Evaluations and Screenings
Evaluations are designed to answer the questions parents or an adult client may have. A few sample questions include:
"Do I (or does my child) have a learning disorder? or ADHD? or both?"
"What are executive functions?"
"Am I a typical learner? or "How do I learn best?"
"Would I qualify as a person who could apply for test accommodations?"
"Has learning improved since the last testing?"
"Can you update my academic testing?"
"Is there 'something else' going on that is impacting learning?"
"Is there a learning disorder or other diagnosable condition that is contributing to behavioral issues or social skill difficulty?"
"What is the best approach to teach my child?"
Tests are selected based on the nature of the presenting problem. Therefore, I do not use a "standard battery" for all individuals. Depending on the nature of a presenting question, I may conduct an evaluation in collaboration with a licensed clinical psychologist. In these cases the final report will include both my findings as a learning specialist, and the psychologist's findings.
All evaluations include:
Screenings:
Learning screenings are available for high school and college students. Screenings do not provide, or rule out a diagnosis. Screenings are designed to provide information about learning style, processing information under time constraints, and overall academic strengths and needs.
All screenings include:
"Do I (or does my child) have a learning disorder? or ADHD? or both?"
"What are executive functions?"
"Am I a typical learner? or "How do I learn best?"
"Would I qualify as a person who could apply for test accommodations?"
"Has learning improved since the last testing?"
"Can you update my academic testing?"
"Is there 'something else' going on that is impacting learning?"
"Is there a learning disorder or other diagnosable condition that is contributing to behavioral issues or social skill difficulty?"
"What is the best approach to teach my child?"
Tests are selected based on the nature of the presenting problem. Therefore, I do not use a "standard battery" for all individuals. Depending on the nature of a presenting question, I may conduct an evaluation in collaboration with a licensed clinical psychologist. In these cases the final report will include both my findings as a learning specialist, and the psychologist's findings.
All evaluations include:
- Developmental, medical, and educational history
- Intake interview (1 hour)
- 3-7 hours of testing depending on the nature of the referral
- A feedback conference (1.5 hours)
- A narrative report that includes test scores, interpretation, determination of a suspected condition(s), and recommendations. In all evaluations the report is designed to answer the presenting question. Reports are completed three weeks after the parent conference.
- The type of testing is based on the nature of the referral. Based on information collected in the initial interview, I may recommend that the evaluation be conducted in collaboration with one of my associates, a licensend clinical psychologist, in order to consider conditions other than Specific Learning DIsabilities. These other conditions include anxiety, depression, spectrum disorders, or ADHD (if ADHD has never been diagnosed). All findings are compiled in one report and authored by both professionals. Recommendations include both those that pertain to behavior and social needs (if any), comprehensive supports for school, and standardized test accommodaitons (See MASSive). Team evaluations are highly effective and all testing is done in the Portola Valley or Half Moon Bay offices.
Screenings:
Learning screenings are available for high school and college students. Screenings do not provide, or rule out a diagnosis. Screenings are designed to provide information about learning style, processing information under time constraints, and overall academic strengths and needs.
All screenings include:
- Developmental, medical, and educational history
- Intake interview (1 hour)
- 1-2 hours of testing
- A feedback conference (1 hour)
- A brief narrative report that includes test scores, interpretation, and recommendations. The report is completed within 3-5 days after the conference.