Referrals & Admissions

Every referral to Meridell Achievement Center is considered on a case-by-case basis. Consideration includes review of prior treatment. Each patient’s apparent symptoms, medical records and our own assessments during intake determine the program to which they are admitted.

Patients are considered for each program based on clinical assessments and records, psycho-social history and other medical records. Admitted patients can transition between programs after further assessment, observation and progress. Tests, evaluations and medications can be utilized across programs.

• IQ (WISC-V; WAIS-IV for patients age 16 and older)
• Memory (WRAML-2)
• Executive functioning (Trails A & B)

Following the neuropsychologist’s consultation with the attending child and adolescent psychiatrist, any or all of the following assessments may be provided:

• Language (OWLS)
• Executive functioning
• Motor (pegboard, tapping)
• Achievement (WIAT-2)
• Connors

This involves a quantitative EEG evaluation with evoked potential (QEEG). It is reviewed by a pediatric neurologist in consultation with a pediatric neuropsychiatrist.

• Psychological testing and diagnostic interview
• Bender-Gestalt visual-motor test
• House-tree-person projective drawings
• Family drawing
• Rorschach ink blot test
• Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory-adolescent (MMPI-A) for patients age 13 and older
• Million pre-adolescent clinical inventory (M-PACI) for patients ages 9 through 12

For our behavioral programs, we look for symptoms that indicate repetitive negative coping skills:

• History of bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders or self-destructive behavior
• Dangerous behavior such as attempts or threats of self-harm, running away or promiscuity
• Poor social and planning skills
• Impulse control issues
• Oppositional behavior
• Family history of psychiatric illness
• Negative behaviors that are voluntary, calculated and manipulative

For our neurobehavioral programs, we look for symptoms that indicate neurological involvement or brain disorders:

• Irritable and explosive behavior (physical or verbal)
• Unprovoked aggression
• Poor social and planning skills
• Impulse control issues
• Short attention span
• Abnormal CT scan, MRI or EEG
• Early-onset bipolar disorder
• History of neurological disease
• Abnormal results on neurological tests
• Brain pathology which may be secondary to the mother’s substance abuse during pregnancy, head injury or other causes

• Patients with an IQ below 70
• Pregnant patients
• Primary chemical dependency issues
• Primary eating disorders
• Patients who have completed high school (school is an integral part of our program)
• Sexual offenders

Call Meridell Achievement Center at 512-528-2100 or 800-366-8656 to ask questions or make a referral. We proudly accept TRICARE® and most major insurance coverages.