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Psychoeducational Assessments
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Psychoeducational assessments evaluate a child or adolescent’s learning profile, including academic skills, cognitive functioning, and executive functioning. These assessments help identify learning disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, written expression difficulties, and ADHD-related learning challenges. Having a personal understanding of dyslexia through my daughter’s experience allows me to provide an empathetic and informed approach to these evaluations. Evaluations can also include classroom observations, and I am available to attend IEP meetings as needed. I can provide academic accommodations and behavioral recommendations that can be implemented at home. I also conduct Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) when requested by parents or schools.
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Learning Differences That Can Be Assessed:
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Dyslexia: Difficulty with reading accuracy, fluency, and/or comprehension
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Dyscalculia: Challenges with math concepts, number sense, and calculations
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Dysgraphia: Difficulties with handwriting, spelling, and written expression
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Processing Differences: Challenges in memory, auditory or visual processing, and speed of learning
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Attention and Executive Functioning: Difficulty sustaining focus, organizing tasks, or regulating impulses
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What a Psychoeducational Assessment Involves:
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Clinical interviews with the child and caregivers to gather developmental, educational, and medical history
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Questionnaires and behavior rating scales completed by parents and teachers
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Direct testing of cognitive skills, mood, academic achievement, attention, and executive functioning
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Observation during testing to evaluate learning style, motivation, and approach to tasks
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Review of school records, past evaluations, and classroom performance
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A school visit to observe the child in their classroom, if appropriate
Psychological Assessments
Psychological assessments evaluate emotional, behavioral, and personality functioning to help identify conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-related concerns, and personality disorders. These assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of a client’s mental health, emotional regulation, coping strategies, and overall functioning, helping guide therapy and intervention planning. Psychological assessments can be especially helpful for diagnostic clarity and for individuals who are already in therapy but feel stuck or uncertain about next steps. Each evaluation is tailored to the individual’s needs and concerns.
Psychological assessments can be very helpful because they provide clarity and direction when someone is struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or socially. Here are a few key reasons:
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Diagnostic clarity – Many mental health concerns (like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma) can overlap in how they look and feel. Testing helps tease apart what’s really going on so that treatment can be more targeted and effective.
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Understanding strengths and challenges – Assessments don’t just look at problems; they highlight coping skills, personality patterns, and areas of resilience that can be built upon in therapy or daily life.
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Guiding therapy – If someone is already in counseling but feels “stuck,” testing can uncover underlying factors (such as trauma responses, perfectionism, or attention difficulties) that may be getting in the way of progress.
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Treatment planning – Results can help inform whether medication, a specific type of therapy, or lifestyle changes might be most beneficial.
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Personal insight – Many people find relief in finally having language to describe their experiences and a clear explanation for what they’ve been feeling.
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Preparing for Any Assessment (Children, Adolescents, or Adults)
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Get a good night’s sleep before testing
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Maintain usual routines and eat a healthy breakfast
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Bring any completed forms, school reports, or relevant documentation
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Take prescribed medications as discussed with the clinician
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Bring a water bottle or small snack if needed
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