Learn about the evaluation process
Types of assessments include:
Intellectual – Also known as IQ testing, intellectual assessment measures a child’s overall cognitive potential, as well as levels of functioning in the areas of verbal problem-solving, non-verbal problem-solving, working memory, and processing speed.
Achievement – Achievement testing assesses the level of knowledge a child has in the areas of math, reading, spelling, and writing. When assessing for a possible learning disability academic testing is done in conjunction with IQ testing to determine whether a child’s cognitive potential matches achievement.
Psycho-Educational – Psycho-Educational evaluations are designed to measure a child’s intellectual abilities as well their current levels of achievement, in the context of their behavior and social-emotional funcioning.
Neuropsychological – Neuropsychological testing measures several aspects of processing which include attention, executive-functioning, memory, auditory processing, language and visual-motor integration. Neuropsychological testing is a critical component of better understanding a child’s processing strengths and weaknesses.
Emotional, Social, and Behavioral – A child’s emotional, social, and behavioral functioning is assessed using a variety of parent, teacher, and self-report measures, as well, as interviewing the child and parents. Qualitative information is gathered by observing and interacting with your child throughout the evaluation process and may include a school observation.
Components of an evaluation:
Components included in an evaluation are based on the goals of the evaluation and the questions to be answered. Depending on the scope of the evaluation, it may include:
• Interview with parents
• Interview with the child
• School observation
• Approximately 2-8 hours of testing with the child
• Questionnaires completed by parents, child, and teachers
• Comprehensive written report with recommendations for parents and school
• Feedback session with parents
• Feedback session with student
All evaluations will end with a “demystification.” This is a process of feedback in which Dr. Bonardi will help a child and their parents understand specific strengths and weaknesses as they relate to specific skills. Providing children with language and insight into their strengths and weaknesses will empower and help the child become part of the solution team. It will encourage the child to collaborate with parent and teachers and restore optimism and set a clear vision of goals for the future. This process is the beginning of a new understanding and acceptance, which will promote self-awareness and set the student up for self-advocacy and an action plan.