Evaluations
Is your child struggling in school, having trouble focusing, or facing challenges with behavior or getting along with others at school? Has it been a few years since the last evaluation and you need an update to prepare for high school or college? My evaluations can help uncover the reasons behind your child's difficulties, equipping you with knowledge and insights that empower you to make informed decisions about how to support your child.
With a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to best practices, I specialize in assessing for neurodevelopmental disorders when there is an impact on learning, behavior, or social interactions at school, such as Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Intellectual Disability, and anxiety, as well as in behavior assessments.
Types of Evaluations
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These comprehensive evaluations provide a holistic, thorough analysis of a child's cognitive, learning and memory, executive functioning, social-emotional, academic, and adaptive skills to uncover strengths, weaknesses, and potential clinical disorders based on the DSM-5-TR.
This forms the groundwork for crafting targeted treatment plans and potential access to specialized services provided by schools.
In public schools, these evaluations determine special education eligibility, distinct from a clinical DSM-5 diagnosis. They also may inform accommodations or 504 Plans. Private schools often request either type of evaluation.
Evaluations are always completed by licensed, experienced professionals, rather than interns or graduate students.
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Experience matters. As a seasoned educational evaluator, I specialize in IEEs (psychoeducational and FBA)- assessments funded by school districts when parents seek an impartial review of their child's educational needs.
An effective IEE needs to do more than just identify challenges - it must provide clear, realistic solutions that truly work for both your child and their school. My background as a former district evaluator gives me unique insight that many outside evaluators don't have. I understand how schools function from the inside, allowing me to bridge the gap between what your child needs and what schools can realistically provide.
I use this expertise to create thorough, well-reasoned recommendations that not only support your child's growth but can be successfully implemented at school. This practical understanding, combined with my commitment to quality assessment, helps create positive change for your child.
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This is appropriate if your primary concern is whether your child has a learning disability (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia) and there are no other concerns with attention, organization, social emotional, or behavior (or this has already been identified).
If there is already an established disability and you or your child’s school are requiring an updated assessment since interventions have been in place, then this would likely consist of testing in academics, relevant neuropsychological areas, andan update on recommendations.
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An FBA is a systematic process used to understand why challenging behaviors occur and how they can be effectively addressed, whether at school or home. Through meticulous observation and analysis, triggers, antecedents, and consequences of problematic behaviors are identified and an individualized behavior plan is developed for positive change.
As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I am uniquely qualified to conduct FBAs due to specialized training and expertise in behavior analysis techniques and principles.
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For ages 2 years,6 months-18 years: Cognitive or IQ testing is provided using the Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WISC, WPPSI, or WAIS, depending on age) and includes a report on the various domains of intelligence, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, visual spatial, working memory, and processing speed.
An IQ score is often needed when applying to gifted programs or for scholarships.
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If your child shows signs of giftedness and yet is struggling socially or academically, an evaluation will help determine if your child is “twice exceptional” - both intellectually gifted and has one or more learning differences, such as dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, etc.
Depending on your unique situation, either a comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation or just an IQ/Gifted testing may be recommended if there is an established disoder or learning difference.
What is the typical evaluation process?
The timeline varies depending on the type of evaluation, the current waiting list, and the family’s availability.
Most evaluations include these components:
Review of relevant school and/or health records
Parent/guardian intake/interview.
If appropriate : Observations at school to see what factors in the settings enable or impede learning, and to observe peer interactions.
2-4 testing appointments in two hour blocks (with breaks!) Saturday appointments are available.
Information from teachers and/or service providers are gathered via interviews and analysis of questionnaires.
A feedback meeting with parents/guardian is held to ensure understanding of the results and recommendations.
A final comprehensive written report with the above information is sent to parents, with the option for a shortened summary.
IQ/Gifted testing has the fastest turnaround time: it includes a two hour testing session and a 30 minute feedback session.
Let’s Talk
Schedule a free, 15 minute consultation for my rates or to see what type of evaluation is appropriate by sending a message or checking my availability here: