Psychological Assessment: Case Study Project

Background Information

This case study project will allow you to practically demonstrate your knowledge of the principles of psychological assessment. This project provides an opportunity to develop a fictional individual (who may or may not be based on an actual individual) who requires a comprehensive assessment in order to increase their understanding of their strengths and weaknesses in cognition, learning, behaviour, and/or personality. Depending on the age you select for the fictional case, you may choose tests and measures for specialized populations such as preschool, school age, or adulthood (including old age). The hypothetical characteristics listed below may assist you in developing the characteristic strengths and weaknesses of your client/student, which are to be included in the referral information.

In conducting this assignment, you will want to gather pertinent background information to assist you in developing an assessment plan. You will need to consider and select the tools that would best offer the results needed to support a follow-up process or make a decision. You will critically analyze the strengths and limitations of the assessment tools selected and discuss reasons that other tools were considered not appropriate for this individual. You are not limited to the assessment tools outlined in the text if you can provide an adequate rationale for your choice.

Your assessment plan for your fictional individual should include the following:

o Provide a summary of the individual, referral concerns, areas of strength and needs. Include identifying information such as name, age, gender, grade/school status, etc. Identify the purpose of the assessment (e.g., to identify specific areas of concern, to identify appropriate strategies for intervention related to the specific concern, etc.)

o Identify at least one intelligence test and one achievement test that might be used, and discuss why you have chosen to use these tests.

o Are there indicators of neurological deficits, such as attention, memory, and executive functioning? Identify assessment tools that are appropriate, and provide a rationale for your choice of assessment tool.

o Describe any ethical and cultural issues, as well as ways of addressing these, in your assessment plan. Discuss appropriate accommodations (special populations) in your assessment procedures.