Child Assessment and Evaluation

A Child Diagnostic Evaluation assesses difficulties in the behavioral, emotional and social realms of a child’s life. Initially, child assessment and evaluation begins with gathering essential diagnostic data. This generally includes a clinical interview with parents and identified child, a review of development, social functioning and relevant medical history. Standardized assessments may also be utilized. Following the evaluation, comprehensive feedback and treatment recommendations, tailored to your child will be provided.

A number of assessments are included in a Psycho educational evaluation such as, standardized intelligence testing, paper and pencil tasks and behavioral observations.  The types of assessments utilized will depend upon the age of your child.  At times, information may be requested from your child’s teacher.  Results obtained from this evaluation will help to identify specific areas of strengths and weaknesses, along with your child’s learning potential.

Emotional challenges in children can have important implications for their future development.  Therefore, it is important to understand the causes and symptoms of anxiety and depression, along with the best interventions to recognize and treat these disorders in children.

The assessment of anxiety and depression is an important part of an evidence-based practice and includes both interview and self-report instruments.  Initial assessments can help determine treatment options, can guide the course of treatment and can serve to gauge progress.

Play therapy is a psycho-therapeutic approach primarily used to help children ages 3 to 12 explore their lives, and freely express repressed thoughts and emotions through play. Therapeutic play normally takes place in a safe, comfortable playroom, where very few rules or limits are imposed on the child, encouraging free expression and allowing the therapist to observe the child’s choices, decisions, and play style. The goal is to help children learn to express themselves in healthier ways, become more respectful and empathetic, and discover new and more positive ways to solve problems.

Twice-exceptional students, abbreviated as 2e children, refers to gifted children who have some form of a disability.  These children are considered exceptional because of their giftedness and their special needs.  Your child may be intellectually gifted but struggles in school, due to a learning disability, ADHD or an emotional disorder.

Twice-exceptional students tend to face many challenges, such as frustration, difficulties with written expression, and poor organizational skills.   They may also fly under the radar, as parents and teachers fail to recognize their potential.  Identifying twice-exceptional students through child assessment and evaluation sessions will enable parents and educators to find ways for these children to make the most of their intellectual strengths and flourish.