WAIT TIME TO BEGIN ASSESSMENT IS APPROXIMATELY 9-12 MONTHS
DRES offers psychological assessment for University of Illinois degree-seeking students who have had no prior diagnosis/testing and are experiencing significant academic distress. DRES conducts testing for neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, specific learning disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.
Please Note: If you have a prior diagnosis/testing, you may already be eligible to register with DRES. Please see the DRES Documentation Requirements page for more information.
— Quote from a student who went through the assessment process“Thanks for your help, I can’t express this enough. I have to say that I only began this process under duress as I’d always considered the ADHD diagnosis as another manifestation of our culture’s fad for dodging personal responsibility and discipline. I was very much mistaken. I’ve been using the meds prescribed by my doctor and for the first time in my life I can actually sit and concentrate for more than a few minutes. I simply did not realize how cluttered my mind was until now, no more waking up at 3 a.m. with my mind racing either. This will make the adjustment to a faculty position much more manageable. Thanks a ton!”
Assessment Process
DRES offers psychological assessment for University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign degree-seeking students who have had no prior diagnosis/testing and are experiencing significant academic distress. We assess for neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, specific learning disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.
What is the Process Like?
Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing, the assessment may include evaluating one or more of the following areas:
- Attention and executive functioning processes
- Intellectual functioning
- Academic achievement
- Memory
- Behavior
- Social-emotional functioning
- Mental health history
All psychological testing takes place in person at DRES. Evaluations are conducted by either a licensed clinical psychologist or a psychology practicum student, predoctoral intern, or postdoc being supervised by a licensed clinical psychologist.
- First, you will complete a two- to three-hour clinical interview. During the interview, you will provide detailed information about your current concerns and history, including your functioning throughout childhood.
- Following the initial interview, additional assessments will be conducted to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition to your own participation, you may be asked to have someone who knows you well (e.g., a parent, partner, or roommate) complete rating scales related to your concerns. Step 2 typically takes several hours (i.e., four to twelve) spread across several appointments.
- Following the assessment, you will meet with your clinician for 30 minutes to one hour to discuss the findings and next steps.
Please note that this process does not include prescribing medication. Findings from the psychological assessment may guide a discussion with a psychiatrist or other medical provider. Still, we cannot guarantee you will be prescribed medication following the assessment.
How Do I Sign Up for an Assessment?
WAIT TIME TO BEGIN ASSESSMENT IS APPROXIMATELY 9-12 MONTHS
ADHD Assessment
If you have longstanding concerns about the presence of ADHD, you are encouraged to speak to a provider about your symptoms and discuss whether an evaluation for ADHD is appropriate. A referring provider may be a medical provider, such as a medical doctor or nurse practitioner, or a mental health clinician. Please have your provider reach out to DRES by completing the referral form. (Please do not use this form to register with DRES. Find information about DRES registration here.)
Your provider’s referral should summarize:
- Your longstanding symptoms
- Evidence that competing diagnoses that have been ruled out
- Evidence that other potential factors (e.g. life events) have also been ruled out
- A rationale for recommending an evaluation
The referral form can be emailed to Dr. Hollie McClintick, mailed to DRES, or faxed to 217-244-0014. Once DRES receives the referral from your provider, your referral form will be reviewed. If we determine that you are an appropriate candidate for the DRES assessment, you will be put on our waitlist.
Specific Learning Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
If you would like to be assessed for a specific learning disorder in reading, math, or written expression or autism spectrum disorder, please email Dr. Hollie McClintick with specific details about your concerns and history. If you are an appropriate candidate for DRES assessment, you will be placed on our waitlist.