EVALUATION PROCESS | drcatherine

The Initial Contact

When parents initially contact me about a possible evaluation, my goal is to listen to their specific concerns, provide an overview of the testing process and how this may be helpful for their child, and to answer any questions they may have. Evaluations are individualized to meet each child’s needs, and that process of starts with the initial contact.

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THE EVALUATION PROCESS

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Parent (and Child) Interview

The first meeting is an opportunity to gather background history and to further explore the areas of concern and strength for the child. Areas covered will include developmental milestones, social and emotional life, and behavior at home and school. Parents are encouraged to provide school records, test results, and/or teacher notes. If appropriate based on age and need, the child may also be included in part of this meeting so that he or she can express his or her concerns and experiences directly. This is also an opportunity for parents to get to know me and my approach to testing. I believe that is important for children and families to feel comfortable and supported throughout the evaluation process, as making the decision to seek an evaluation can be a stressful one.

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Testing Sessions

As stated, each evaluation is individualized to best meet the age and needs of your child. Therefore, testing sessions may range from 2-4 sessions varying in length. The goal is to gain an understanding of your child’s full potential within a comfortable and welcoming environment and thus children are not rushed during this process. Psycho-educational assessments include a focus on understanding cognitive, academic, memory, processing speed and efficiency, memory, attention, and language abilities. Psychological evaluations also include a further evaluation of a child’s social and emotional functioning and development.

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Sharing the Results

After the evaluation and report are completed, I meet with the parents and the child (either together or separately based on age and need) to share the results in detail. These meetings are scheduled for 1-2 hour blocks to ensure that families have the time to ask any questions that arise and that they feel very comfortable in understanding the results and recommendations. Parents are provided with a detailed written report, including results, recommendations, and diagnostic impressions. When feedback is given to students my aim is to educate and empower each child to be able to recognize their strengths and those factors that may help support their success in areas of greater difficulty. The goal is to help student understand their optimal learning style and to provide encouragement and support for them to achieve success.

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Collaboration with Schools & Specialists

After providing results and recommendations, I am happy to join parents in advocating for their child by meeting with teachers, attending Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings, or sharing results with other professionals. Working collaboratively with your child’s school is essential in developing an appropriate and support learning environment to enhance their learning potential. Just as evaluations are individualized, the recommendations and supportive services identified need to be tailored to meet your child’s specific learning style.