This involves using standardized (highly structured) tests to determine your child’s strengths and weaknesses and how these may impact school performance and behavior. In young children, these tests measure developmental levels for thinking, motor, and language skills.
- All testing is one-on-one so that Dr. Emily can focus solely on your child.
- For infants and toddlers, you will be with your child throughout the assessment.
- For children age 4 and up, testing is typically conducted without you in the room.
- Testing is not invasive. There are no shots, blood work, or devices hooked up to your child. Testing looks a lot like school based activities (answering questions, looking at pictures, building items, reading, writing, and math).
An assessment includes an initial meeting, testing session, and a feedback meeting.
- An initial consultation meeting to discuss your concerns and your child’s history.
- The assessment involves anywhere from an hour of testing (for infants) to approximately 5 hours for older children. The testing is often conducted during one day; however, sometimes we need to spread the session out over several days.
- A feedback meeting is scheduled for 1-2 weeks after the testing appointment. During this meeting, we review the results of your child’s testing, any new diagnoses, and our recommendations. When a child has a neurological condition, we will also discuss what is known about strengths, weaknesses, and prognosis in this condition. All of this information will be summarized in a written report.
Serial assessments (typically each year) can be used to help monitor your child’s development over time and determine if supports are working effectively.