Psychological Testing Services in Calabasas, CA

We provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults utilizing neuropsychological tests

What is Gifted and 2E Testing?

Giftedness and Twice Exceptionality are terms used to understand ones unique and complex learning profiles.  Are you or your child gifted? Trying to get into a specialized private school where gifted testing is needed? Or maybe trying to get into Mensa? Do you have some challenges alongside your gifted abilities that may be affecting you? 

Giftedness referrers to an individual who demonstrate a high level of aptitude in one or more areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic or leadership capacities. These individuals perform at a significantly higher level than their peers, and may benefit from resources, schools, or educational plans that meet their high level of functioning. At MindWorks we usually can only assess for cognitive giftedness.

Twice Exceptional (2E) students are those who are gifted but also struggle in one or more areas at a significant level. These students may have very high potentials in one or more areas, while simultaneously facing challenges in learning disorders, neurodevelopment disorders such as ADHD/Autism, or more. Many children who are gifted do have uneven development and or emotional and social challenges that meet the requirement for 2E.

What Does Testing Include?

Giftedness and 2E

• Standardized test of intelligence/IQ

• Teacher Recommendations

• Academic testing

• Executive functioning/ADHD-Many gifted students have uneven executive functioning development

• Parent and behavioral backgrounds

• Emotional skills

• Autism may be added as needed

How Long Does Testing Take?

While testing may only take a few hours with the participate, we will be communicating with you, your child, teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, and other service providers for your child or you (with your permission).  We will take time to prepare and analyze a customized evaluation for your child and their needs. Based on test results, interview insights and findings, you will receive a comprehensive report summarizing and explaining our findings, and providing individualized recommendations for strategic school accommodations and home-support strategies that will strengthen your child’s development. 

On average the full evaluation will take 1-2 weeks of testing (5-6 hours of person-to-person testing broken down between 1-3 sessions) and a final feedback where the results will be discussed with you 2-3 weeks after the assessment is completed.

What Is Included In Each Evaluation?

Initial Intake: After our initial consultation, a comprehensive intake will be conducted with the individual (and parent, if needed) to fully understand individual’s needs. These initial series of questionnaires will help create the testing battery that will later be used for the series of one-on-one tests. Contact with doctors, teachers, schools, therapists and psychiatrists (with your permission) are also utilized to help understand the “full picture” of the patient.

Full Review: A full review of psychological, educational and past testing records is conducted.

Observations: An observation of the child at school may be conducted from time to time.

One-on-One Tests: The individual will meet one-on-one with a psychologist in person. During the "testing" appointments, we use the testing battery created in intake to administer a variety of questions, puzzles, word games, pictures and drawings, and stories, as well as some school-like tasks, such as reading and math, to investigate how the student thinks and feels in different settings. Many of our sessions may range from one to four hours, with several short breaks, depending on the individual's energy level. Tests will examine one’s:

• General cognitive and mental strengths and weaknesses including a full IQ test.

• Academic skills in reading, writing, math, oral language and fine motor skills.

• ADHD concerns and full executive functioning skills.

• Memory skills.

• Emotional and behavioral concerns

• Autism/neurodevelopmental skills (if requested)

Evaluation and Interpretation: After the testing and evaluation is complete, the Dr. Salanga will score, interpret, and integrate the information into a comprehensive written report. The report will include background information, test scores, psychologist interpretations, tailored recommendations to better help the individual, and referrals to any needed specialists.

Report and Feedback Discussion: After testing, evaluation, and reports are complete, the Dr. Salanga will meet one-on-one with the individual and/or parent to discuss the report and answer any questions. This feedback may also be given to other professions such as the teacher if desired, and many times Dr. Salanga will meet briefly with the child to go over their strengths and weaknesses as well. A copy of the full report will be given after the feedback appointment is complete.