ADHD Archives | EdPsyched

IQ Part 5: Processing Speed

Welcome to the final installment of my deep dive into the IQ. We have already looked at the first four components: Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning and Working Memory. Today’s post will examine Processing Speed. As a reminder, I’ve been using the WISC-V for the basis of these posts. The WISC-V is a cognitive assessment for children ages 6-16. However, the WIAT-IV, which is used for adults 17 and older, also has a Processing Speed index. The subtests used to obtain the Processing Speed index are almost identical on both assessments. What is Processing Speed? When describing Processing Speed [...]

By Adam Creasy|May 14th, 2021|Accommodations, ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder|0 Comments

IQ Part 4: Working Memory

After closely studying our first three components of the IQ (Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, and Fluid Reasoning), today’s post will dive into Working Memory and how it impacts one’s cognitive profile. Once again, I am using the WISC-V as the basis for this breakdown. The WISC-V is administered to children ages 6-16. However, the WAIS-IV, which is used to assess adults, also contains a Working Memory index score. Thus, the following information pertains to pretty much all age ranges. What is Working Memory? When I write my reports, I describe Working Memory as: the ability to take in, retain, and [...]

By Adam Creasy|April 19th, 2021|Academic Mentoring, ADHD, Evaluation, Learning Disabilities|0 Comments

IQ Part 3: Fluid Reasoning

Welcome back to our deep dive into IQ and its various components. Previously we examined Verbal Comprehension and Visual Spatial and what they both have to do with one’s overall intelligence. Understanding these domains gives us a good insight into an individual’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, which can set a student up for success down the road. In today’s post we will look at Fluid Reasoning. As a reminder, I am using the WISC-V for my basis of these posts. The WISC-V is administered to younger students (ages 6-16). The WAIS-IV is a similar assessment that is used to test [...]

By Adam Creasy|March 10th, 2021|ADHD, Evaluation, Learning Disabilities|0 Comments

How is IQ Calculated?

Several months ago I wrote a post titled, Can My IQ Change? I laid out the history of the IQ test and concluded that one’s IQ can indeed change over time. But the question remains: How do we calculate one’s IQ? Today’s post is the beginning of a series that will dive deeper into cognitive testing and how I use it in my evaluations. For most clinicians, there are a few standard tests that are used in neuropsychological evaluations to derive one’s IQ. The two most commonly used are: Wechsler Intelligence Scales Woodcock-Johnson Both assessments include numerous subtests that, when [...]

By Adam Creasy|October 30th, 2020|ADHD, Evaluation, Learning Disabilities|0 Comments

Remote Testing for ADHD and Dyslexia

We are now nine weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has completely changed the way we do business, socialize, learn, teach, and pretty much everything else. While many states have begun to re-open businesses, they are still operating in limited conditions, particularly those involving in-person meetings. Neuropsychological testing is the basis for most diagnoses of learning disorders and ADHD. Typically I conduct evaluations in-person in one session that lasts about 2-3 hours. But in early March that option went out the window. At the same time, private school admissions season was ramping up. Many admissions offices require updated neuropsychological [...]

By Adam Creasy|May 20th, 2020|Accommodations, ACT, ADHD, Evaluation, Learning Disabilities, SAT|0 Comments

The Transition to Online Learning

Like just about everyone else in the United States (and most parts of the world), I’m currently on lockdown in my house. I’m hopeful we can get back to normal in the not-too-distant future, but until then, I’m learning to adapt to this new reality. The outbreak of COVID-19 has presented some unique challenges for all of us, and I’m hopeful that you and your family are doing ok during this time. On March 23 our school made the transition to online learning for at least 2 weeks. That 2-week period was eventually extended to 3 weeks, and recently we [...]

By Adam Creasy|April 3rd, 2020|Academic Mentoring, Academics, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Organization, Social Emotional Learning|0 Comments

Is ADHD Really on the Rise?

The other day I was meandering around online and came across an article on USA Today. The headline was: A new report shows that diagnosis rates for ADHD have risen 30% in 8 years. The article is based on a comprehensive study by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and utilizes data from actual diagnosis rates instead of self-report surveys. Consequently it’s one of the more reliable studies on ADHD rates ever conducted. The overall findings, as summarized in the article, are: ADHD diagnoses have risen more than 30% in the past 8 years Middle school students are the most [...]

By Adam Creasy|April 18th, 2019|Academic Mentoring, ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Evaluation|0 Comments

What’s in Your ADHD Report

Awhile back I wrote a post on the process for getting a psycho-educational report done for your son or daughter. Simply put it involves three steps: an intake, assessment, and feedback session. This is a standard format for most psychologists. However, one question I get quite frequently when I meet with parents is: How do you determine if my son or daughter has ADHD or a learning disability? This is a great question! And I often times do not consider that parents may actually want to know the nuts and bolts of the evaluation. While psychologists and LPAs are free [...]

By Adam Creasy|August 11th, 2018|Accommodations, ADHD, Evaluation, Learning Disabilities|0 Comments

End of School Year Checklist

The calendar just turned to May, and that means school is in the homestretch. However, before we start planning long days by the pool or days spent at fun summer camps, there is still a lot of work to do. Many of us still have quite a bit of school work and assignments left. With final exams coming up for many students, there are still many points left out there to boost your grades. So as we count down the days to that very last one, here is a checklist to keep you on the right track for academic success. [...]

By Adam Creasy|May 3rd, 2018|Academic Mentoring, Academics, ADHD, College Application, Evaluation, Learning Disabilities, Study Skills|0 Comments

Summer ADHD Evaluation

A few months ago I began offering full neuro-psych evaluations for ADHD and other learning disabilities as part of my service. Since that time my schedule has been filling quickly. Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and that means there is a growing number of students who potentially need evaluations. Even though it’s only mid April, I’m already looking ahead to summer and scheduling evaluations for June, July and August. Although many of us associate neuro-psychological testing with school, summer is actually a perfect time to have your student evaluated. Today’s post will discuss [...]

By Adam Creasy|April 16th, 2018|ADHD, Evaluation, Learning Disabilities|0 Comments