7. Report Writing

Question 1

What are the two reasons for assessment (according to VIDA)

Answer 1

1. Describe

2. Diagnose

Question 2

What are the two comparison standards for assessment?

Answer 2

1. Normative - measures of population averages. Requires species-wide expectations
2. Individual - comparison of an individual premorbid and current levels of functioning

Question 3

What is/ and the purpose of a scatter analysis

Answer 3

Scatter analysis requires you to look at individual test scores of a measure (e.g score in a verbal memory task compared to score in a visual memory task). If scores differ within a measure = scatter suggesting specific difficulties not global difficulties.

Non-impaired people don’t have discrepancies or scatter.

Question 4

What are cut-off raw scores in tests?

Answer 4

A particular number and if the clients score falls either side it will indicate either an impairment or normal functioning.

Tests with cut-off raw scores = Mini MSE or DASS.

Question 5

What is the most common way to report test scores?

Answer 5

Convert the clients raw score into a standard score according to a normal distribution of scores in a non-impaired population, which is then plotted on a normal curve for interpretation.

Raw score conversions are helpful as they allow you to compare scores irrespective of what test they came from

Question 6

How do you calculate a standard Z score from a raw score?

Answer 6

Raw score - test mean / test standard deviation.

For indexes - M = 100, SD = 15
For subtests - M = 10, SD = 3

Question 7

What are the Five report writing standards?

Answer 7

1. Comprehensiveness: Referral question is clear, history, observations, and summary is included. Comments are not vague but specific to clients unique aspects
2. Integration: Should included at LEAST three different sources. Do not write a test by test description instead organise around domains
3. Validity: interpretation are consistent with literature, sensitive to issues (cultural diversity or age), conclusion/diagnoses reasonable. Indicate the degree of certainty e.g. “probably indicates”
4. Client-centered: Not test focuses - recommendations are clear, specific and reasonable to the client
5. Overall writing: Jargon free - does not include test response examples (tests are protected

Question 8

What are the six sections of a report?

Answer 8

1. Referral question (nature of problem/reason for referral)
2. Evaluation procedures (tests, interviews, review of previous reports etc)
3. Background information (only relevant to referral)
4. Behavioural observations
5. Interpretation and impressions (main body of report described in domains of functioning)
6. Summary and recommendations

Question 9

What are some types of recommendations in a report?

Answer 9

Treatment (e.g psychotherapy)

Placement (e.g special education)

Further evaluation (e.g MRI)

Self-help (e.g support groups)

Alteration in environment (e.g medication alarm)