Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
We evaluate students who are in the first grade through college who may be demonstrating academic struggles in the areas of reading, writing and/or math, difficulty sustaining attention in the classroom, problems with physical restlessness (hyperactivity) or impulsivity, and/or trouble with planning, organization and time management. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation entails input from parents and, when feasible, teachers, along with administration of formal measures that assess several areas of cognitive processing (verbal abilities, visual-spatial abilities, memory, attention, and executive functions) and academic skills in the areas of reading (decoding, comprehension and reading speed), written language (spelling, written expression, writing fluency and handwriting) and math (calculation and applied problem solving), as well as a brief social/emotional screening. The process consists of an initial interview with parents (during which concerns and background information are discussed), approximately seven to eight hours of one-to-one testing with the student spread out over two or three appointments and a detailed parent feedback session approximately two weeks later at which time the results of the evaluation are discussed and a comprehensive report is provided.
ADHD Screening
For children six and older, we offer a brief assessment of attention and executive functioning that involves an initial parent interview and a two-hour testing session with the student, during which only attention and executive functioning are evaluated. Parent, teacher and self-report forms are also completed as part of the screening process. Approximately one week after the testing, parents return to the office for a detailed feedback session, at which time the report is reviewed and provided.
Admissions Testing
Admissions testing for application to independent schools is offered for students age two-and-a-half and older, and consists of administration of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) and/or the Woodcock-Johnson IV: Tests of Achievement (WJ-IV). Admissions testing appointments last approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on the age of the child. Following testing, a narrative report is sent to parents and to each of the schools that they have designated. A consultation appointment is also available for parents who wish to discuss their child's testing performance in more detail.
Feedback Conference for Student
For students over the age of ten, following a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation or ADHD Screening, a feedback session is available during which the evaluator meets one-to-one with the student to highlight the student’s areas of strength and challenge, as appropriate, and to discuss strategies and recommendations to support success.