Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in written communication skills and in the administration and interpretation of at least one tool from each of the two major categories of tests. A pre-practicum field component is required. This course explores personality assessment measures, particularly those instruments appropriate for use with children and adolescents. Self-report inventories, rating scales, behavioral observations, projective techniques, interviewing, history taking, and measures of adaptive behavior are discussed. Students gain experience in administration, integration, interpretation, and report writing of personality assessment.
Emphasis is given to the assessment of behavior disorders, depression, anxiety, and autism.
Topics include ethical, professional, and legal aspects of assessment as well as issues in cross-cultural assessment and cultural bias in testing. A pre-practicum field component is required. This course introduces the use of the clinical interview in both clinical and educational settings. This course examines neuropsychology, the study of the brain and nervous system functions, in relation to adaptive behavior and learning, from a developmental viewpoint. The course looks at organismic versus specific localization theories about normal and dysfunctional conditions that affect moving, sensing, perceiving, assimilating, recalling, and expressing through diagnostic-prescriptive studies.