The purpose of an assessment is to determine why school or work is challenging – and what to do about it.  While every assessment is individualized, the following outlines the general process of what to expect when you work with me.

• History and Interviews: My first step is to learn as much about you or your child as possible. This most often involves interviews with family and caregivers, formal questionnaires, and a review of records.
• Observation:  For children, I will observe them at school during academic and social times to see how they interact with the learning environment.
• 1-1 Testing: Direct testing includes two or three sessions to complete specific activities that assess areas such as cognitive ability, problem solving, auditory and visual processing, memory, academics, social skills, emotional processing, and behavior.  Specific tests are chosen based on the student’s individual challenges.
• Written Report and Feedback Meeting: The written report includes the results of the assessment, an analysis of the student’s learning profile (including a diagnosis when applicable), and – most importantly – an individualized plan with concrete recommendations for home and school.  We meet to review this report in detail and help you identify your next steps.
• Helping Your Child Understand: Throughout our sessions, your child and I will talk about the brain and how it learns and grows.  For very young children, this may include introducing some basic neuroanatomical vocabulary as well as Growth Mindset language you can continue to use at home to help them maintain a strong sense of themselves as a learner.  For students in K-8, we create a book together called “The Brain Building Book,” where they document what they learned about themselves throughout the assessment, and develop language for self-advocacy in grade school, college and beyond.  For high school and adult students, we have a more detailed conversation throughout the assessment to ensure they walk away with a strong sense of self and learning.
• Meeting with School/Work: For children, I meet with school staff to discuss the results and talk about new ways to support the child at school.  For adults, I consult with school or work to ensure proper accommodations are implemented.
• Community Connections: From therapy to Parkour classes, community resources are critical for supporting any struggling learner.  I am happy to recommend providers who will best be able to support your and your child’s needs.
• Follow Up: Many parents and adult clients find that additional questions arise down the road.  For this reason, we will check in 3-6 months after the final meeting to ensure you fully understand the assessment and that the recommendations are effective.

Questions about assessment?  Just ask!