Comprehensive Evaluations

Neuropsychological, Psychological, and Educational Evaluations

A pediatric neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that examines a child’s or adolescent’s specific profile of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Skills assessed may include cognitive/thinking ability, attentional and organizational skills, visual-spatial ability, memory and learning skills, problem solving and reasoning, integration and output abilities academic development, emotional, behavioral, and social functioning, and skills of daily living.

The assessment aims to provide a clear understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges, offering tailored recommendations for educational, vocational, and intervention planning to support their growth and success. Objective data from formal testing can provide valuable support when advocating for accommodations and interventions with the school, especially in areas that may not have been identified through school assessments.

Each evaluation includes a thorough history, comprehensive record review, the core assessment, and a detailed report outlining the history, test results, diagnostic impressions, recommendations, and next steps. Additionally, a face-to-face feedback session is provided, along with ongoing developmental management and consultation as needed or requested. Read More for additional details.

Dyslexia Evaluations

Dyslexia is a neurologically-based learning disability that affects accurate and fluent word recognition, spelling, and decoding skills. These challenges often stem from difficulties with the phonological aspect of language, which can be surprising given the individual’s other cognitive strengths and access to effective instruction. Secondary effects may include issues with reading comprehension and reduced reading experience, which can hinder vocabulary development and background knowledge. It’s important to note that many individuals with dyslexia possess average to above-average intelligence.

If you suspect a child has dyslexia, an evaluation can provide a clearer understanding of the issue and guide treatment recommendations. Early identification and intervention are crucial for the best outcomes, though dyslexia can be assessed at any age, with signs often appearing as early as 5 or 6 years old. The specific tests and procedures will vary depending on the person’s age and symptoms. A dyslexia assessment typically focuses on areas such as phonological processing, rapid naming, receptive and expressive language abilities, sound-symbol association, spelling, written expression, and visual processing and retention.

Autism Spectrum Evaluations

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication. An ASD assessment aims to provide a clear diagnosis, determining whether an individual falls on the spectrum. People with ASD may communicate, interact, and learn in ways that differ from others, with these differences ranging from subtle to more apparent. Due to these social differences, teachers, peers, and parents may struggle to connect with individuals with ASD. Learning abilities can vary widely, from gifted to severely challenged, making it essential to understand each individual’s unique needs for effective treatment planning. ASD now includes conditions once diagnosed separately, such as autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome.

A comprehensive evaluation is necessary to assess the social, emotional, and academic challenges specific to each individual, helping to identify needs and develop an effective intervention plan.

Our evaluation goals: