The Center for Testing at Konick & Associates: Your Path to Understanding

The Center for Testing at Konick and Associates specializes in comprehensive assessments rooted in the latest research and best-practice testing methods. This means we use procedures that are backed by research, and data is collected from multiple sources and from various settings to ensure that we obtain a complete understanding of the client.  This process allows us to take into account the “whole picture” when conducting an assessment.  Our goal is to offer you deep insights into cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and behavioral patterns to empower you or your loved one to thrive.

  • Naperville Neuropsychological Assessment
  • Naperville Neuropsych Evaluation
  • Naperville Neuropsych Testing

Why Choose Konick and Associates?

  • Expertise: Our team consists of experienced clinicians dedicated to understanding the complexities of the brain and behavior.
  • Research-based Approach: We utilize evidence-based practices to ensure our assessments are accurate, reliable, and tailored to your unique needs.
  • Comprehensive Evaluations: From cognitive abilities to emotional regulation, we delve deep into various aspects of functioning to provide a holistic understanding of your strengths and challenges.
  • Personalized Recommendations: Following the assessment, we provide detailed feedback and personalized recommendations to support your growth and development.

Types of Assessments We Offer

  • Psychoeducational Assessment: Identifying gifted students or specific learning challenges like dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), or dyscalculia (math).
  • Neurocognitive Evaluation: Assessing cognitive processing and intellectual functioning.
  • Neuropsychological Assessment: Delving into factors such as memory, attention, language, and social information processing.
  • Diagnostic Assessments: Formally diagnosing specific conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders & ADHD and co-occurring factors such as mood, learning, and anxiety.
  • Nonverbal Cognitive Assessments: Tailored for individuals with limited verbal abilities.
  • Personality & Social-Emotional Functioning Assessments: Evaluating personality traits, emotional responses, and social interactions to provide insights into one’s psychological well-being and interpersonal relationships.
  • Behavior Assessments: Analyzing an individual’s actions, emotions, and environmental factors to understand and address specific behaviors.
  • Executive Functioning Assessments:  Exploring abilities related to planning, organizing, problem-solving, attention, and self-regulation.
  • Adaptive Functioning Evaluation: Assessing functional status and life skills.
  • Complex Differential Diagnoses: Providing clarity on specific diagnostic presentations.
  • Functional Status Evaluation: Supporting individuals with developmental delays who are applying for disability or state benefits (SSDI).
  • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE): Offering support to families and school districts for special education placement, including behavior observations and special education services or consultation.

At Konick & Associates, we’re committed to unlocking every individual’s potential through comprehensive testing and evaluations.  Our thorough approach allows us to obtain nuanced insights into cognitive functioning, behavioral patterns, and emotional well-being. Whether it’s identifying learning challenges, diagnosing developmental disorders, or supporting educational placement decisions, our team is dedicated to guiding clients towards optimal outcomes.

Why Do I Need a Formal Assessment?

Seeking a formal assessment can provide invaluable insights and benefits for individuals facing cognitive, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Here’s why you may need a formal assessment:

  1. Accurate Diagnosis: Formal assessments conducted by trained professionals provide an accurate diagnosis of your condition or challenges. Whether it’s a mental health disorder, cognitive impairment, or neurological condition, a formal assessment can clarify the nature and severity of your symptoms.
  2. Tailored Treatment Planning: Once diagnosed, a formal assessment enables healthcare providers to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Whether it involves therapy, medication, cognitive rehabilitation, or behavioral interventions, an accurate assessment lays the foundation for effective treatment.
  3. Understanding Underlying Factors: Formal assessments help uncover the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms. Whether they stem from neurological abnormalities, psychological factors, environmental stressors, or a combination thereof, understanding the underlying issues can guide effective intervention and management.
  4. Monitoring Progress: Formal assessments serve as baseline measures against which progress can be tracked over time. By periodically reevaluating your cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, healthcare providers can assess treatment efficacy and make necessary adjustments to optimize outcomes.
  5. Access to Support Services: A formal assessment may be required to access support services, accommodations, or resources tailored to your specific needs. Whether it’s educational accommodations, workplace adjustments, or community-based services, a formal diagnosis often opens doors to essential support networks.
  6. Legal or Administrative Purposes: In some cases, a formal assessment may be necessary for legal or administrative purposes, such as disability claims or guardianship.
  7. Personal Empowerment: Lastly, undergoing a formal assessment can be empowering. It provides you with a better understanding of yourself, your strengths, and your challenges. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions, advocate for yourself, and take proactive steps towards improved well-being.

In summary, a formal assessment is not just a diagnostic tool; it’s a gateway to understanding, treatment, support, and empowerment. Whether you’re grappling with mental health concerns, cognitive difficulties, or behavioral challenges, seeking a formal assessment can be the first step towards reclaiming control of your life and achieving optimal functioning.

Preparing for Your Assessment

To make the most of your evaluation, consider the following tips:

  1. Get Adequate Rest: Ensure you get a good night’s sleep before the assessment to optimize your mental functioning.
  2. Stay Hydrated and Eat Nutritious Meals: On the day of the assessment, fuel your body and brain with healthy foods and plenty of water to ensure you have enough energy.
  3. Dress in comfortable clothing to help feel at ease.
  4. Manage Stress: Engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to help alleviate any pre-assessment anxiety.
  5. Arrive On Time: Plan to arrive at the designated time for your assessment to allow ample time for check-in and paperwork.
  6. Take Medication:  Remember to take prescribed medication on the day of your assessment.  Notify your clinician if you are on medications that make you drowsy or fatigued prior to the testing day.

Additional Steps to Prepare Your Child for an Assessment

Preparing your child for a neuropsychological or psychological assessment can help ease their anxiety and ensure a smoother, more accurate evaluation process. Here are some tips to help you and your child get ready:

  1. Explain the Purpose:
    • Use simple, age-appropriate language to explain the assessment. You can say, “The doctor wants to see how your brain works and how you think, learn, and feel.”
    • Provide reassurance.  Discourage any focus on right or wrong answers and highlight that the assessment is designed to help them.
  2. Describe What to Expect:
    • Let your child know that they will do various activities, such as answering questions, solving puzzles, drawing, and playing games.
    • Explain that the assessment might take a few hours and there will be breaks to rest and have snacks.
  3. Address Their Concerns:
    • Encourage your child to ask questions about the assessment and answer them honestly.
    • Allow your child to bring a comfort item, such as favorite toy, book, or blanket to help them feel more comfortable.
  4. Positive Reinforcement:
    • Offer plenty of encouragement and let your child know you believe in their ability to do well.
    • Plan a small reward or fun activity for after the assessment to give your child something to look forward to.
  5. Practice Relaxation Techniques:
    • Teach your child simple deep breathing exercises to help them stay calm if they feel anxious.
    • Encourage your child to visualize a positive experience during the assessment.

By preparing your child for their assessment, you can help reduce their anxiety and create a supportive environment that enables them to perform their best. Open communication, reassurance, and practical preparation are key to making the assessment process as smooth and stress-free as possible for your child.

More information on preparing your child for testing can be found here.

Your Journey to Understanding Begins Here

We are dedicated to providing compassionate, research-based evaluations to help you or your loved one achieve optimal mental, emotional, and behavioral health. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to partnering with you on this journey to understanding and growth, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Schedule an Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Psychological and neuropsychological assessments help us understand thinking, behavior, and emotions, but they have different focuses. Psychological testing usually includes a clinical interview, intelligence tests, and personality and behavior questionnaires. Neuropsychological evaluations are more detailed and often include neurocognitive and educational tests. The key difference is that neuropsychological testing looks closely at how brain function affects behavior and learning. While neuropsychological testing is generally more thorough than psychological testing, it is not necessary for all situations.

  • Neuropsychological assessments are beneficial for individuals of all ages who may be experiencing difficulties with memory, attention, learning, emotional regulation, or behavior. Common reasons for seeking an assessment include suspected cognitive decline, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism (ASD), learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, or neurodevelopmental disorders.

  • The duration of the assessment can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the specific tests administered. Typically, we aim to complete the assessment process within 3-5 weeks, but this can vary depending on the timeliness of insurance pre-authorization, your responsiveness in returning data, scheduling, and the complexity of the report. Two intake sessions are scheduled within the first week to obtain background information and a history of the presenting issue(s). Barring any insurance delays, in-person testing sessions are scheduled during the second week, which ranges from 4-8 hours over one to two days. We prefer to schedule testing during the daytime to reduce fatigue effects, so expect to take time off of work or school. Allow an additional 1-2 weeks for your clinician to complete the comprehensive report of the findings and treatment recommendations, which will be explained to you in a final feedback session.

  • Academic records, including standardized test scores, special education records, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 plans, and grade reports are important sources of data and should be shared prior to the start of testing. Previous psychological assessments and/or developmental screening reports are also very beneficial and include important background history that is useful for our assessment. Some tests may have already been administered by the school or another professional, and will not need to be repeated for your assessment.

  • To ensure a smooth evaluation process, please remember to bring:

    • A list of current medications
    • Eyeglasses or hearing aids, if applicable
    • Snacks or drinks, as testing sessions may be lengthy