Psychological Testing Services in Calabasas, CA

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

Gifted & Twice-Exceptional (2E) Testing in Calabasas, CA

What is Gifted and 2E Testing?

Are you wondering whether you or your child is gifted? Do you need gifted testing for a specialized school or program, or are you interested in qualifying for an organization such as Mensa? Or are there significant challenges occurring alongside areas of giftedness?

Giftedness generally refers to significantly advanced abilities in one or more areas. At MindWorks, our gifted evaluations primarily assess cognitive or intellectual giftedness through standardized IQ testing.

Twice-Exceptional (2E) refers to individuals who are gifted and also have a disability or neurodevelopmental condition, such as ADHD, a learning disorder, or autism. A 2E individual may demonstrate very high abilities in some areas while experiencing significant challenges in others.

For individuals with concerns about both giftedness and areas of difficulty, a more comprehensive evaluation can help identify the individual's unique pattern of strengths and needs.

What Does Testing Include?

Gifted Testing typically includes a standardized measure of cognitive ability (IQ). Additional testing may be included when required by a particular school, program, or organization.

Twice-Exceptional (2E) Evaluations are more comprehensive and are individualized based on the areas of concern. Testing may include:

• Cognitive functioning and IQ

• Academic skills

• Attention and executive functioning

• Learning and memory

• Emotional and behavioral functioning

• Parent and teacher questionnaires

• Autism assessment when appropriate

How Long Does Testing Take?

The length of testing depends on the type of evaluation. Gifted-only testing is typically more focused and requires less testing time than a comprehensive 2E evaluation.

A comprehensive 2E evaluation may include approximately 5–6 hours of one-on-one testing, typically divided across 1–3 appointments. In addition to testing, we review relevant records and questionnaires and take time to score, interpret, and integrate the results.

For comprehensive evaluations, a feedback appointment is generally scheduled approximately 2–3 weeks after testing is completed to discuss the findings and recommendations.

What Is Included In a Comprehensive 2E Evaluation?

Initial Intake: After our initial consultation, a comprehensive intake will be conducted with the individual (and parent, if needed) to fully understand the 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 individual.

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 when appropriate.

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 and neurodevelopmental functioning, when appropriate

Evaluation and Interpretation: After the testing and evaluation is complete, 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, 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 professionals 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.