Essentials of Assessment Report Writing

Clearly and engagingly presents comprehensive guidance on assessment report writing Describes a coherent framework for writing reports that instill hope, promote understanding, and inspire effective action Includes illustrative case reports with incisive commentary by leading assessment experts The bestselling assessment reporting guide, updated with new annotated cases, critical decision making, up-to-date instrument coverage, and more Essentials of Assessment Report Writing offers mental health professionals critical guidance on informative, accurate, readable assessment reporting. Currently, the field faces three pervasive problems with assessment reports: first, wide variations in style and content mean that many reports fail to reflect best practices; second, time constraints frequently position report writing as a battle of efficiency versus completeness; third, test-by-test reporting is often jargon-laden and highly technical, making it difficult for parents, teachers, and other professionals to understand. This book addresses these issues with clear, concise guidance on efficiently and effectively communicating referral and background information, appearance and behavioral observations, test results and interpretation, summary and diagnostic impressions, and treatment recommendations. Newly recalibrated to better meet the needs of current practice, this new Second Edition features DSM-5 updates, expanded guidance on readability, and annotated case reports highlighting reporting style as well as critical decision points in the interpretive process. Coverage of the latest assessment instruments includes the WJ IV, WISC-V, WAIS-IV, KTEA-3, and CAS2, while Rapid References, Caution Boxes, and end-of-chapter questions reinforce key concepts and facilitate quick reference. Assessment reports are critical to the diagnostic process, bringing together academic, personality, neuropsychological, and behavioral strengths and weaknesses to provide a comprehensive picture of a child's overall function to better inform intervention. Essentials of Assessment Report Writing helps practitioners integrate technical information into a global report more useful for planning and treatment purposes. Other titles in the Essentials of Psychological Assessment series: Essentials of Assessment Report Writing Essentials of Processing Assessment Essentials of WISC®-IV Assessment, Second Edition Essentials of WIAT®-II and KTEA-II Assessment Essentials of WJ III® Cognitive Abilities Assessment Essentials of WJ III® Tests of Achievement Assessment Essentials of WPPSI-III Assessment Essentials of Cross-Battery Assessment, Third Edition Essentials of KABC-II Assessment Essentials of WMS®-III Assessment Essentials of Specific Learning Disability Identification Essentials of Evidence-Based Academic Interventions