Our Services

Comprehensive Learning Assessment

We offer comprehensive psychological assessments for children and adolescents. These in-depth evaluations provide a thorough understanding of your child’s cognitive, developmental, academic, and/or behavioral functioning, offering valuable insights for parents, educators, and other professionals.

What is a Comprehensive Learning Assessment?

A comprehensive learning assessment is a detailed evaluation designed to explore your child’s or adolescent’s strengths and challenges across multiple domains. Unlike screenings, which offer a brief overview, these assessments involve a more extensive process that may include:

Clinical Interviews: In-depth conversations with parents, the child/adolescent, and sometimes teachers or other relevant individuals to gather detailed history and current concerns.
Standardized Testing: Administration of a variety of well-researched and reliable tests to assess specific areas such as:
- Cognitive Abilities: Intellectual functioning, learning potential, and specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses (e.g., memory, processing speed, executive functions).
- Developmental Functioning: Evaluation of developmental milestones in areas like motor skills, language, social-emotional development, and adaptive behavior (depending on the child’s age).
- Academic Achievement: Comprehensive assessment of reading, writing, math, and other academic skills to identify learning patterns and potential learning disabilities.
- Behavioral and Emotional Functioning: Use of rating scales, questionnaires, and sometimes direct observation to evaluate emotional regulation, social skills, attention, activity levels, and the presence of any behavioral or emotional difficulties.
Integrative Report: A comprehensive written report summarizing the findings, providing diagnostic impressions when appropriate, and offering tailored recommendations and strategies.
Feedback Session: A detailed discussion of the assessment results and recommendations with parents/guardians.

The specific components of a comprehensive psychological assessment are tailored to the individual needs and referral questions for each child or adolescent.

What are the Benefits of a Comprehensive Learning Assessment?

Investing in a comprehensive learning assessment can provide profound benefits for your child and your family:

Accurate Identification of Underlying Issues: These assessments can help to accurately identify the presence of learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and other developmental or psychological conditions.
In-Depth Understanding of Strengths and Weaknesses: You’ll gain a detailed understanding of your child’s unique profile, including their cognitive strengths, areas of challenge, learning style, and behavioral patterns.
Evidence-Based Recommendations: The assessment results lead to evidence-based and individualized recommendations for academic interventions, behavioral strategies, therapeutic support, and environmental modifications at home and school.
Personalized Educational Planning: The findings can be crucial for developing effective Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans in collaboration with the school.
Guidance for Therapeutic Interventions: The assessment can inform the type of therapy or support services that would be most beneficial for your child’s specific needs.
Improved Communication Among Stakeholders: The comprehensive report facilitates clear and effective communication among parents, educators, therapists, and other professionals involved in your child’s care.
Empowerment for Parents and Children: Understanding the root of your child’s challenges can be empowering, providing clarity and a roadmap for support and growth.
Support for Informed Decision-Making: The assessment provides a solid foundation for making informed decisions about your child’s educational, therapeutic, and developmental path.

If you have concerns about multiple areas of your child’s development or learning, or if previous screenings or interventions have not provided sufficient answers, a comprehensive learning assessment can offer the in-depth understanding needed to support their optimal well-being and success. Please contact us to discuss your specific concerns and determine if a comprehensive assessment is the right step for your child.

Academic Screening

As school psychologists with expertise in child development and learning, we offer comprehensive academic screenings designed to provide valuable insights into your child’s current academic skills. These screenings are a proactive and efficient way to understand your child’s strengths and identify any areas where they might benefit from additional support.

What is an Academic Screening?

An academic screening is a brief, yet targeted, assessment that evaluates foundational academic skills crucial for success in school. Unlike in-depth psychoeducational evaluations, which are more comprehensive and often used to diagnose learning disabilities, academic screenings offer a snapshot of your child’s abilities in key areas such as:

Early Literacy Skills: Phonological awareness (rhyming, sound identification), letter knowledge, and early reading skills.
Basic Numeracy Skills: Number sense, counting, and early math concepts.
Written Expression: Basic writing skills and the ability to communicate ideas in writing.

These screenings utilize standardized, research-based measures administered in a comfortable and child-friendly environment. The process is typically shorter and less intensive than a full evaluation, making it a convenient option for parents seeking initial information about their child’s academic progress.

What are the Benefits of an Academic Screening?

Investing in an academic screening for your child can offer numerous benefits:

Early Identification of Potential Learning Gaps: Screenings can help identify areas where your child may be struggling before these challenges significantly impact their academic progress and self-esteem. Early identification allows for timely intervention and support.
Understanding Your Child’s Learning Strengths: It’s not just about identifying challenges! Screenings also highlight your child’s academic strengths, providing a more complete picture of their learning profile. This information can be valuable for tailoring learning experiences to your child’s individual needs.
Informing Educational Decisions: The results of the screening can provide valuable information to guide educational decisions, such as the need for targeted tutoring, specific classroom accommodations, or further comprehensive evaluation if indicated.
Facilitating Communication with Schools: The screening report can serve as a helpful tool for communicating your observations and concerns with your child’s teachers and school support staff, fostering a collaborative approach to your child’s education.
Peace of Mind for Parents: For parents who have concerns about their child’s academic development, a screening can provide clarity and direction, offering peace of mind or a roadmap for next steps.
Proactive Approach to Learning: By understanding your child’s academic profile early on, you can take a proactive approach to supporting their learning journey and setting them up for future academic success.

If you have any concerns about your child’s academic progress or simply want a better understanding of their current skill levels, an academic screening can be a valuable first step. Please contact us to learn more about the screening process and how it can benefit your child.

Behavior Screening

In addition to academic screenings, we also offer child behavior screenings to provide valuable information about your child’s social-emotional functioning and behavior patterns. We understand the crucial link between a child’s behavior and their overall well-being and academic success. These screenings offer a proactive way to identify potential behavioral concerns early on and support your child’s healthy development.

What is a Behavior Screening?

A behavior screening is a brief assessment designed to evaluate various aspects of your child’s behavior and social-emotional functioning. These screenings utilize standardized questionnaires and rating scales, often completed by parents, teachers, or sometimes even the child themselves (depending on their age and developmental level). The focus is on gathering information about common behavioral patterns and identifying potential areas of concern, such as:

Emotional Regulation: Difficulty managing emotions like anger, anxiety, or sadness.
Social Skills: Challenges in interacting with peers, following social rules, or understanding social cues.
Attention and Activity Levels: Difficulties with focus, impulsivity, or hyperactivity.
Oppositional Behaviors: Frequent defiance, arguing, or non-compliance.
Internalizing Behaviors: Signs of withdrawal, sadness, or excessive worry.

These screenings provide a broad overview of your child’s behavioral functioning and help to identify children who might benefit from further assessment or support. They are not intended to provide a diagnosis but rather to highlight areas that warrant closer attention.

What are the Benefits of a Behavior Screening?

A behavior screening can offer significant advantages for your child and your family:

Early Identification of Potential Behavioral Concerns: Just like with academic skills, early identification of behavioral challenges allows for timely intervention and support, potentially preventing more significant difficulties from developing.
Understanding Underlying Issues: Behavioral difficulties can sometimes be indicators of underlying emotional or developmental issues. Screenings can help flag these potential concerns for further exploration.
Facilitating Communication and Collaboration: The screening results can provide a common language for discussing your child’s behavior with teachers, counselors, and other professionals, fostering a more collaborative approach to support.
Guiding Intervention Strategies: Identifying specific behavioral patterns through screening can help inform the development of targeted and effective intervention strategies at home and at school.
Promoting Positive Social-Emotional Development: By addressing potential behavioral challenges early, you can help your child develop healthy coping mechanisms, social skills, and emotional regulation abilities, contributing to their overall well-being.
Reducing Stress for Families: Understanding and addressing behavioral concerns can reduce stress and improve the overall family dynamic.
Proactive Support for Your Child’s Success: Supporting your child’s behavioral health is just as important as supporting their academic growth. Behavior screenings offer a proactive way to ensure they have the social-emotional foundation for success in all areas of life.

If you have any concerns about your child’s behavior, social interactions, or emotional well-being, a behavior screening can provide valuable insights and guidance. Please reach out to learn more about the process and how it can help your child thrive.