a holistic profile of the individual. • The psychologist should be able to provide specific recommendations that are linked to the data provided by the testing.

One point that you must bear in mind that although the individual tests themselves are valid and reliable, there is a tremendous art and skill in deciding which tests to administer and how to interpret and synthesize the data that the tests provide. It is therefore very important to learn about the track record of the individual psychologist or clinic before investing in psychological testing.

This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi Yisrael Slansky is director of the Baltimore branch of Relief. He can be contacted at 410-448-8356 or at yslansky@ reliefhelp.org

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