Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids

This authoritative guide gives parents the inside scoop on how psychological testing works and how to use testing to get the best help for their child. Two Harvard experts spell out the entire process of testing for dyslexia, ADHD, math and reading disorders, Asperger syndrome, depression, anxiety, and other common childhood problems. Parents learn what different tests actually measure and how to crack the code of jargon-filled reports, numerical scores, and educational recommendations. Also discussed are key qualifications to look for in evaluators, what kinds of testing schools are required to provide, and when to consider paying for private testing instead. Comprehensive and accessible, the book includes tips on making testing less stressful for children and loads of resources, FAQs, and examples.

Ellen Braaten, PhD, is Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Co-Director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at MGH, and Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School (HMS). She has been affiliated with MGH and HMS since 1998. Dr. Braaten is widely recognized for her expertise in pediatric neuropsychological and psychological assessment, particularly in the areas of assessing learning disabilities and attentional disorders. Her research and numerous publications focus on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, gender and psychopathology, intelligence, and assessment. She has published numerous books for professionals and parents, including Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up. Gretchen Felopulos, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist on the Massachusetts General Hospital staff in Child Psychiatry and in its Psychology Assessment Center. She is also on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and has a private practice in Lexington, Massachusetts. In addition to her specialization in pediatric neuropsychology and psychological testing, Dr. Felopulos provides psychotherapy to children as well as parental guidance. She is a primary supervisor for psychology interns studying the process of testing, and she teaches many seminars each year to interns and residents on the topic of children and testing.